SALI BLOG

Animal Welfare groups should pay close attention to cases of child abuse

2012-01-27T23:21:00.000-08:00

Facebook has been inundated with graphic stories and pictures of animal cruelty this week. Cruelty seems to be too tame a word for the suffering purposely inflicted on a powerless living being. It hit me like a ton of bricks again. The sickening waves travelled from the pit of my stomach to my heart. I couldn't take any more. I took some much needed quiet time tonight and dug deep into the heart of the issue that so many Animal Group Facebook pages are not talking about;

Animal cruelty begins in a violent home.

It is often referred to as the "link." Animal abuse, child abuse, spousal abuse, elder abuse are all intertwined in the web of violence. Children who experience or witness abuse are at a high risk of perpetrating animal cruelty. Children who experience or witness violence are at high risk of becoming violent offenders. Children who experience or witness abuse need caring communities who will help them heal and break the cycle of violence.

The Facebook pages are calling for punishment to the full extent of the law.
I agree.
The Facebook pages are calling for our outdated animal cruelty laws to be updated
I agree.

The Facebook pages are missing two important pieces:

(1) Children in violent homes need protection and early intervention
(2) Animal welfare and child welfare agencies need to collaborate

I call on all animal welfare/protection/rescue groups to remember our history. Animal protection agencies began as child protection agencies. Please include children in all your humane activities. By helping a child, you will be helping an animal.

MLA Jagrup Brar - SALI challenges you to foster a dog for your Welfare Challenge

2012-01-16T22:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Mr. Brar: Your commitment to spending a month on the street is commendable. I am always excited with any initiative that gives the homeless a voice. However, I would like to address an issue that has been missing from the media coverage of your Welfare Challenge. Many homeless people, people in danger of becoming homeless and those living in poverty have pets. Pets nurture at-risk people when they have lost all family and friends. Pets create a sense of family, love and support. Pets create a positive, healthy, routine for at-risk people. Pets give at-risk people hope.

Photo Credit: Evan Sea

I have found that at-risk people will put themselves more at risk because they put their pet's need before their own. At-risk people will feed their pets before they feed themselves. Imagine if your $610 had to be spread even more thinly to feed your beloved four-legged family members.

SALI is committed to helping at-risk people keep their pets. SALI delivers pet food right to the front lines where people are living on the street and where their direct services are located. We deliver pet food once a month to the Surrey Urban Mission (104th & King George Hwy), the Djaef Mahler Grocery (108th & 130A) specialized, high protein for people with HIV+ (many people with AIDS have cats), the South Fraser Women's Society (20th & 152nd), and the Cold Weather Homeless Shelter @ White Rock First United Church.

Jonquil Hallgate is a huge advocate for pets of the homeless and she shared this sentiment with me, "Blessings to everyone who cares about animals and about community members who deserve the same opportunity to enjoy the friendships that enhance our quality of life."

Please let me know if you would like to foster a dog for the rest of your challenge. A dog will help protect you from loneliness and despair. SALI will provide you with all the dog food that you need.

Hug your pet and thank your lucky stars

2011-12-05T21:36:00.000-08:00

This morning I was waiting at a church to pick up a cat to put into our foster program. The cat is the beloved companion of a woman fleeing domestic violence. The woman had gone back to her place when it was safe to get her cat and was going to bring her to me. Something wasn't right as I waited and waited. It ended up that she couldn't get the cat. The woman was so apologetic that she had wasted my time. That's when it hit me full force. Life can be so difficult for some of us. Me I just spent a morning doing my best to help someone. It wasn't a waste of my time or effort. I will do it again in a heart beat.

I am just glad that she is safe and her cat is also safe. Her cat is good at hiding and will be fed by a neighbour for the time being.

We will both try again another day.

**This is a picture of a cat that we paid to get spayed. I can't post pics of the pets that we help in the Gazelle Guardian Program. All identities have to be confidential to keep women, children, pets, and SALI volunteers safe from perpetrators.

Growing up with Disney movies helps children to empathize with animals

2011-11-27T11:07:00.000-08:00

There are a few movies that I can never watch without shedding a tear no matter how many times I see it. And they all seem to involve animals. After watching this You Tube clip of Baby of Mine from Disney's Dumbo movie it dawned on me, no wonder I want to make the world a better place for animals. This is the magic of Disney.

Baby goats love to climb anything

2011-11-17T19:37:00.001-08:00

Christine Mayworm and I were invited out to Zajac Ranch in Mission. The two of us are always looking for groups to collaborate with and to learn how others are helping children and animals. What I didn't expect was to meet two baby goats who love to climb on people!

Our youngest SALI volunteers are hard at work for Connect Day

2011-10-19T19:53:00.000-07:00

Max asked me how his school could help out for Connect Day. SALI was really short on cat food and we knew that there are a lot of cats in the homeless community. Max got to work and organized a cat food drive at Southridge Elementary School. You can see in this picture that his drive was a huge success.

Coltin and Kyren of Southridge highschool showed up at Connect Day early in the morning and got to work distributing the large bags of dog food into smaller, manageable bags for giveaways to the homeless.

This job took 2 hours.

Then they helped hand out the giveaways.

Find your inner lab

2011-09-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

I just had the pleasure of meeting Dr Owen Garrett and Shirley Garrett. Both are very interested in becoming involved in SALI and SALI will be better for it!

Dr. Garrett has used many of Cesar Millans methods in his psychology practice and often says to his patients, "that to find the balance in their energies, they need to find their 'inner lab' (or whatever their favourite dog is)."
Owen and Shirley met with Cesar Millan last November and there is a wonderful article posted on www.cesarsway about this couple. Please read it here:

http://www.cesarsway.com/packgallery/successstories/Dr-Owen-J-Garrett

Owen, Shirley & Hooper

All deserve to enjoy the four-legged friendships that enhance our quality of life

2011-09-12T12:07:00.000-07:00

I asked Jonquil Hallgate of the Surrey Urban Mission to write a couple stories for me about the people and pets that visit the mission for pet food that SALI delivers once a month.

One of our mission friends who relies on dog food is homeless. Jack cannot afford the costs of feeding his pal Max, but they have a bond that transcends many of those that people have with each other. They truly are a family. Recently Jack left the campsite that he had set up to attend an appointment. When he returned, his camp had been destroyed, his belongings stolen and his pal missing. The rope that tethered Max to the tent had been cut. He was devastated. We all were because we all love this wonderful animal. Fortunately, the following day they were reunited when Max left whoever had taken him and went searching in the areas in North Surrey that he was familiar with looking for Jack.

Another of our mission friends lives with mental illness and also has agoraphobia. Mary only leaves her apartment to go to the doctor once a month or once and in a while with a Mental Health worker to do a bit of grocery shopping. After her rent and utilities are paid each month she has $120 left for food, laundry, and any other needs that she has, including vet bills and pet food and treats. Her constant companions are her 5 cats who she loves and mothers - and who give her a reason to get up and get moving each day. The food that we provide her with through the goodness of donations from SALI reduce her stress immensely. It also allows Mary to have her family with her because having to part with them due to not being able to feed them would be truly tragic.

"Being able to provide pet food takes a lot of stress away so that people are able to enjoy the relationship and bond that they have with their 4-legged family members. Blessings to everyone who cares about animals and about community members who deserve the same opportunity to enjoy the friendships that enhance our quality of life."

These are two stories of the people that visit the Surrey Urban Mission for the free hot lunch program, but actually of more importance to them, to pick up free pet food that SALI delivers once a month. When the SALI truck pulls up we are warmly greeted , greatly appreciated and always thanked. We visit with everyone and are always touched with the caring bond that exists between our mission friends and their pet. This SALI program continues only through the support of our caring community who donate cash, donate fresh pet food, donate expired good quality pet food, and who help deliver the pet food.

Wonder if SALI's Children's Garden will look like this someday?

2011-09-04T16:31:00.001-07:00

Found this U Pick Flower and Country Store on the way home from SALI's Farm. Please check it out @ 3309 - 232nd Street, Langley. While we were there a wedding party was picking their own bridal bouquets.

$1.00 per Dahlia stem. Flowers the size of dinner plates! Every colour your heart desires.

SALI's Garden was very successful in the vegie category, but our flowers not so much. I asked Judy Terry (the owner) for some tips. I will work on a better flower show for the next group of kids that come in the fall.

Our pumpkin plant is looking great.

Christine and I are so thankful to all the people that made SALI's Farm a success!

2011-09-03T10:02:00.000-07:00

I had a dream in 2005 to create a farm for at-risk children and it became a reality in 2011. It has been a lot of hard work and it is not for the faint of heart. But I have met so many amazing people along the way that I never would have. People that give unconditionally to help people and animals.

Here they all are celebrating at the farm - A JOB WELL DONE!
Melanie, Gerryann, Colleen, Carrie, Julina, Lesley, Christine, Kristin, Jane

This is the time line that Christine and I developed starting in April, 2011. Rather than focus on the few things that didn't get done, we put a star on the items that did get done. There ended up to be a lot of stars on this chart!

People trust SALI to care for their pets and keep them safe

2011-08-25T23:17:00.000-07:00

I first met Walter and Pepe in October, 2010 at our free dog wash and free vet clinic for the pets of the homeless. I knew immediately that these two had a very special bond. Pepe was washed, given a clean bill of health, given up-to-date vaccinations and had his nails clipped.

In early June I learned that Pepe has developed a tumor on his jaw line. Walter was thinking the worst about Pepe's condition and he was becoming more and more anxious as the tumor kept growing. Walter is on a fixed income and lives in subsidized housing - he cannot afford any vet care for Pepe. Walter lost his wife a few years ago and Pepe is now his constant companion and protects Walter from loneliness and despair. Another stressor for at-risk people with pets is that there is no access to public transportation because pets are not allowed. They have no way of getting their pets to the vet.

I picked up Walter and Pepe on July 25th and drove them to the South Surrey Vet Hospital. Dr. Kortschak gave Pepe a thorough exam, Capstar for his fleas and determined that the growth is an abscess and drained it. Dr. K. gave Walter a 6-month supply of Capstar. Walter has lived for months thinking the worst, and was very emotional and thankful to hear that Pepe's condition is treatable. Thank you Dr. K. for giving SALI this vet visit and flea treatment for free.

On August 3rd I picked up Pepe and brought him to the hospital for his day surgery. I am honored that SALI has gained the trust of Walter and many other at-risk people and they know that SALI will give their pets the best care and will keep them safe. Pepe's surgery cost $738.46 and was paid for by SALI. Through generous donations we raised $300 specially to help Pepe. We hope that Walter and Pepe have many more years together!

Its when times are tough that we need our pets the most

2011-08-09T10:44:00.000-07:00

We usually have one truck load of pet food to make our deliveries once a month to the homeless in Whalley. In July we had two truck loads - thanks to a very generous donation from Portobello Farms. Karl & Inga collect pet food from various distributors and they called us to see if we wanted some. We took it all!

Photo credit: SALI
SALI Truck loaded up

Photo Credit: SALI
Jane's truck loaded up

We delivered pet food to Brownsville and Whalley in July. The people in Brownsville have had a tough year and they are so appreciative of any help they can get for their beloved pets. Getting pet food from the food banks is very frustrating for them as the food banks often don't have pet supplies and when they do they give out very small quantities to each person. We always give a big helping hand to Jill who looks after the feral cats in Brownsville. When the cats are familiar enough with her she traps them and gets them spayed or neutered. She then finds homes for them. Nice work Jill.

Photo Credit: SALI
Jill

Photo Credit: SALI
Night Shift Street Ministries

Photo Credit: SALI
Surrey Urban Mission

Saying Goodbye to the animals at SALI's Farm

2011-07-28T22:20:00.000-07:00

Our first group of children at SALI's Farm started in the beginning of June and had their last day this Tuesday. Throughout the program we knew we had to prepare the children for it to end. Each week we told them how many more weeks they had. We told them that the last day would be a celebration of each of their success and accomplishments at the farm and they were ready to party when they got off the bus!

