The BC SPCA’s South Okanagan/Silmilkameen Branch is issuing an SOS of its own. The branch, located at 2200 Dartmouth Drive in Penticton, has been inundated with an extraordinary number of homeless and injured animals from the community during the first two months of 2012.
“We care for nearly 1,200 abused and homeless animals every year so we’re always extremely busy, but we’ve just been overwhelmed with animals so far this year,” says branch manager Tracy Westmoreland. “The shelter is filled to capacity and we have a waiting list for pet guardians seeking to surrender their animals.” Adding to the pressure, she says, are large medical costs for animals seized in recent cruelty investigations, including more than 20 sick and injured cats and several small dogs.
“We’re caring for an exceptionally high number of animals who have been rescued from dangerous and neglectful situations and many of them require specialized veterinary care,” says Westmoreland. “We really need the community’s help in supporting these animals.” She notes that the SPCA is a non-profit organization which relies entirely on public donations to help animals in distress.
In addition to financial help, the branch is seeking loving homes for the many healthy, adoptable animals in its care. “We have so many wonderful animals who desperately want to be part of a family,” says Westmoreland. To view animals for adoption, visit spca.bc.ca/adopt or visit the Penticton shelter from noon to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
To make a donation to help the animals, please visit spca.bc.ca/support, call 250-493-0136 or mail your gift to the BC SPCA South Okanagan/Similkameen Branch, 2200 Dartmouth Drive, Penticton, V2A, 7W7.