...you can help your local BCSPCA shelter. Volunteering, either at the Shuswap shelter or on its Community Advisory Committee (CAC) or fundraising committee, is a great way to meet new people and know that you are helping this community's animals. 2003 brought 354 dogs and 593 cats into the Shuswap Branch! The shelter here is run with a skeleton staff, and volunteers are always needed to help with the unglamourous chores of cleaning the kennels and feeding/ watering the animals. But did you know that we also like to have volunteers come to help socialize, groom, exercise and cuddle the dogs and cats? These are very important jobs, which help the animals' emotional and physical well being while they are waiting to be adopted. Some of the animals have been abused and are not used to a gentle touch. Others are depressed due to being surrendered by a guardian. All, need to have time spent with them. Time is a commodity of which our staff has very little, and this is why volunteers are so important at the Shuswap shelter.

Some families also consider fostering animals who need extra socializing or medical care or a temporary respite from the shelter. Applications for fostering are available on line. For further info, click on the Fostering link.

If you would like to assist with a monetary donation, there are a number of options. You can take out a BCSPCA membership, now as simple as clicking on the membership link, printing out the form, and sending it with your cheque to the Shuswap Branch BCSPCA. Other monetary donations may also be sent to the Shuswap Branch. You may also wish to consider leaving something through your Last Will and Testament. If you want your bequest to help the Shuswap Branch or shelter and used exclusively in the local community, then the language you should include in your Will is as follows: I give to the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 1245 East 7th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., V5T 1R1 (the sum of ...) or (...percent of the residue of my Estate). I request that it be used for the benefit of the animals in Salmon Arm. If it is important for you to know how your money is being used you may also designate how you would like the money to be spent; for example, medical costs, animal food and litter, shelter renovations, etc. Otherwise, money will be spent where it is needed most. Tax receipts are issued through the main office and can take a little time. Please be patient, and understand that the money you give us is greatly appreciated and wisely used.

• Writing?
• Selling?
• Asking People for Money?
• Public Relations?

Do you like to meet new people via telephone or work on the computer? We have many opportunities for people to help and enjoy oneself while working on special events such as our annual dog walkathon or gala night, writing for our newsletter "Pawprint", selling raffle tickets, meeting and greeting the public downtown or at one of the shopping malls to raise awareness and funds. For more info, click on our links for CAC and Events.

• high quality dog and cat food (without dyes)
• non-clumping kitty litter and wood pellets (also used as kitty litter)
• MEDIUM sized litter pans (large do not fit the cages)
• cat carriers
• cat and dog toys (especially kongs)

But we also require such mundane items as:

• fabric softener sheets
• paper towels
• toilet paper
• liquid bleach
• laundry and dish detergent
• garbage bags
• swiffer brooms
• dust pans with hand brooms
• string mops
• buckets
• rubber gloves
• kleenex
• scrub brushes
• window cleaner
• handi wipes

As well, we use:

• blankets and quilts
• towels
• disposable latex gloves
• gauze pads
• veterinary wrap
• rubber garden hoses
• flashlights and batteries
• electric heating pads (to keep kittens & puppies warm)
• canned milk
• post-it notes
• index file cards (3 x 5 white or orange)
• 8 ½ x 11 plain paper (with or without holes)
• peanut butter and Cheez Whiz for the dog kongs!