Volunteer Jane had organized a scavenger hunt as a way for the children to say goodbye to each of the animals and to the garden. I was overwhelmed with how much creativity, and thoughtfulness she put into it. It started out with a clue at circle time

And off they went to find the treasure box and next clue at Miss Morgan & Puddings house. They discovered the box in the tack that was hanging on the fence and discovered individually wrapped gifts for each of them. A beautiful decorated carved wooden horse! Then we went looking for the two horses in their field. Off in the distance the volunteers saw Miss Morgan laying on the ground and we thought the worse. Had she passed away over night? We kept the kids with Pudding and I ran over to check. She was alive! But moaning and was not getting up to get her treats in the buckets that the kids had. This was not a good sign. In a few minutes we were reassured by the owner that all was good and she just took extra long to get up. If we had have been patient we would have seen her pull herself up in 10 minutes and she gave us a sad look as we were on our way to the next treasure box. The volunteers will make sure she gets extra treats when we come back next week to water the garden and do some chores.

All the treasure

Jane and I were returning a foster cat late at night in Whalley and ended up having a strange man get in the back seat of the SALI truck

2011-07-11T21:18:00.000-07:00

I first met Jane at SALI's garage sale last year. She was cruising with her two grandkids and car full of foster dogs. Jane was really interested in what we do at SALI and wanted to offer some time as a volunteer. At that time she was one of the bunny barn coordinators at the Surrey SPCA and foster for A Better Life Dog Rescue. That didn't seem to be keeping her busy enough, so I got her involved in our Guardian Program serving as chaperone to me when I went to deliver pet food or pick up dogs/cats in some of the not so nice areas of our community. This ended up being a great time for chat sessions. Jane is a great story teller and I can listen to her for hours. On one occasion we were returning a foster cat late at night in Whalley and ended up having a strange man get in the back seat of the SALI truck. This was very disconcerting, but having Jane there I knew she could get started on a story and he would be spellbound :) It all ended up ok, but from now on doors are locked!

Jane is no longer with the SPCA, she still fosters for Better Life Dog Rescue and is now a volunteer at SALI's Farm every Tuesday. She is matched up with a 3 year old girl and I would say they both have the same amount of energy. Jane never stops. When we are done with our set-up on Tuesday she gets out the lawn mower and mows any lawn she can find at the farm.

Jane brought one of her foster dogs to the Ocean Park Dog Wash and we offered to wash him for free. Jane would have none of it and made a donation. This is who Jane is. She is always giving, giving, giving and doing, doing, doing.

In Jane's words "I have loved all animals all my life or at least as far back as I can remember. I played "farm" and had an array of stuffed animals which took up most of my bed but "had" to sleep with me. I was always rescuing birds and small rodents and trying to nurse them back to health which never worked and so our backyards were covered in small crosses and stone memorials to a life that ended far too soon. My love of dogs goes back to my youth but we did not get a dog till I was about 15. It was a long wait. Once I was married we were only dogless for one year while we lived in England. We now have two dogs of our own plus two fosters, 3 rabbits, one rat and one budgie. Another love is second hand shopping and garage sales and that is where I met Keryn. We arranged to meet and discuss animal welfare and related topics and yada yada yada here we are. I have volunteered with one thing or another since childhood. I was always keen on helping organize things, set them up and tear them down. My interests were always animals, kids, sports and things related to animals, kids and sports and my adult life is not much different except I don't do sports anymore. I very much liked the direction Sali was going and as I had some free time I decided to volunteer. I am glad that I did."

I hope you get to meet Jane one day and hear one of her crazy stories. We are so thankful to have Jane on our side. She is a true champion for those in need of a helping hand.

FIV postpones surgery for Ruby

2011-07-10T10:01:00.000-07:00

SALI is all about intervention, sustainability and prevention. We decided last year that we needed to fund spay & neutering in order to work towards preventing unwanted pets in our community. A portion of our donations and fundraising money for our Guardian Programs go towards one spay or neuter a month. We also had a donor come forward who would like to fund one spay or neuter a month. All the pets that are fostered in our Guardian Program require up-to-date shots and need to be spayed or neutered. This is because the pets are fostered in homes that have pets. We also find that the people using our Guardian Program desire to have their pets spayed or neutered but can't afford it.

I had two cats from the Surrey Urban Mission scheduled for their surgeries last week. Both cats are outdoor cats and only one was able to be coaxed into a crate for transport to the vet. There was concern about the Ruby's red eyes and the vet felt that the cat was not healthy enough for the neuter operation. She felt that FIV was a possibility and Ruby did come back positive for the virus. I am glad that the Ruby was taken to the vet when we did and he is now responding really well to antibiotics and has become an indoor cat. We will get him neutered at a later date, but would like to find his sister and get her tested for FIV and get her indoors. We don't normally pay for vet expenses because we don't have the funds. But we have to follow through with proper care for the pets of people that we are working with. I am very happy with how well the people at the Surrey Urban Mission take care of their pets and SALI will help them in whatever way we can and with whatever funds we have available.

FIV is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is closely related to HIV, the virus responsible for AIDS. The infection is most common in unneutered adult male cats. The main route of transmission is through biting and breeding. Cats with FIV can live for several years without symptoms, however, most infected cats will develop "feline AIDS related complex" within 3-6 years of infection with or more secondary conditions such as severe oral disease, URI, FIA, neoplastic disease, and others. Most FIV-positive cats develop full-blown AIDS within 6-8 years and die soon after. "Treatment" consists of good nourishment, protection from stress and infectious disease, and management of secondary conditions.
(Shelter Medicine for Veterinarians & Staff - page 273)

I will keep you posted about Ruby and Lily and I am happy that we are helping to reduce FIV transmission and preventing unwanted kittens.

Eggs and salad

2011-06-23T17:49:00.001-07:00

Garden ACTIVITY: The children each got to plant an assortment of lettuce seedlings. One of the children said proudly, "I'm planting salad!" Jane brought some wonderfully colourful pinwheels for the children to also plant in the garden. "The pinwheels keep the plants safe from birds who want to eat them."

Animal Ativity: Feed the chickens in the chicken coup and collect an egg to take home. This was an important follow-up from last week because a couple of the children had an encounter with the chickens pecking their fingers when they were feeding them grass through the fencing. So this was BIG to go into the coup and be surrounded by the hens. They needed to feed them seed; they could either sprinkle it on the ground or have them eat it from their hand. At first they just threw it at the chickens and they saw how the chickens ran away. But soon they learned that if they "sprinkled" it, the chickens would come closer. Some were brave and held their hand out and the chickens pecked the seed from their hand. It was a bit scary because the chickens move in so fast and peck kinda hard. One girl came up with a solution to put the seed on her boot so the chickens would get close but her hand would be safe. THEN we had the highlight of the day: collect an egg that was laid that morning to take home. We had little baskets that they could place their egg in. One volunteer suggested lining the basket with grass to protect the egg so they did. Then there were lots of questions, "Which chicken laid the eggs?" "Will they grow into chickens?" "Why are there only 4?" "how did they get here?" One thing you could hear the volunteers saying, "You have to be careful or it will break." And BOY OH BOY were these children careful!!

After carrying the egg back to the garden, we suggested they put their name on it and put it in an egg carton to take home. The children did more than just write THEIR name it: they gave it its own name and wrote that name on it, drew flowers and rainbows on it, made a bed of grass in the carton, kissed it, covered it with a leaf-blanket, talked about incubating it into a baby chick, and on and on..... Imagine their horror when we suggested they scramble it the next day and eat it!! At our closing circle, the volunteers emphasized the dangers of keeping the egg in their bedroom... one suggested poking a small hole to drain out the inside and then they could keep the shell forever. That was received about as good as the "eat it" suggestion.

An inspirational evening and a disgusting evening

2011-06-16T16:22:00.001-07:00

Inspirational - SALI AGM
Disgusting - Downtown Vancouver

I was asked by many hockey fans to change the date of our AGM. I decided to keep the date because it is just too much work organizing the whole thing and I need to be spending my time on our Guardian Program and SALI's Farm. We had non-hockey fans attend (yes there are many) and the meeting was inspirational - sorry to those who missed it. We had a dance performance given by Alison Trinkaus and her dog George. Afterwards, we learned how Alison rescued George from death's door and she rehabilitated him through his fear aggression issues. George is the only dancing Shar Pei and is a wonderful ambassador for his breed.
We thanked George with two packages of gourmet dog treats and gave Alison a gift basket with wine, chocolate and "Golden Egg" scratch N win. We hope you win the jack pot Alison - you deserve it.

We celebrated the first group of children coming to SALI's Farm with a toast given by Christine Mayworm. She shared a funny story about the children collecting their first egg (story to be posted at a later date). We had a lovely door prize of Prospect Winery "unoaked" Chardonnay, Endangered Species chocolate, SALI blue nail polish and "Golden Egg" scratch n wins. The door prize was won by Jane Struthers our extraordinary volunteer.

Our meeting was adjourned and the power promptly went out. We visited over wine and candlelight. A wonderful evening.....

until the power went back on and I saw what was happening in Vancouver. I am ashamed for our fair city. My heart especially goes out to the young girl who was in a porta potty when it was rolled over with people laughing and taking photos. Disgusting. Those who are responsible need to serve not only time - but serve the homeless people on the downtown east side and the homeless animals in the Vancouver Animal Shelter.

Job well done volunteers on Tuesday!

2011-06-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

Waiting for the bus

After 3 years of hard work and networking, the first group of children attended SALI's Farm yesterday! This group is from the Maxxine Wright transition house and are between the ages 3 to 9. Everyone involved knew that the kids would be excited to come to the farm and that they would greatly benefit from activities with the animals, the children's garden and with nature. We have one volunteer per child so that the children also form close bonds with nurturing adults.

Waiting for the seedlings to be planted

Each child has a set of small gardening tools and gardening gloves

The kids planted the pea seedlings that they had grown from seed into the children's garden and we hope they will be able to harvest some peas at the end of July. We need the sun to make that happen. We spent the rest of the hour touring the farm and saying hi to all the SALI animals.

A fresh grass handout is always appreciated

Today we all said hi to the chickens and the roosters

2011-05-31T06:33:00.000-07:00

SALI brought one of Canada's experts in the field of Animal-Assisted Therapy and Activities here to train us and guide us in the process of learning how to facilitate healing with the animals at SALI's Farm. Eileen Bona runs Dreamcatchers Nature-assisted Theapy Association in Ardrossan, Alberta. For those who attended our charity cocktail last November, Eileen was our guest speaker. Each volunteer was given an extensive animal assisted activities manual and a journal. There was a wonderful sense of accomplishment, excitement and confidence after the first day of training as we went into the second day.

Over the May long weekend we had two days of training at the farm. Eileen guided us through the first ever animal-assisted activity training in BC. We had nine volunteers attend and will have six volunteers available for our first group of children coming in June. We will hold a second training session in August/September for the fall group of children. Eileen suggested that SALI become a facilitator for any other organizations that would like to get into this field.

The beginning of the garden at SALI's Farm

2011-05-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

Before

Christine & Lesley hard at work while I supervise - "a little bit more to the left"

Look out

Power tools!

After - 8' x 4' and perfectly square
We're hoping to get a mural painted on the garden bed by a group of Southridge kids that are fundraising for SALI's Farm. Will post pics as soon as we can get them out to farm in between soccer games and music lessons!

Julina & Cece

Meet Laura

2011-05-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

Laura & part of her menagerie

Laura contacted SALI in 2009 and I met her at the local Starbucks. She immediately donated money to our programs and signed on as a member and volunteer. Laura joined the 2010 fundraising team and helped out at the Bad to the Bone and the dog wash at White Rock Farmers Market.

Photo Credit: SALI
Laura at 2010 Bad to the Bone Pub Nite

Laura & Princess

Laura has become very involved in the Guardian Program. She is passionate about the welfare of animals and loves helping out the beloved pets of people at risk. We find that the cats in foster care from women who have fled domestic violence need a very sensitive care giver. And we have found that person in Laura. Laura is calm around all animals and will do what ever it takes to help them. She is our "cat whisperer" and is able to help cats feel at home and let go of their past trauma.

Laura gets a lot of satisfaction directly helping animals and people and there are a lot of people and animals now in our community that have been kept together because of Laura.

