BC SPCA: Annual City Challenge pits old rivals Kamloops and PG against each other

Annual City Challenge pits old rivals Kamloops and PG against each other

May 14, 2010

Kamloops is taking on Prince George for the Stanley Cup of SPCA fundraisers.

The City Challenge is back, this year boasting for the first time a full month of events to benefit homeless animals in Kamloops and Prince George. The two communities are competing against each other, with bragging rights to the one who raises the most cash for their local SPCA.

"Kamloops and Prince George haven't faced off since 2005, when of course Kamloops won," says Risa Leake, assistant manager of the Kamloops SPCA Branch. "Like a dog before a flea treatment, Prince George is itching to win the rematch but they really shouldn't get their hopes up."

Leake's fighting words are all in jest because the true winners are the animals in both communities.

The theme of this year's City Challenge, which runs from May 1 to 31, is "old rivals meet again." The event officially kicks off on May 1 with a barbecue and silent auction at the Kamloops shelter, 1211 8th St., from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mayor Peter Milobar will be on hand to help get things started and offer words of encouragement to local animal lovers.

The official launch will also include a free draw for an oversized stuffed animal, a cheque presentation and raffle tickets for a motorized Yamaha scooter from Schultz Motorsports.

"But that's not all," stresses Leake. "This is a month-long challenge so we've got activities going on throughout May."

On Saturday, May 15, the public is invited to the BC SPCA & Hill's® Science Diet® Open House at the Kamloops shelter from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The family-focused event includes a barbecue, children's games and prizes, a bouncy house for kids and special guests of the furry and four-legged kind from the shelter. Hill's Science Diet, which generously donates all the food for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens at BC SPCA shelters across the province, offers a free bag of food with every adoption.

On May 29, there is a final Roundup event at the Kamloops Walmart store. There will be a barbecue and raffle ticket sale, and Radio NL will be broadcasting from the store location.

Then on May 31 from 5 p.m. on, a pub night fundraiser is set for the Fox'n Hounds, 945 Columbia St. West. Tickets are $10 and include a scrumptious dinner. There will also be a 50/50 draw and a silent auction.

Leake says the fundraising goal for Kamloops in the City Challenge is $40,000.

"This will go a long way toward improving the lives of animals in our community," says Leake. "Our branch alone cares for 1,700 animals a year, and we couldn't do that without the support of so many people."

Help the Kamloops branch of the BC SPCA help more homeless animals in your community. Your gift could save a life. Please donate today.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.