...you can help your local BCSPCA branch.

There are many ways to volunteer with the animals in the adoption centre, or for the animals, such as on a committee or with the Community Council (CC). It's a great way to meet new people and know that you are helping this community's animals. In any year over 600 animals arrive at the branch. Our animal adoption centre is run with a small staff and volunteers are always needed to help with the unglamourous chores of cleaning the kennels and feeding/watering the animals. But we also like to have volunteers who come to help socialize, groom, exercise or cuddle the dogs and cats. These are very important to the animal's 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 adoption centre.

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.

• 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 a our annual Paws for a Cause... Walk for the Animals, serving on a committee such as humane education or membership, writing for our newsletter "Pawprint", 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 CC and Events.

Those who choose to become a member are showing support for the work being done to make life better for all animals. You may take out a BCSPCA membership by clicking on the membership link, printing out the form and sending it with your cheque to the Shuswap Branch (5850 Auto Rd SE, Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 2X2).

If you would like to assist with a monetary donation, there are a number of options. You can take out a BCSPCA membership. Other monetary donations may also be sent to the branch. Tax receipts are issued through the main office and can take a little time. Funds donated for the Shuswap Branch are greatly appreciated and wisely used.

You may wish to consider leaving something through your Last Will and Testament. For advice on the wording for bequests to the BCSPCA or its branches, we recommend that you ask your lawyer to contact the BCSPCA Planned Giving Officer. For information about planned giving including the Pet Survivor Care Program and contact information for the senior planned giving officer go to www.spca.bc.ca/help/bequest.asp.

Alternatively, you may wish to leave a bequest to a fund established with the Shuswap Community Foundation which designates revenues to our branch: "Shuswap area BCSPCA fund". For contact information and details on the Foundation Funds go to info@shuswapfoundation.ca.

• dog buscuits
• wood pellets (used as kitty litter)
• cat carriers
• cat toys

But we also require such mundane items as:

• fabric softener sheets
• paper towels
• toilet paper
• liquid bleach
• liquid laundry and dish detergent
• garbage bags
• 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
• 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!