2011-05-02T21:11:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I sent in my last two assignments for my Bachelor of Science Degree. I am now officially a BSc! It took me six years. So to those of you who say it can't be done or it's is too late or I'm too old - don't listen to that nay sayer. Just believe in yourself and go for what you want.

My degree is from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and the Humane Society of the United States. I loved almost every minute of it (not so much philosophy).

I started this degree in September, 2005 during Hurricane Katrina. My first course was "Risk Management." A little too late for my classmates who were all helping with disaster relief for the animals.

Here are some of the other courses I took in my major for Humane Leadership:
Strategic Planning
Fundraising, Philanthropy & Resources
Animal Health & Behavior in a shelter environment
Marketing for a non-profit
Publicity for a non-profit
Wildlife in a shelter environment
Animals and Public Policy
Nonprofit Board of Directors
Volunteer Management

I learned a lot from my classmates who are all in the animal welfare profession or are aspiring to be. But I think more importantly I learned what not to do. I was not too excited about the traditional animal protection agencies. I wanted something more progressive and innovative and how about something new like preventative.

In 2007 I took First Strike: Interpersonal Violence and Animal Cruelty. This course changed my life. My professor was Randall Lockwood who is the North American expert on animal cruelty issues. This is where I first discovered Animal-Assisted Therapy. This is when I decided to build SALI's Farm. I also learned about the Hope and Freedom Projects and the Cinnamon Trust in the UK and decided I wanted to bring those 3 programs to Canada.

I am so glad I started this journey and am so excited that others want to join me!

There were 93 dog biscuits in the jar - who knew!

2011-05-02T11:42:00.000-07:00

Pooch Parade on the Peninsula

One of our favourite games at the SALI booth is guess the number of dog biscuits in the jar. Yesterday, we had guesses from 51 to 160.

Way to go Paige you won a Power Tour electric guitar with your guess of 96!

We have several certified, bonded biscuit counters and today was our fab volunteer Barb. She counted 93 biscuits. Barb got off easy, usually I use the teeny biscuits to fill the jar that count into the hundreds!

Tuesdays at SALI's Farm

2011-04-21T21:19:00.000-07:00

We are so lucky to be a part of this demonstration farm. A lovely philanthropic couple are letting us use their farm and animals for our SALI's Farm pilot project. We are extra lucky because a baby horse was born there last week. Her name is Viva. Welcome to the world. You are one lucky horse to be part of this special place.

The first group of kids will be coming to SALI's Farm in early June and can watch her grow. The kids come for one hour, once a week for 8 weeks. How much will she grow by the end of their time at the farm? If you like I will post pictures of her each week.

Posted by Christine
SALI's Farm Project Director

SALI's Mission Statement

2011-04-21T20:41:00.001-07:00

A mission statement is the heart of an organization. They should be one sentence long and say it all. That's a tall order for one sentence.

Here is SALI's Mission Statement

To Honour, Respect and Protect the Human/Animal Bond

What do you think?

2009 SALI Photo

It's National Volunteer Appreciation Week - meet Jacqueline

2011-04-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Klutch Photography
First annual Bad to the Bone Pub Nite

I brought a litter of orphaned kittens to the South Surrey Vet Hospital to get them vaccinated and met the vivacious Jacqueline. She immediately asked to adopt one of the kittens and wanted to get involved in SALI. That was three years ago and since then Jacqueline has joined the Board of Directors and she is on our fundraising team. Jacqueline owns and operates the Paw Spa and spends 5 days a week washing and grooming dogs. Add to that SALI's many dog washes that Jacqueline organizes and that's another 200 dogs washed! Jackie always donates grooming gift certificates for prizes at our events, and helps groom any dogs that are in our Guardian Program. Jacqueline has a house full of animals. Her pet family is ever expanding, but as of today there are two chihuahuas (Chili and Walter); four cats (Pandora, Timmy, Peter Jennings-will have to get the story on that one and She-Ra-who is from SALI's first rescue litter); two cockatiels (Pato) & Captain Feather Sword). She is raising her toddler son to follow in her footsteps and he will probably be our youngest volunteer when the time comes.

Photo Credit: Klutch Photography
Ethan and Walter at Rosemary Heights dog wash

Photo Credit: SALI
Jacqueline at Clayton Critters Dog Wash

Photo Credit: Klutch Photography
Jacqueline at White Rock Farmers Market Dog Wash

You can email Jacqueline at: jacqueline@sali.ca

April Delivery to Surrey Urban Mission

2011-04-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

This dog and cat food and cat litter is all donated from local pet stores, local vets and from generous people in our community. We get mostly dog food, but cat food is greatly needed. Please email if you would like to donate any pet food and pet supplies.

keryn@sali.ca

I met Todd who has Baby Girl. Can you guess her breed?

SALI's Farm Wish List

2011-04-10T13:38:00.000-07:00

We need 10 pairs of boots for pre-school children. The boots will stay at the farm for each time that the children attend.

We just received 7 pairs of boots.

We now need just 3 more pairs of boots.

Thank you so much Elena for spending the time and money to get these boots. The kids will love them!

To see SALI's Wish List, please click here

No carrots please

2011-04-06T17:18:00.000-07:00

My little foster bunny Nora has been adopted. I feel like hopping. I want to make sure that her new family knows that she likes bananas and apples - no vegies. I tryed romaine, carrot tops, celery, celery tops, iceburg. The only vegies that worked a little were green kale (not red) and parsley. Who knew.

I just want to spare them the expense of buying bunches of organic vegies that she will turn her nose up to. And I want her to be happy in her new home. She is a really neat animal, full of personality.

Maybe another foster bunny will come my way who likes carrots?

Tuesdays at SALI's Farm

2011-04-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

Jasmine and Mercedes come from the same family. Jasmine is a bit stand-offish; Mercedes loves attention. She gets jealous if Jasmine gets any attention. Jasmine is older and is less trustful of adults. She hogs food and treats from Mercedes and I say "Hey, you should share with Mercedes." I think she is being rude and she should be more polite. But then I watched as the doctor came to give Mercedes a shot and Jasmine became worried for her and got mad at the doctor. "She really cares for Mercedes," I think to myself. "She's feeling protective of her." That makes me like her more; she isn't selfish, she's caring when it really matters.

Morgan and Pudding are friends. They've grown up together. Morgan is large and a bit sloppy. Her hair is long and always tangled with dirt stuck in it. Pudding is shy. His hair is shorter and always combed. When the two of them are together, Morgan is bossy. She always wants what Pudding has. If he is eating something, she will push him away and eat what he was eating. He lets her. He is patient. He is getting skinny. I like Morgan because she comes up to say "hi" and seems more friendly. Pudding runs away when I try to talk to him. That makes me feel that he doesn't like me. So I spend time with Morgan; she'll go on walks with me and I try to comb her hair and get the tangles out. But it's nasty because she stinks! She becomes impatient sometimes and wants to go back to play with Pudding. When we are walking back, I hear Pudding call her name. I realize that he really likes her and misses her when she is gone. She calls back "I'm on my way.."

Jasmine and Mercedes are donkeys. Jasmine is Mercede's mother. Miss Morgan (Morgan) and Pudding are horses. All four live a happy life at SALI's demonstration farm. I am a city girl with not much experience with animals, especially large farm animals. But I do know about children and people. I am a Registered Clinical Counselor with training in how animals can help people to confront and deal with their deep emotional problems. I have committed the remainder of my career to the psychological work that can take place when a human comes in contact with an animal. Animals are in the present, as you may have heard Caesar Milan say about dogs. People are different. People have regrets of the past, feelings of guilt and shame; worries about the future. People interpret the meaning of behaviour and place judgements on it. Our judgements are often reflective of our experience. The intro to this blog reflects the interpretations I put on the behaviours of the animals I am working with. Children may have the same or they may have completely different interpretations. The power of the work is that there WILL be interpretations. Example: SALI will be working with the Surrey school system to have a group of children from a Social Development Program come to the farm. The teacher of the class wanted to visit first and over Spring break he brought his daughter, a 6-year-old. When we were in the donkey pen and had greeted Jasmine and Mercedes, we moved to their stall to clean it. Mercedes followed close behind the little girl. She says "I think she likes me." That was her interpretation of the behaviour of the donkey. Perhaps the donkey was really saying "I wonder if this little girl has a carrot in her pocket."

But what the donkey is REALLY saying is not what's important here. The fact that she felt that she made a connection with this donkey and this donkey felt she was special IS what's important here. That is the power of our work with animals.

I decided it would help my work if I spent some time with these animals and they with me. I'm sure they are thinking I'm some wierdo human who keeps talking to them and seems a bit unskilled at what I do... but we are forming a relationship.... and relationships are the key.

I will keep you updated on my activities at the farm and my very human interpretations of their very non-human behaviours. This blog will be entitled "Tuesdays at the Farm".
Thanks for listening.

Posted by Christine

One night at Surrey Pound for Radar - now he is safe back home

2011-03-29T15:40:00.000-07:00

Radar went missing Monday night. His person called the Surrey Pound as soon as they opened Tuesday morning (9:00). A dog had been brought in Monday night and matched Radar's description. SALI was called because they did not have enough funds to pay the impound charges and they didn't have a car. I drove down to the Surrey Pound (SPCA) to see if the dog was Radar. It was. We are so thankful he is ok.

Did you know that the first impound fee is $50 and goes up for second and third impound. If your dog is not licensed, you cannot get your dog back until you buy a license which triples because of the impound. Total cost to get Radar back home where he belongs $175.00. Is this an inducement for people to license their dogs? Is it working?

$175 is too much to ask from someone who is homeless or on welfare. How can you claim your beloved pet if you don't have a car? SALI will be fundraising to give out city licenses for the dogs of the homeless. We are hoping that the City of Surrey will give SALI a reduced rate. I will let you know what the city decides.

If you would like more information on how you help at-risk people keep their pets where they belong - in their homes and out of the Surrey pound - please click here

*****Please remember you have only three days to claim your pet at the City Pound****

The Big Apple

2011-03-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

We first introduced SALI's Farm mascot on his journey to Australia. During Spring Break he traveled to the Big Apple. Here he is at Central Park, New York City. He causes a lot of second looks and questions from passer-bys. Great way to spread the word about SALI's Farm. Wonder where he will end up next?

72 hour disaster preparedness kits

2011-03-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

Our hearts grieve for those affected by the earthquake and tsunami. The light in all of this is the outpouring of help and support worldwide. Our family will be giving to the Rose Charities who deliver effective, sustainable aid directly to those in need, with minimal bureaucracy and to the Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support which is a coalition of three groups - HEART-Tokushima, Animal Garden Niigata, and Japan Cat Network - has united to provide shelter, rescue, and an exchange of information for animals of Japan's earthquake and tsunami.

Rose Charities

Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support

This tradegy is an important reminder for all or us to prepare for disasters. Please join SALI in the following weeks as we walk you through putting together a 72 hour disaster preparedness kit for every member of your family - two-legged and four-legged.

Why 72 hours?
If an emergency happens in your community, it may take emergency help some time to reach you. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.

It can be overwhelming putting the kits together, so we thought it would work better if we broke it down into smaller steps week by week.

SALI is a member of the Lower Mainland Emergency Pet Services (EPS) and has several members that are trained to respond to North American disasters. SALI is working on being the EPS organization for Surrey and White Rock. If you would like to join SALI in emergency relief for Surrey and White Rock please email SALI at info@sali.ca

Bunny De-stressor

2011-03-05T16:34:00.000-08:00

How to unwind after a tough day.......

This is bunny prosac. I always thought dogs helped me to calm down, but massaging my foster rabbit for a few minutes is so soothing. Rabbits are sooooooo soft! Also, she won't let me near her unless I approach her very calmly. Then she will stay in one spot in a round ball. If I stay calm, she will gradually flatten herself out until she is twice as long as when I first started. Both of us relax. This is my prescription to help people slow down and de-stress.

Each person and animal that we help have their own unique story

2011-03-02T22:31:00.000-08:00

One of our volunteers, Sarah* fostered a cat for a little over a month. Charlie* is a very gentle cat, but very timid and just wanted to spend all day hiding. Except when eating. Charlie has a very healthy appetite for such a lazy lifestyle. Charlie is overweight, but I have to say he deserves it after all he's been through. Sarah especially enjoyed working with Charlie to slowly gain his trust and help him become less fearful of life. When it was time to reunite Charlie with his person, I popped him into the pet carrier. He was immediately stressed and peed on me. Sarah and I were chatting about how Charlie had been doing so well with her and she should have put him in the carrier. This would have helped to lessen Charlie's stress. This just helped to remind us that each animal, each story, each situation is so different from the next. We all learn from them and use what we learn to help the next person and the next animal.

This is a thank you card from Charlie's person. You are so welcome. We got to have Charlie in our life for a short time and give you peace of mind.

*Names are changed for confidentiality

What a great way to celebrate the human-animal bond

2011-02-25T16:57:00.000-08:00

SALI just delivered these two pet kits to the Maxinne Wright Women's Shelter. They will be given out to women who are moving into their own accommodation and are making a fresh start. One is a cat kit with pet carrier, 2 cat blankets, cat bed, cat nip toy, good quality dry and wet cat food. The dog kit is a pet carrier, dog bed, dog toys, dog treats, collar, leash & harness, and good quality dry and wet dog food. All the items are brand new except for the pink pet carriers that were donated as gently used. We couldn't resist giving the women pink carriers they were just too good looking. All items for these kits are new and are either donated or purchased with donated funds. This is our way of celebrating the human-animal bond especially after such horrific circumstances in both the women and animals lives.

Cat Kit

Dog Kit

To help us put together one of these kits please go to: www.sali/gazelle

Bittersweet separation - Sweet Reunion

2011-02-21T22:51:00.000-08:00

I feel like I want to do this job forever. On the weekend I got to bring Callie* back to her family. Sue* fled domestic violence just before Christmas and her cat Callie was put into foster care with one of our fab volunteers. Sue didn't get to visit Callie all that time, which made it a very sweet reunion. Tears of joy and thankfulness. Sue, I wish you and Callie a good life together.

*names changed due to confidentiality

This was a tough day for me

2011-02-18T18:23:00.000-08:00

SALI got a call from a woman fleeing domestic violence who has two cats. This is the toughest case we have had so far. She is in 2nd stage long term housing with her two children and two cats. She has been told that the cats have got to go. This has been a very traumatic time for her and a time when she actually needs her pets the most!
SALI offers short-term fostering and one of our fabulous volunteers has her cats for one month to give her a chance to find family or friend that can take them. Maybe SALI will find a long-term foster for her.......

Throw us a bone City of Surrey!

2011-02-15T11:53:00.000-08:00

SALI has been getting enough donated pet food to fill up the SALI truck once a month and deliver it to the Surrey Urban Mission. I made a delivery last Friday and got a chance to talk to a few of the homeless people and to the Director of the Mission, Jonquil Hallgate.

They were so thankful that we had some cat food this time around. For some reason lots of dog food is donated when there are actually 50% dogs and 50% cats up in North Surrey that are at-risk.

One story that Ken (who is homeless) was sharing with me is that the Surrey bylaw officers are in full force to check if the dogs of the homeless people are licensed with the City of Surrey. Jonquil confirmed that this often happens and the homeless are fined. So, the City has come up with the idea to treat the homeless as if they live in a residential home? Don't you have to have a fixed address to get a dog license?

Here's what upsets me. SALI is busting our can to keep the homeless and their pets together. The City of Surrey should be our partner is this endeavor. Instead SALI now has to deal with bylaw officers and dog licenses.

Dogs and pets in general are a love drug for the homeless. They don't have to do harmful drugs to feel good about themselves. Pets nurture the homeless when they have lost all family and friends. Pets create a sense of family, love and support for the homeless. Pets create a positive, healthy routine for the homeless. Pets give the homeless hope.

The City of Surrey should be cooperating with SALI to keep homeless people and pets together. Now I have to meet with the City to come to some arrangement in regard to dog licenses for the dogs of the homeless people. Throw us a bone City of Surrey!

SALI will also be working on getting dog and cat tags with SALI contact info on them, so that if a pet is lost that pet and person can be reunited.

Animals are treated as a business liability and 100 sled dogs are slaughtered

2011-01-31T12:25:00.000-08:00

100 sled dogs suffered horrible deaths and animal cruelty charges are being investigated. There have been several official responses to this story (BCSPCA and Outdoor Adventures Tours Whistler) that surplus sled dogs should be humanely euthanized. This is unacceptable. Sled dog operators must demonstrate that their surplus/retired dogs are rehomed in order to run their business.

100 healthy sled dogs slaughtered in Whistler, B.C.

CTV News Video
CTV Calgary: Sled dog investigation
The B.C. SPCA and RCMP are investigating a report claiming a Whistler tour company slaughtered 100 sled dogs after a slow down in business following the Olympics. The incident was discovered after a worker filed a claim for post-traumatic stress.

An official of the SPCA in British Columbia says word of a mass slaughter of sled dogs in Whistler last April 21 and 23 warrants a criminal investigation. Traditional sled dogs run in the gang line near Churchill, Man. on Hudson Bay, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007. (Jonathan Hayward / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Date: Mon. Jan. 31 2011 4:08 PM ET
Warning: This story contains details that may be disturbing to some readers

The SPCA in British Columbia along with the RCMP are investigating a report that a Whistler tour company slaughtered 100 healthy sled dogs last year after business slowed and new homes could not be found for the animals.

Staff. Sgt. Steve LeClair, of Whistler RCMP, confirmed his detachment has opened a file, but said the primary investigator on the case will be the SPCA.

Marcie Moriarty, general manager for cruelty investigations with the BC SPCA, tells ctvbc.ca that the investigation was launched after a worker at Outdoor Adventures Whistler filed a claim with the Worker's Compensation Board of B.C. (WorkSafeBC) for post-traumatic stress, after being ordered to kill dozens of dogs.

Moriarty said the report suggests the slaughter was conducted over three days last April. The worker said he was ordered to carry out the cull after business slowed following the 2010 Olympic Games.

In the documents, the worker describes a dog that survived a shot to the face: "Its eye was hanging off, and it was still running around," Moriarty told ctvbc.ca. Another apparently dead dog was dumped into the mass grave, but the worker later noticed the animal trying to pull itself out.

Moriarty said it's technically legal to shoot an animal, as long as it dies instantly. "That most certainly did not happen in this instance," she said.

She added that lethal injections supervised by a veterinarian would have been the more humane way to cull the dogs.

She said the SPCA will now have to dig up the mass grave to complete its investigation.

Outdoor Adventures Whistler did not contest the report detailed in the WorkSafeBC documents, except to note that 100 were actually destroyed rather than the 70 dogs that the worker claimed in his report.

Graham Aldcroft, a spokesman for Outdoor Adventures Whistler says the sled dog cull was "tragic and regrettable."

But he noted that Outdoor Adventures had only a financial stake in the company that actually conducted the sled dog tours, called Howling Dog Tours. He says the worker who made the WorkSafe BC claim had full operational control of Howling Dog.

"While we were aware of the relocation and euthanization of dogs at Howling Dog Tours, we were completely unaware of the details of the incident until reading the... document Sunday," Aldcroft said in a statement.

He noted that Outdoor Adventures took over control of Howling Dogs in May, after the reported dog cull, and said it is now company policy that animals needing to be euthanized are treated at a vet's office.

The Vancouver Humane Society is calling for a ban on sled dog tours following reports of the mass killing.

VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker said his human society has seen the WorkSafeBC documents.

"The details of how these dogs were killed are absolutely shocking," said VHS spokesperson Peter Fricker.

"This is what happens when animals are exploited for profit and become surplus to requirements when business is bad."

Please make the new Surrey SPCA shelter cage-free like the Bow Valley SPCA

2011-01-28T14:16:00.000-08:00

Photo Bow Valley SPCA

SPCA to open new animal centre in Cloverdale

Published Peace Arch News: January 28, 2011 10:00 AM

The BC SPCA has purchased a 5.5-acre parcel of land in Cloverdale, where it plans to open a new animal centre early next year.

The property, 16748 50 Ave., will be the site of what the non-profit society hopes will be "one of the largest and most innovative community animal centres anywhere in B.C."

"We are extremely excited about this new site," BC SPCA CEO Craig Daniell said. "Having this link between rural and urban allows us to create a unique setting where the community can come to learn about domestic and farm animals and to join us in making Surrey a leader in animal welfare."

The society's Surrey branch – one of 37 SPCA locations in the province – is currently housed in a city-run pound at 6706 152 St.

The SPCA was in the final stages of an agreement to construct a jointly operated animal shelter with the City of Surrey in Cloverdale, when the city announced last year that it was moving ahead without a community partner, the release states.

Peace Arch News reported last March how the city plans to build a facility to house and care for local strays just south of Highway 10, in the 17900-block of Colebrook Road. The city will pay for the construction of the facility, then put the operation out for bidders. The City of Surrey is expected to be one of those bidders.

"Our first choice would have been to work with the city, but they changed their plan and have not provided details to us with regard to any future involvement with the SPCA," Daniell said. "The Surrey branch is one of our largest and busiest shelters so we have purchased our own site to ensure that we can continue to serve the residents and animals of the community."

The BC SPCA will honour its existing contracts with the city to care for animals who come into the municipal shelter under Surrey's animal control bylaws, and is open to any discussions about future services to the city, the release states.

"We will operate our own facility focusing on our core SPCA mandate of animal protection and cruelty prevention, but are certainly open to assisting the city in other ways if they wish," Daniell said, noting the society will design programs that do not duplicate services offered at the city's new proposed shelter. "While the city's mandate focuses on stray animals and animal-control issues, we will offer our core services of animal protection, sheltering, advocacy and education."

The BC SPCA has begun a "visioning process" to determine the services and programs that will be offered at the new centre.

"The site has existing structures – two houses and numerous outbuildings – that can be converted for sheltering and adoptions, rehabilitation programs, youth and adult education and a wide variety of other purposes," Daniell said, noting the society envisions a unique, community-friendly complex where the public can view animals for adoption, volunteer, attend education and training sessions on pet behavior, participate in animal-related events and get involved in advocacy campaigns to help animals in need in Surrey. "One idea that we're very excited about is the potential to have a farmers market or retail area on site featuring locally produced, humanely raised meat, poultry and dairy products from partners in our SPCA Certified labelling program.

"We will also be exploring partnerships and joint programming with other local groups which promote animal welfare and the human-animal bond."

The new site is hoped to be operational in early 2012.

Beach access lost to dog owners

2011-01-22T16:43:00.000-08:00

SALI approached the Semiahmoo First Nation Band with an offer to clean up East Beach twice a year. The clean up would not only clean up from dog owners but also the general public that also uses the park. We were never granted a chance to present this suggestion to Charles. This seemed to be a very simple solution, but often simple is not desired.

Dog lovers have lost the privilege of walking our dogs on East Beach. Did a bad few cause this extreme measure? Isn't it a few bad people (not bad dogs)? Shouldn't people be banned instead of dogs?

Simple Arithmetic
When something is taken away - you should give back another option

The option that SALI has been proposing is a Dog Club for members-only. SALI is looking for 30 acres of land where we can build a wonderful off-leash dog park. The park will include a clean swimming pond. Please complete our online Dog Parks Survey. You will automatically be entered to win a free one-year dog park membership. We currently have over 200 completed surveys. Our goal is to get 500 in order to demonstrate the need for this park.

SALI Photo

SALI Photo

For more info on SALI's Off-Leash Dog Park, click here

Semiahmoo Park stays open 'on trial basis'
By Alex Browne - Peace Arch News

Semiahmoo First Nation announced Thursday it is fencing the west side of Semiahmoo Park.

But the band council says it is keeping the park open to the public "on a trial basis" and that it welcomes and encourages visitors during daylight hours – provided they don’t bring dogs or other pets with them.

Band councillor Joanne Charles said in a prepared statement that fencing work, which started on Wednesday, was expected to take two weeks to complete.

Three gates along the east side of the parking lot would be open dawn to dusk to allow public access to the park, she said. New rules will also be posted throughout the almost four-acre area, which will now be entirely fenced by the band.

The east side of the park was partially fenced off in December by the band, which cited safety issues due to a sinkhole on the property and concerns over lack of respect for its land by dog owners. That part of the park is still closed while it undergoes environmental assessment, Charles said.

“This was not an easy decision for us to make, as we do recognize we have shared this park with our Surrey and White Rock neighbours for 50-plus years,” Charles said of the new fence. “However we do feel it is important for the Semiahmoo First Nation to preserve and strengthen our ownership of the land.”

Charles noted that Semiahmoo Park appears on numerous websites as an off-leash dog park.

“While we have nothing against dogs, or pets of any kind, we do want to correct that perception.”

The posted rules prohibit pets. Special events will be permitted, depending on approval by Semiahmoo First Nation.

“We are – and hope to always remain – on the friendliest terms with our neighbours,” Charles said. “We just ask that all visitors to the park respect the rules that will be posted. It would be unfortunate to have to close the park in the event the rules are not obeyed.”

For more info on SALI's Off-Leash Dog Park, click here

SALI's program to spay or neuter one pet a month has turned into two pets a month

2011-01-16T16:56:00.000-08:00

SALI's Mission is to Honour, Respect and Protect the Human/Animal Bond. As we work towards making our community a better place for people and animals, SALI cannot ignore the number of animals that are abandoned, surrendered, or neglected. Often this happens because animals are considered disposable. SALI has decided to help reduce the number of animals that are not part of a family by spaying or neutering one animal a month.

Our first animal in this program was neutered in December. He is part of a loving family that requires pet food assistance in our Guardian Program. He won't be responsible for bringing any puppies into this world so that dogs in the Surrey SPCA shelter can find a home.

SALI has received a very generous offer from Nicole Benes of TD Canada Trust. She will donate $50 from each mortgage sale to SALI's spay and neuter program. SALI has also received a commitment from a donor to pay for one spay or neuter a month. That means that our program has just grown to spaying or neutering two animals a month. Not bad for a program that just began in December!

SALI's Board of Directors hard at work

2011-01-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

We have received a very generous offer to use a local farm for a pilot program for SALI's Farm until we get farm land of our own. SALI's Board of Directors spent the morning at the farm doing chores and getting to know the animals. The animals taught us city girls a lot.

Global TV - Animal Rescue

2010-12-28T19:37:00.001-08:00

Thank you Between Friends Animal Network for rescuing dogs on death row in LA. Many shelters in the US are overwhelmed due to the recession that has hit people hard. Shelters in the Gulf of Mexico have also seen a huge influx of pets due to the gulf oil spill. People are struggling with making ends meet and can't cope with the cost of feeding their pet. The people are stressed and feel that their pet can be placed somewhere else. This is not the case. There are too many pets - their beloved pets are being euthanized. Wouldn't it be simpler to give the people a helping hand and supply them with a month's worth of pet food? Keep people and pets together and this will actually cost less. All that is needed is donated pet food from Canada.

A Hilarious Holiday Video for the Dogs! Enjoy

2010-12-21T22:34:00.000-08:00

This is a story about what can happen when the worst in people meets the best in people and the best wins

2010-12-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

Oogy the dog only a family could love
I picked up the book innocently enough. Reading the jacket cover it was about "a gentle tale of one man's love for his dog and the angels along the way who brought Oogy into his life." What I didn't realize is that this dog was considered garbage after he had been on the losing end of one too many dog fights and that this dog and man would speak directly to the magic of SALI's Farm.

"For most of of us, life represents a balancing act among a series of highs and lows, the struggle to maintain equanimity in the face of so many polarities of experience. But no matter were we reside on this spectrum, all of us know that we will, eventually and without fail, have to deal with tragedy. People we care about disappear from our lives. Animals we love have to be "put to sleep." (How's that for a euphemism to help us deal with the loss?) Loved ones die and drift apart; illness eats up family members and friends in awful ways. Every day we stand an increased chance that our lives will in some way be diminished. And what appeals to everyone about Oogy is that his is proof that what we all know if lurking out there - the awful and, yes, inevitable tragic loss, the unexplainable savage attack, the seemingly insurmountable occurrence - can, in fact, be survived with love and grace intact, without bitterness or resentment, and with an appreciation for all that follows. Oogy is, right there in front of everyone he meets, tangible living proof that there can be happiness, love, and hope on the other side of unspeakable and unimaginable horror" (page 190)

Hero dog survives war torn Afghanistan only to die in a US pound

2010-11-16T17:11:00.000-08:00

A dog survives the riggers of war torn Afghanistan only to lose her life in an animal pound in the US. Early Friday morning Target escaped from her backyard and first thing Monday morning Sergeant Terry Young drove to Casa Grand animal control in Atlanta to pick her up. A worker had already euthanized her.

SALI joins Salvation Army and others at the Whalley Legion

2010-11-13T13:54:00.000-08:00

Surrey shows homeless some people care

October 15, 2010
The Now Newspaper
Ted Colley, Staff Reporter
Good food, haricuts, flu shots and dog grooming were the order of the day October 13th at the Whalley Legion

SALI and the Salvation Army worked side by side giving a helping hand to the homeless in Surrey.

SALI board members and volunteers rolled up their sleeves to provide free pet food & pet supplies, warm water dog wash, nail clipping, vet check, and vaccinations. The dog wash was sponsored by The Paw Spa and veterinary care was provided by Dr. Kortschak & Dr. Welsman of the South Surrey Vet Hospital.

SALI's Farm has a brand new mascot, Foghorn Leghorn

2010-10-12T15:39:00.000-07:00

You will see him in our local communities and around the world. He just got back from the land down under and attracted a lot of attention where ever he went. Yes, Foghorn is actually a turkey, but don't tell him that. Do you know how difficult it is to find a toy rooster?????

Here he is at a Koala Hospital in New South Wales. Check out the great work the volunteers are doing to rehabilitate injured animals

Foghorn at the most Easterly point in Australia. Very fitting for a "rooster" to watch the sun rise!

Great Barrier Reef

I hope to meet Ron one day and his dog and rabbit

2010-09-08T22:14:00.000-07:00

When I read Amy's story about Ron and his need for pet food I didn't have to look too far. SALI already had a large donation of dog food; we bought some rabbit food; we went to the South Point Tisol who donated a lot more dog food and cat food and we were good to go. We loaded up the SALI mobile and made a trip up to Surrey Urban Mission hoping to meet up with Ron.

He wasn't there, but we arrived just in time for a community sponsored breakfast and we got to meet the delightful director of the mission, Jonquill Hallgate. Jonquill told us about the many stories of the people that count on the mission and how many of them have beloved pets. Their pets mean the world to them, but often they just need a little bit of pet food to help make ends meet.

Thanks to the community donating pet food to those in need of a helping hand and to Tisol for being so generous, a lot of people were able to feed their pets and know that people care.

He told me that most of the money he made went straight to his rabbits and - er- cigarettes. Ron was almost out of food for them.

2010-09-07T21:16:00.000-07:00

Hot on the trail of Ron's Story
By Amy Reid, Surrey Now August 31, 2010

Ron Charbonneau caught reporter Amy Reid’s eye on 104th Avenue near King George Boulevard.
Photograph by: Amy Reid, For the Now

It was his sign that caught my eye: "Need a job. Looking fore work. Hard working. Reliable. No addictions. No alcohol."

I have lived in the downtown Surrey area for a large part of my life. I had never seen a sign quite like this. I thought it was quite the advertising technique. He was walking up 104th Avenue just past King George Boulevard. He looked like he had a tough life but I wasn't sure if he was homeless.

I turned my van around, hoping I would be able to find him. And I did. I saw him approaching a building at the corner of 104th Avenue and 134th Street.

I came to discover the Surrey Urban Mission operates out of said building, among other groups.

I also came to discover that Ron Charbonneau was his name. And on the side of the road, he told me his story.

Ron went on to tell me about his dog, who was turning 12 this year. He said he rescued the dog from someone in Alberta after seeing it being abused at only nine weeks old. He also told me about his rabbit. They were his babies, he explained, showing me pictures that he always carried with him.

He told me that most of the money he made went straight to his rabbits and - er - cigarettes.

Ron was almost out of food for them, he said. He tried his hardest to fight tears, but a few came anyway.

To see the whole story, click here

Amy Reid is a freelance reporter with the Now newspaper.

© Copyright (c) Surrey Now

Outstanding Kids in our Community - Adriana Falcon

2010-09-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

Announcing the Better Dog Legislation Forum

2010-09-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

While many cities struggle with animal control policies, the city of Calgary has become a case study in best practices using a common sense and non-breed-specific approach. Their Dangerous Dog Legislation has reduced dog bites by a staggering 75% and Calgary now has one of the lowest bite rates in North America. Perhaps most interestingly, the program operates at a profit due to increased enforcement and fines.

The visionary behind these policies is Bill Bruce, Director of Animal and Bylaw Services. HugABull is pleased to host Mr. Bruce in Vancouver for a forum on effective dog legislation, speaking about his experiences, challenges and successes in implementing Dangerous Dog Legislation.

Event Details
Thursday, September 9
Creekside Community Centre
1 Athletes Way, Vancouver

Registration: 5:30pm
Presentation: 6:00pm

There is no registration fee, but space is limited. Please RSVP to info@hugabull.com

Is John Banovich's dog, Hercules starring in the video?

2010-08-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

Local South Surrey resident John Banovich was selected by Toyota Canada as the grand-prize winner of the company's video contest.

If David Chan had learned empathy towards animals when he was younger - this never would have happened

2010-08-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

Cruelty charge for Pitt Meadows man

BY TAMARA BALUJA, THE PROVINCE AUGUST 29, 2010

Pitt Meadows resident David Chan has been charged with animal cruelty after he allegedly abused his seven-month-old pekinese, Bosco.

A veterinarian alerted the B.C. SPCA after a man brought the dog to the vet's clinic suffering from a broken hip and two fractured hind legs. The dog was euthanized at the owner's request.

"During our investigation we discovered that Chan had taken 11 pekinese dogs to three different clinics on numerous occasions between 2008 and 2010, all suffering from suspicious injuries and ailments," said Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations for the B.C. SPCA.

"Some of the dogs were already deceased from their injuries when he brought them to the clinics, others were suffering from burns, deep cuts, hemorrhages, ulcerated lesions, inflamed ears and eyes, serious fractures and malnutrition."

Dolly, Chan's remaining pekinese, was also taken into protective custody on Feb. 16, Moriarty said. There is no word whether she was also abused.

On Aug. 19, the B.C. SPCA received a report that Chan had purchased another pekinese dog and alerted Coquitlam Crown counsel. After Crown advised the SPCA charges had been approved, Chan was immediately arrested, Moriarty said.

Chan's most recent acquisition, Taffy, was surrendered into SPCA care.

"We are obviously extremely concerned and suspicious of Chan's history with his animals," Moriarty said. "At this point we know the charges relate to one of the dogs, Bosco, but are waiting to hear if Crown will include evidence regarding the other dogs in the case."

Chan is scheduled to appear in Coquitlam court on Sept. 9. If convicted, he faces a fine of up to $10,000, up to six months in jail and a prohibition on owning animals for a period of time to be determined by a judge. Under his bail conditions Chan may not own, possess or be alone with any animal.

tbaluja@theprovince.com twitter. com/tamara_baluja

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/life/Cruelty+charge+Pitt+Meadows/3456663/story.html#ixzz0y1O1Wfrv

Cesar Millan brings live tour to Canada for the first time

2010-08-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

'Cesar Millan LIVE' to visit nine Canadian cities - tickets on sale August 30

TRANSFORM YOUR DOG AND YOUR LIFE!

For the first time in Canada, Cesar Millan shares his secrets on how to transform dogs and their owners in a unique and new live event. Fans and dog lovers alike will be immersed in Cesar’s world, as he reveals his secrets to happier, healthier relationships between humans and their canine companions.

Unleash Your Pack Power
See the multimedia and entertaining Live Show and change the relationship with your dog forever
Become the Pack Leader as Cesar shares his insights about the things we do as humans, which create the problems in our dogs
See the world through your dog’s eyes, by understanding dog psychology, and how this powerful knowledge can prevent and solve everyday behavioral issues

Understanding you, and your dogs energy, and how recognizing how you project your energy can transform your dog.

Tickets for 'Cesar Millan LIVE' go on sale on Monday, August 30 at 10:00 a.m. (local time). Further ticket and tour information can be found at www.cesarmillanlive.ca

'Cesar Millan LIVE' Canadian Tour Dates & Venues:

Victoria, BC - October 26 - Save On Foods Memorial Centre
Vancouver, BC - October 27 - River Rock Casino Resort
Vancouver, BC - October 28 - Boulevard Casino's Red Robinson Show Theatre
Hamilton, ON - October 30 - Copps Coliseum
Toronto, ON - November 1 - Air Canada Centre
London, ON - November 2 - John Labatt Centre
Ottawa, ON - November 3 - Scotiabank Place
Montreal, PQ - November 4 - Bell Centre
Edmonton, AB - November 6 - Rexall Place
Calgary, AB - November 7 - Pengrowth Saddledome
Please note: Cesar Millan Live is for people training, therefore no patron dogs are allowed at the venues - only approved service dogs are permitted.

SALI's Guardian Program up and running

2010-08-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

A seniors home was evacuated due to flooding and a few pets had to be temporarily rehomed. A SALI volunteer fostered pinky for two months.
Before

And after Pinky was treated to a day at the Paw Spa

Pinky enjoyed his temporary home with two other dogs and two cats and led the life of Riley until it was time for the happy reunion back with Joe at the seniors home. Nice to know that Pinky didn't end up in the local shelter just because someone needed a helping hand.

Rules are made to be broken - little dog had not caused any concerns for the past 10 years! - Why now?

2010-08-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

Woman and pet dog offered new leash on life
New Pet-friendly home eyed by Natasha Nicole
BY KELLY SINOSKI, VANCOUVER SUN AUGUST 21, 2010

A Vancouver woman threatened with eviction from her social housing unit because she has a dog was given a break Friday when housing officials said they would transfer her to a new home that allows pets.

Until then, Natasha Nicole, 59, said she was told she can remain in her unit at Seymour Place, where she has lived for nearly 10 years, first with her Shih Tzu, Rajii, and now her Maltesepoodle cross, Oliver.

Nicole, who has doctors' notes saying a pet is necessary for her mental health, said she was elated to get a call from Bob Nicklin, CEO of Affordable Housing Societies, which runs Seymour Place.

"He's going to transfer me to a building that's wheelchair and pet-friendly and he said I could stay here until they found me a place, even if it's a year," Nicole said. "They're actually going to find a place for me so I don't have to get rid of the dog and wait five to seven years for a place with BC Housing when I'm too old to start with a new puppy or too heartbroken to care."

Nicole said as soon as she heard from Nicklin, she could breathe easier. The woman, who suffers from several ailments and uses a wheelchair, said her dog is all the family she has and it keeps her alive.

She had been allowed to keep a pet at her unit for nearly 10 years, she said, because the manager was sympathetic. But when she was offered a new, bigger unit, and admitted to housing officials she had a dog, she was threatened with eviction.

Nicklin told The Vancouver Sun on Thursday his organization has a no-pets policy and that Nicole was in breach of her tenancy agreement. But he added that the society would be willing to work with her to find a solution.

He declined to comment Friday on moving Nicole to a new home, saying any discussions with her were confidential. "We do have certain policies but we can usually find solutions," he said.

The solution suits Nicole just fine. "As soon as I felt like I was safe I felt like I could breathe," she said. "I don't care if I live in a four-by-four cell as long as I have my recliner to sleep in and my puppy. He's my baby."

ksinoski@vancouversun.com

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

2010-08-20T20:50:00.001-07:00

Donkey Wash

2010-08-20T20:17:00.000-07:00

Imagine you were referred to a therapist whose name is Buttons

2010-08-03T16:27:00.000-07:00

Chris laying on Buttons

Would you expect qualified healing from her? Would you expect to get to the core of your issues? You probably wouldn’t take Buttons seriously, but in fact Buttons is helping many children and youth, many who have been labelled “hard to reach”, to talk about their pain and heal emotionally from past traumas. Buttons, along with her colleagues, Rain, Echo, Moonshine, Thorpuppy, Axel, Bob and others, are the “co-therapists” of the Dreamcatchers Farm. Dreamcatchers is a nature-assisted therapeutic farm outside of Edmonton Alberta. Two SALI volunteers, Chris Mayworm and Jan Emsley attended a 4-day training in June to learn more about animal-assisted therapy and how the lessons learned might benefit the planning of SALI’s Farm.
Four-days of training covered theory, research, credentialing, ethics, safety, assessment and treatment. We were also given time to synthesize the new knowledge to figure out how we might incorporate this into our practice. The training was led by Eileen Bona M.Ed. who is a Registered Psychologist and Behaviour Management Specialist and the founder of Dreamcatcher Farm. Eileen is leading a national committee that is developing standards and guidelines for Animal-Assisted Therapy here in Canada.

Chris with Buttons

Lessons learned for SALI:
• There is a distinction made between animal-assisted therapy(AAT) and animal-assisted activity (AAA). AAT utilizes professionals trained in their field of practice. If the goal is to work with physical/motor development, the professional needs to be a physical therapist. If psychological, a mental health professional. Oftentimes there is cross training between the animal-trained professional and the therapeutic professional. SALI’s intended use of volunteers to work with at-risk children will be considered animal assisted activities. But since SALI’s goal is improved mental health, then it is important that training of volunteers be comprehensive and that SALI links with the professionals in the mental health field.

Catching Llamas

• Animals must be chosen carefully for this work. Not every animal will be suited to this work. All the Dreamcatcher animals have been rescued or have special needs in some way, except one who was bred to be a gift. Numerous animals had to be given back because they did not work well with the herd and posed a risk to the clients. This training addressed the criteria to look for when assessing animal whether an animal is suitable for the work.
• Animals can be powerful motivators. Animals keep you in the here and now. Animals ‘force’ you to face your challenges. When used appropriately, animal-assisted therapy can be a faster, more effective form of therapy for children who have failed traditional methods. Working with animals forces the therapist to be real and genuine and attend to the non-verbal.

Jan and Bob

• Because animals are sensitive to the human condition, when used with clients in pain, they need time to “debrief.” Debriefing gives the animal a break and allows them to release the negative energy they absorbed. Having a variety of animals allows for some to take a break. A variety of animals also allows you to be more selective, or the client more selective on the animal to use for a particular goal.

Dreamcatchers Classroom

Jan and Chris are both considering building a mental health practice that incorporates animals. This training was a tremendous starting point for that. Likewise, this training gave us good information to share with SALI as programming for the farm begins. You can check out more about Dreamcatchers by checking out their website at www.dreamcatcherassociation.com

HELP! Cat music video

2010-08-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

Temporary Animal Shelter set up to handle resident pets in apartment fire

2010-07-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

SALI got the alert Tuesday that there was a fire in a seniors complex and there would be many pets evacuated. On Tuesday, an 85 unit housing complex in North Delta was engulfed in flames. We have heard that everyone thankfully got out in time. This was a pet-friendly rental and Delta Emergency Pet Services and Delta Community Animal Shelter are on site helping to trap pets and set up a temporary animal shelter. I have offered SALI's services at the temporary animal shelter if needed. Please let me know if you are interested in becoming certified for future emergency diaster relief. Email info@sali.ca

Mount Lehman and Unbridled Potential

2010-06-21T16:38:00.000-07:00

A few of us drove out to Mount Lehman last week and discovered a wonderful heritage farming area.

We met with Carla Webb and Sharolyn Wandzura and had a tour of Unbridled Potential. It is a special farm for people and horses. They offer a variety of services including life and wellness coaching, Western Horsemanship and Reining, and Equine Guided Development. It was a great chance to connect with people that are helping people and children through the human/animal bond. I can't wait to get SALI's Farm up and running and then I can offer Carla and Sharolyn a tour.

I am so lucky to be in a position to meet with people and animals as part of my networking for SALI. I highly recommend this line of work! Would you like to join our team as a volunteer and help us build SALI's Farm, click here

To learn more about Unbridled Potential, click here

You don't have to be rich and famous to meet a king

2010-06-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of meeting Ben The Granola King at the White Rock Farmers Market last Sunday and we got chatting about his dog Chase. Ben is so thrilled about SALI's mission that he immediately decided to make a donation to our cause. I drove down to the King's head office today and got a royal tour and some hugs from Chase and JD.

Ben gave me some granola to sell at the SALI Dog Wash on Sunday, June 20th. All proceeds of which will go towards SALI's Farm. This king has a kind heart and a generous spirit. Thank you Ben. Next time, I'll bring my tiara!

p.s. I am a granola fanatic and this is the best granola out there

I think I am becoming obsessed with barns

2010-06-03T22:14:00.000-07:00

The life of an amateur fundraiser can be quite daunting and exhausting at times. But

sometimes there is a glass of wine at the end of the tunnel.

I paid a visit to Wellbroke Winery on Wednesday to see if SALI could have an event here in the fall. Here I am with Pat Wilkinson, the wine store manager for Wellbroke. It was a rainy day, yet there were many customers. We had a lot of fun and I felt like I was in an old fashioned store socializing with my country neighbours.

Wellbroke Winery is full of history, hospitable people, and wonderful fruit wine.

Too bad the barn will be too cold in the fall to hold our event here. Stay tuned for more adventures of a SALI fundraiser.

Would you like to join our fundraising team, click here

Check out the July 17th Summerfest at Wellbrook Winery, click here

Surrey YMCA

2010-06-02T15:13:00.000-07:00

Christine and I had a meeting with David Woollven and Darren Mumford of the Surrey YMCA. We showed a short presentation on SALI and SALI's Farm. The YMCA is definitely community minded and this new facility reflects this commitment. YMCA doesn't have specifically designed programs for at-risk children, but that's the void that SALI would like to fill. SALI and the YMCA both want to help break down any barriers that may exist for children. One huge barrier for at-risk children is to have an opportunity to heal from emotional and physical abuse. SALI's Farm will provide children with the restorative touch of an animal, the trust of an animal, and the healing power of nature.

Hope you will join us as we Raise SALI's Barn.

Down on the Farm on the Ellen DeGeneres Show

2010-05-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

SALI has been working hard for two years to build a children's farm here in Surrey. SALI's Farm will be a safe haven for at-risk children and rescued animals to bond, learn and heal with one another.

A similar program was shown on the Ellen Degeneres show this Tuesday. It is called the Gentle Barn and is located in California.See a short video on it here

The children and animals in Surrey are waiting for SALI's Farm to be built. Please help us reach our goal of having it operational in 2011.

See how you can help here

Black Always Anchors a Room

2010-05-25T23:22:00.001-07:00

There are some companies that understand that it doesn't take a beautiful woman to sell a product - it takes a dog!

This ad was in the May edition of Western Living Magazine. Yes, men buy the the hardware, but women decide what hardware to buy. Nice work Victoria Speciality Hardware Ltd. - wish you were on the mainland - I would send my husband there!

Modern Day Barn Raising

2010-05-10T14:21:00.000-07:00

On 8th Avenue just before Sumas Border crossing there is a barn being built. It looks it will be part of a fruit & vegie market. Had to stop and take pics because it made me think about the barn that will be built at SALI's Farm. We are hoping to have a an old-fashioned weekend barn raising in our community in 2011 .... I will keep you posted.

Fraser Valley Criminal Justice Conference

2010-05-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

On April 28th & 29th myself and Christine were at the Fraser Valley Criminal Justice Conference. The topic this year was "Youth and Communities and the Criminal Justice System." SALI was there because the conference had a large prevention and intervention component to it which is near and dear to our mission.

We met Dr. Matt Logan, a retired behavioural psychologist with the RCMP. Matt has been promoting early detection and childhood intervention for many years. He is a firm believer in animal-assisted therapy for the healing and intervention of at-risk children and has endorsed SALI's Farm. We also met Andree Cazabon and she gave us valuable insight into the world of foster care children. She is a highly acclaimed film producer and youth-at-risk advocate & mentor. Her most recent film is Wards of the Crown which follows four youth exiting the foster care system. Andree gave SALI's Farm a rave review and said "if we build it they will come."

Andree and I with Richard Lucy, Deputy Chief Constable of Abbotsford Police.

We also met Carla Web of Unbridled Potential, an equine centre in Langley. Carla has a new program for young girls called "When Magic Happens." She has invited us out to see her centre and we hope to get there soon.

It was an honour to be surrounded by so many people who are working hard to improve the lives of at-risk children.

Fur Baby Mini Session

2010-04-25T17:23:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, May 9,2010 Bliss Designs will be hosting a 30 minute mini photography session to capture your dog's interesting qualities that make him or her a special part of your family.

Contact Dina for details and booking times.

email: dina@blissdesigns.ca

phone: 778-554-3462

Website: www.blissdesigns.ca

Dina is the official photographer for SALI and donates her time at all our events.

Despite Challenges Willie is worth it

2010-04-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

At the Bad to the Bone Pub Nite, I shared the story about Willie needing a new home. Willie is much loved in his present home and a member of the family, but serious health issues mean that they can no longer keep up with Willie's special needs (Willie suffers from seizures and has a strict medication and diet regime.

Good news. Willie has a found a home through a Golden Retriever Club across the border. Willie's mom, Doreen says that Wendy Lau of the Golden Retriever Club of BC was tireless in finding him a home. There is such a wonderful network of groups helping animals in BC. Thank you Wendy - hopefully, we will meet one day.

Willie's story was first published in the Peace Arch News March 11, 2010.

Dispite challenges, Willie is "worth it."

By Tracy Holmes - Peach Arch News

A Big Bad Thank You

2010-04-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who made the second annual Bad to the Bone Pub Nite a success:

our guests

Sawbucks staff

our generous donors and supporters

and our extraordinary fundraising team!

We had a lot of fun and raised $3,700 that will go towards building a barn at SALI's Farm.

We also raised $60 through people and Sawbucks Pub recycling their bottles at Choices Recycling Centre

Bad to the Bone is sold out!

2010-04-13T21:49:00.001-07:00

It will be a great time this Sunday, with a full pub of SALI supporters and dinner, drinks, games and prizes.

Mark your calenders - Sunday, April 18th 5:00 pm

2010-03-24T21:02:00.000-07:00

Check out pics from 2009 Bad to the Bone Pub Nite here

Paint the Dog Park Red

2010-03-18T09:27:00.000-07:00

Paint the Dog Park Red on Sunday, February 21st at Dogwood Dog Park was a lot of fun. We saw a lot of red in support of our Canadian Olympic athletes (that's actually why they won so many medals).

Here are a few pics

See more pics at Semiahmoo Animal League group photos on Flicker, click here

2010-02-12T23:31:00.000-08:00

GO CANADA

Friends of Dogwood - its all about the dogs

2010-02-10T17:12:00.000-08:00

Surrey's Dogwood Dog Park on 20th and 135th has a very active group of dog people who advocate for the park on our behalf.

Friends of Dogwood

..... have been responsible for all the upgrades that have happened at the park recently. A big thank you goes out to them for volunteering their time for those that use the park! This includes Friends of Dogwood volunteer Jane, who on a daily basis cleans up the litter in the park. When you see her, give her a big smile and thank her - maybe even a few special dog treats for her gang.

I had the pleasure of chatting over coffee with Terry of Friends of Dogwood. Together we were going to host a fun event for the Olympics, but the liability cost to SALI was not in our budget. We will have to come up with a contingent fund so we can host an event soon.

Terry, Jane, Debbie, and Chris - you are the unsung heros of Dogwood Park

check out Friends of Dogwood web site here

13th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count

2010-02-06T17:42:00.000-08:00

Great Backyard Bird Count starts February 12th for four days. Why not join in the fun and add your backyard birds to the count.

Here is the February List of Birds for Surrey, click picture

Here is the February List of Birds for White Rock, click picture

On February 15th, you can send your bird count on line, click picture

To send your bird count in snail mail, click picture

500th Dog In Training

2010-02-05T19:51:00.000-08:00

Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) located in Burnaby is celebrating the training of their 500th puppy. Congratulations PADS!

Here's some interesting statistics about all the 500 dogs over the years:

• Labrador Retrievers - 207 (Yellow 105, Black 87, Chocolate 17)
• Golden Retrievers - 90
• Smooth Fox Terriers - 21
• Lab X Goldens - 19
• Schipperkes - 12
• Shetland Sheepdogs - 11
• Standard Poodles - 10
• Labradoodles - 8 (Standard 7, Miniature 1)
• Smooth Collies - 6
• Australian Shepherds - 5
• Lab X Border Collies - 5
• American Eskimos - 4
• Bernese Mountain Dogs - 4
• Chesapeake Bay Retrievers - 3
• Miniature Goldendoodles - 3

Other breeds: Basenjis, Tahltan Bear Dog, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Papillon, Miniature Poodle, Lab X German Shepherd, Karelian Bear Dog, Irish Setter, Miniature Schnauzer, various other crosses.

Taken from Pads Pawprints

Congratulations Penny Meadows of CIBC

2010-01-27T21:30:00.000-08:00

Penny Meadows has been awarded the Business Person of the Year, Corporate at the 2009 Business Excellence Awards. Penny is a financial advisor at CIBC Grandview Corners. The first time I met Penny was at the SALI Dog Wash hosting the CIBC table. Penny is very involved in our community and "walks the talk." Congratulations Penny!

Imagine SALI's Farm recieving $250,000 just with the click of your mouse

2010-01-21T16:14:00.000-08:00

In late November, I found out about an online voting contest with Aviva Community Fund and signed up right away. Unfortunately, we entered in the last days of the competition. Thank you to all our members who did their best, but there was no way to catch up to the leaders who had thousands of votes. Our very own South Fraser Women's Society came very close to making it into the top 10. I am glad I am not a judge picking the winner in the top 10, they all seem to be very worthwhile causes. Best of luck to the top 10.

When land is scarce and dogs need to run free

2010-01-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

Gotta love the creative solution that Cemetery Dogs came up with. When the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC was strapped for cash to keep the cemetery open, dog owners in the city offered to help. A membership dog park was created with the fees going to the association. In 2008 the K9 Corp provided the association with $125,442 of income.

Just goes to shows that where there is a will there is a way.

Check out the cemetery off-leash dog park here

Events and Happenings for animal lovers

2010-01-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

Wish I had heard about this one - SALI would have been up at Whistler to see the incredible world of sporting dogs and to catch the Olympic spirit!

Bonny Makarewicz Photos - For the Province

Canines eat up Incredible Dog Challenge
First time for Purina-sponsored competition in Great White North

Clare Ogilvie
The Province
Sunday, January 10, 2010
For man and his best friend, this weekend's Incredible Dog Challenge is the closest thing they'll get to a Canine Olympics.
So hosting the annual event in the resort home of the 2010 Olympics just seemed to make sense to its sponsor, Purina.
"I was on the mountain for the man-versus-dog slalom race . . . and if you didn't know any better, you would have thought you were at an Olympic event waiting for the skier to come down to the bottom of the slope and finish, so it gave it an Olympic feel," said Jim Allen, Purina's brand manager, on Saturday.
The challenge, now in its 12th year, is held annually.
People and their pooches compete for bragging rights, medals and free dog food. Most contests are held in the U.S., but Purina also hosted one in Sydney just before Australia's Olympics in 2000.
This is the event's first Canadian stop.
Proceeds raised locally are to be divided between Whistler's animal shelter, WAG, and the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association.
For local Karen Smith Williamson it was a chance to try something new -- skijoring, a sport where owners harness up their dogs for some help being pulled while nordic skiing.
"My problem is that [Ringo the dingo] has been very well trained, and he doesn't like to pull," Smith Williamson said after completing the first heat of the race. "He thinks he isn't allowed to."
Bob Fawcett of Whistler Dog sledding, a seasoned skijoring racer, made it through to the finals, with Nighty Night and Winter finishing third in a time of four minutes, 33 seconds on the track that's about a kilometre long.
"They had a bit of a rough time today, as it was soft," Fawcett said, noting that he took a spill as well.
"Skijoring is huge in Europe and I think it will catch on here."
Saturday's winner came all the way from Colorado for the challenge. "We want to promote the sport of skijoring," said Stephanie Dwyer, who participated along with two-year-old canine collaborator Django. "Anybody can do it."
The event can be viewed at pet centric.com in coming days, and will be televised shortly. Last year's challenge will air on ABC-TV on Jan. 24. clareogilvie@telus.net
© The Province 2010

Landlord tells owner his 300 exotic charges must be out by Friday

2009-12-28T11:17:00.000-08:00

I will contact Gary Oliver of Cinemazoo to see if and how SALI and our community can help the animals at his exotic rescue sanctuary. I have never visited the society, so am not familiar with the location or mission. A few comments on the Province web site have a negative tone towards the location and landlord.
We will keep you posted.

Photograph by: Ric Ernst, The Province

Surrey tropical animal collection faces wintery eviction
By Andy Ivens, The Province

For 22 years, Gary Oliver has made saving exotic animals and educating children about them his life's work. But it all could come to a horrible end this week if he can’t find a way to stave off Cinemazoo’s eviction from its North Surrey location.
“It’s a total shock,” Oliver told The Province on Sunday. “What do you do with 300 animals in the middle of winter?” The collection is also used in the local film industry.
Oliver said this past Dec. 1 was the first time he has been unable to pay his $6,000-a-month rent. His landlord told him last week he has to be out by Monday.
“Moving them is going to be risky enough just because it’s cold and they’re all tropical animals,” said Oliver, 63, who lives in a room in the back of the building in the 13500-block of King George Highway.
“Some of them were rescued from rescue places that couldn't keep them anymore.”
Oliver has been unable to find a new home for his exotic menagerie and the high rent in the desirable commercial property he currently occupies makes it obvious he has to move – but he has no idea where.
“To be honest with you I don’t know what’s going to happen to the animals,” he sighed.
“We’ve been trying to find a place to move to and nobody’s available around Christmas. I know there’s way cheaper places than this because we're paying premium rent for 4,000 square feet,” he said.
In the past, Cinemazoo has helped to support a related venture Oliver operates – Urban Safari Rescue Society. Cinemazoo does not charge admission – it’s all funded by donations. Through the society Oliver makes his “primary income,” he said, by giving educational presentations to up to 45,000 people a year, mainly school-aged children.
“Everything from pre-schools to prisons and hospitals to senior homes,” he said describing his patrons.
The animals he shows include exotic birds, reptiles and insects.
“I’ve got an aligator snapping turtle that’s over 100 years old,” said Oliver.
His other prized creatures include a Mexican red-knee tarantula, a blue-tounged skink and various parrots, one of which recently required three separate operations that have cost him dearly.
“We’re the only organization with animals that has ever been allowed into Children’s Hospital cancer clinic,” said Oliver.
He also recently put on his show for a dying child who made her request through the Make a Wish Foundation, he said.
“She passed away,” Oliver said solemnly. “Her mom gave me the most heart-warming letter. I read it once and I don’t think I can read it again.” Oliver said.
"I want to do this for the kids. I want to make it an education for them and make adults aware of what’s going on with these animals in the wild.”
Selling a few of them to save the rest is not an option because it's illegal to trade in exotic animals, he said.
“I'm worried. I haven’t slept for days,” he added.
"I'm not sure what we're going to do. Hopefully we can save them all."
He can't imagine the landlord would simply let all the animals starve to death behind locked doors.
"If they locked the doors, the SPCA would want to come and take the animals, but they would probably end up having to euthanize most of them," said Oliver.
© Copyright (c) The Province

click here to read the story Animals facing cold eviction

SALI offers to help save pet remains interned at property 147A & 78th

2009-11-21T14:21:00.000-08:00

If the B.C. Pet Cemetery in Surrey needs to be relocated, SALI has offered to intern remains and grave stones in our future memorial garden at our dog park. The only logistical problem would be a temporary location for preservation until the garden is operational. We will work with the City of Surrey and Until We Meet Again Pet Cremation in order to safeguard the memory of these beloved pets.

Pet Cemetery may soon make way for housing
By Stuart Hunter, The Province November 18, 2009

When her beloved cat Brittany died this month, Gillian Eggert figured she would bury her beside her five other late animals at the site of the old B.C. Pet Cemetery in Surrey. Eggert was shocked and saddened to see the site in the 14700-block 76th Avenue in Newton being prepared for development.

"I hadn't been out there in six years but, the last time I was out there, everything was fine," she said.

Eggert had five pets buried there between 1972 and 1995. She paid former owners Mary and Daniel Blair $200 to bury each animal and $400 for each headstone. The Blairs founded the 0.2-hectare cemetery in 1952 and about 670 animals were buried there. Mary Blair sold the four-hectare property to a developer for about $900,000 in the mid-1990s. At the time, the developer offered to sell the cemetery portion to the Surrey Pet Cemetery Society but the group couldn't raise the $172,000 asking price. The new owner stopped taking burials.

Nicholas Lai, a Surrey planning manager, said the developer was allowed to build 23 houses but with one restrictive covenant — to preserve the cemetery until Jan. 1, 2010.

"It used to be a place we could go to take flowers and visit our pets and tell them how much we missed them," she said. "People paid good money for those burials and headstones, but no one cares now who is buried there."

Photo by Brian Howell

Human remains on site could kill development

Tom Zytaruk, Surrey Now
Published: Friday, November 20, 2009

Kevin Woronchuck, owner of until we meet Again Pet Cremation is trying to save this pet cemetrary. Woronchuck said people paid former owners up to $600 to have their pet buried there, with a headstone.
"They're assuming that's a forever place," he said. "As a pet owner, that'd be very disrespectful turning it into something else."

Woronchuck said he'd be willing to work with the city to preserve the cemetery or to cremate and relocate the pet remains.

"I think now there's historical value. I really strongly believe that should be preserved."

See the whole story here

BAD to the Bone Pub Nite

2009-11-13T10:24:00.000-08:00

We had a sold out event at Sawbucks Neighbourhood Pub on October 24th

A dinner buffet was included, and then the night was full of fun games. In total we raised $2300.

What an energized evening. Volunteers worked overtime to get the place looking festive and games and prizes in order.

We had a room full of positive energy, support and encouragement, young and old, and of course all animal enthusiasts - or just there for the party :)

Heart warming video of Baxter the Oldest Working Therapy Dog

2009-11-08T21:52:00.000-08:00

Sonoma, California

2009-10-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

Two board members travelled to Sonoma, California this past weekend to tour the Forget Me Not Farm. We met with the director, Carol Rathmann and got to see the farm in action. All travel expenses were paid personally by each board member.

It is a wonderful place of discovery, kindness, and connection to nature. Children aged 3 - 13 come to the farm in groups of 7. The pre-schoolers fed the animals hay and the tweens let the animals out of their stalls into the padocks. The older kids battoned down the hatches as a storm was headed towards southern California while we were there. Each child left feeling successful in the tasks that they preformed at the farm.

The animals have all been rescued and have found a wonderful place to call home.

The children did not have any tasks in the garden because of the "cold" weather but there were lots of beautiful flowers and vegetables ready for picking.

We can't wait to get our hands dirty on SALI's farm!

Barking Buddies Dog Show

2009-09-24T09:47:00.000-07:00

Thank you Baby Cheeks Boutique for putting on a dog friendly community event

Cutest Puppy

Best In Show

Biggest Dog

Stiff Competition

Smallest Dog

Five chances to win shortest tail

SALI's Friend, Lynda and her
five pugs are always a big hit

This sounds like a dog gone good time - you know your dog is best in show

2009-09-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

Animals or people? it's a mistake to compartmentalize compassion

2009-08-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

I found this post on the Vancouver Sun Community of Interest Blog. It is posted by Peter Fricker of the Vancouver Humane Society. I think Peter did an exceptional job addressing the thought process of people who criticize those that help animals - "why help animals when there are starving kids in Africa? Sounds similar to our parents cohercing us to not leave any food on our dinner plates because "there are starving kids in Biafra."

The Vancouver Humane Society's (VHS) recent campaign concerning the Calgary Stampede provoked some interesting responses, especially from the Calgary area. My favourite was: "Leave it alone, you self righteous, tree-humping, granola-swilling, flannel-wearing, jack-ass hippies."

The stereotyping I can live with, but there's another genre of complaint that gets under my skin. It goes something like this: "How can you be wasting your time on animals when there are children starving in Africa."

Variations on this theme include angry instructions to clean up the downtown east side, address B.C.'s drug problems, save the unborn or solve homelessness - all issues that apparently must be dealt with before paying any attention to animals.

Aside from ignoring the fact that VHS is an animal charity with no mandate to address social issues, these complaints suggest there are some strange hierarchical ideas about philanthropy held by at least some Canadians.

A quick check of the facts shows just what a low priority animal welfare is in Canada. Out of all charitable giving in Canada, less than two per cent goes to animal charities (most goes to religious organizations). Public funding for animals (dog pounds, grants to SPCAs) is of course virtually nothing compared to the massive domestic health and welfare system and foreign aid budgets funded by taxation. In terms of a share of national wealth, animals get the change under the sofa cushions.

Yet some people look horrified if you tell them you've made a large donation to an animal charity or even that you've paid a big vet bill. "What a waste," you can see them thinking, "What about those starving African children." But tell them you're taking a luxury cruise and they'll smile with approval and wish you bon voyage. No one ever wags the moral finger when you go out for an expensive dinner or buy Champagne. The African children somehow just don't come up.

We have a standard reply at VHS for those who chastise us for allegedly putting animal welfare before the hungry or the homeless or the sick: "And what do you do for this cause?" The embarrassed attempts to answer usually reveal an armchair pontificator who does very little to help anyone.

Choosing to help animals is a personal decision and although not everyone will feel motivated to make that choice, it should be respected as part of a continuum of compassion that has helped drive civilized behaviour forward. It is a little known fact that William Wilberforce, the man who led the campaign that ended slavery in the British Empire, also founded the first SPCA. He didn't feel the need to put artificial constraints on the breadth of his compassion. The same was true of Gandhi and Einstein, both of whom believed that kindness to animals is integral to the advance of civilization.

Contrary to media stereotypes, it is common to find animal advocates who care deeply about other issues - and they put their time and their money where their hearts are. Most 'animal people' are concerned (and active) about environmental issues, as they affect both animals and humans. Personally, I know one devoted animal lover and ex-VHS staff member who is currently in Uganda helping war-ravaged villages re-integrate child soldiers. And I know of another senior member of a well-known animal rights organization who's leaving to teach deprived children in a big American inner city.

Maybe the important thing isn't which cause you choose to support. Whether you foster a cat, campaign for safer crosswalks or donate to starving children, what really matters is to do something that just might make this planet a safer, kinder, gentler place for people and animals.

A funny thing happened on the way home.....

2009-07-31T21:56:00.000-07:00

SALI was at Doggie Days at the White Rock Farmers Market, but arrived too late to join in on the festivities. But it wasn't a total washout ..... a few pugs ended up needing a ride home

Thanks Lynda and her dogs for making my day!

SALI is thinking of having an event there next year and would love to know your thoughts.
Did anyone catch the events at the Doggie Days. Can you post a comment here....

Tips during a heat wave

2009-07-29T17:55:00.000-07:00

I found this info on the City of Surrey web site. My additions are in red

TIPS DURING A HEAT WAVE

Extreme Heat-wave with Temperatures above 32°C to Persist through mid-week (July 27-Aug 2)

Never leave childen alone in a parked car. Leaving the car windows slightly open or "cracked" will not keep the inside of the vehicle at a safe temperature.
Never leave pets inside a parked car even if it's in the shade, even if it's just for a few minutes while you run an errand. Picture this,
shut your engine off, crack the windows slightly as you would if you were leaving your pet in the car. Sit for a while and notice how uncomfortable it gets. Now put on a coat. Yes, a coat. Because your pet is wearing a perpetual fur coat and what seems comfortable to you will be hot for your pet. Courtesy Animal Rescue League Blog
Drink plenty of water. Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink.
Same goes for all your pets
Avoid sunburn, stay in the shade or use sunscreen.
Animals can also get sunburn - keep sun exposure to a minimum during heat waves
To keep cool on hot days stay indoors in air-conditioned facilities. At indoor temperatures above 35 C, fans are not effective in preventing heat related illness.
Limit daytime outdoor activity to early morning and late afternoon.
Avoid tiring work or exercise in heat.
Check regularly on older people or those unable to leave their homes, for sign of heat-related illness.

Every year, dogs die after being locked inside cars while their owners leave them to shop or run errands, often for "just a few minutes." These tragedies occur with alarming frequency, yet the animals’ deaths are completely preventable.

"People mean well by taking their dogs or other animals along with them while they work, visit, shop or run errands, but warm weather can turn a car into a death trap," said UAN President and CEO Nicole Forsyth.

A Stanford University test found that when it is 72 degrees outside, a car's internal temperature can rocket to 116 degrees within an hour, even with windows cracked. When it is 85 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can soar to 102 degrees in 10 minutes and 120 degrees in 20 minutes. A dog can only withstand a high body temperature for a short time before suffering nerve damage, heart problems, liver damage, brain damage or even death. Courtesy mydogiscool.com

Pet disaster deployment in Kelowna is ending

2009-07-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

Photos curtesy of Noah's Wish

Noah's Wish volunteers worked along side CDART and the SPCA to help evacuate pets in the Kelowna fires. Final count was 125 animals total (49 cats, 38 dogs, 20 horses, 5 rabbits, 4 pigs, 2 turtles, 2 rats, 2 dagus, 1 bird, 1 hamster, 1 gerbil).

Kelowna is becoming well prepared for evacuations and Surrey and White Rock can learn a lot from this current fire and the 2003 fire. Look for tips on disaster planning with pets in future posts.

Photo curtesy of Vancouver Sun

SALI Members on standby to help out in Kelowna Fires

2009-07-19T19:04:00.000-07:00

Our thoughts are with everyone dealing with the forest fires in the Kelowna area; firefighters, residents, volunteers, business', and tourists.

We have two SALI members who are trained for disaster relief and are now on standby to help out if needed. CDART (Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team) is coordinating the evacuation of pets and livestock and has enough volunteers as of today. Depending on how long the evacuation order is in effect, they may need more help in order to relieve current volunteers.

Meet the dedicated people that rehabilitate our local wildlife

2009-07-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

Learn about wildlife rehabilitation in our community.

Critter Care Wildlife Society is having their annual open house this Saturday and Sunday (July 11-12) from 11:00 am to 4 pm. It's the only time in the year Critter Care allows the public to view the wildlife.

481 - 216 Street in Langley, near Campbell Valley Park

All critters big and small video

First of Many SALI Pet Events

2009-07-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

SALI had our first community event Sunday June 28th. Dogs were bathed, brushed, and nails clipped. There was a steady stream of dogs from 10:00 until 3:30. Then we had a wait list of up to 7 dogs. Small, medium, large, we lost count of the number of dogs washed, but it must have been more than 50!

Here's what Walter thought of having to wait for his bath.

There were also raffle prizes and a 50/50 draw. Free gift was given out and an automatic entry to win one free first-year membership to SALI's dog park for taking the time to fill out the Surrey/White Rock Off Leash Dog Parks Survey. There were goodies, ice cream and non stop treats handed out by Lisa for any dog that wagged his/her tail. Great time had by dogs and people. Our community needs way more fun pet events and SALI wants to help make that happen. Thank you Rosemary Centre for being a dog friendly community. Look for SALI in a neighbourhood near you.

Cassie, Tonto, Wylie and Tully joined us from Better Life Dog Rescue (BLDR) and were given a complimentary star treatment - they deserve it.

Everyone fell in love with gentle Ben who is a BLDR animal ambassador. Can we borrow him for our next event?

Thank you Dina of Bliss Designs Photography for volunteering your professional time to SALI. Your pics are exceptional. See all Dog Wash pics on flickr here