BC SPCA launches new satellite adoption program

October 1, 2009. For immediate release.

The BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Bosley's to open SPCA satellite adoption sites in 17 Bosley's stores in the Lower Mainland, Victoria and Nanaimo. The program is already operating at the Bosley's location at 3675 Westminster Highway in Richmond (Terra Nova) and will roll out in other store locations as soon as the enclosures needed to house the animals are available. In addition to providing space in its stores for the on-site adoption of SPCA animals, Bosley's has made a $20,000 donation to the satellite adoption program to assist in the purchase of enclosures and other equipment to expand the operation.

"We are delighted to be partnering with Bosley's," says Craig Daniell, chief executive officer of the BC SPCA. "They are a wonderful organization and we are very grateful for their assistance in finding homes for animals in need." He estimates that more than 2,000 homeless cats and kittens a year will find new families as a result of the agreement.

Mary Prantner, director of retail operations for Bosley's, says the link with the BC SPCA fits with the chain's philosophy of not selling live animals. "We always urge our customers to adopt their pets from a rescue organization or to buy from a reputable breeder to avoid supporting puppy and kitten mills," she says. "We wholeheartedly endorse the SPCA's mission of finding good homes for animals who have been abandoned or abused so we were extremely pleased when this opportunity came along."

The Bosley's partnership is a key component in the new network of satellite adoption centres launched this week by the BC SPCA after the non-profit animal welfare society was forced to pull its animals from adoptions centres in Petcetera stores across the province earlier this year.

"It was a challenge for us when we had to remove all of our animals from Petcetera stores but it also gave us the opportunity to look for ways to expand and diversify our satellite adoption program. The new relationship with Bosley's is an excellent match for us." He notes that while Petcetera has announced plans to reopen some of its locations, the BC SPCA will not be returning any animals to their stores, in part because of Petcetera's recent decision to sell exotic animals. "We cannot have a relationship with anyone who supports the trade of exotic wild animals, to which the BC SPCA and other animal welfare organizations are vehemently opposed," says Daniell.

In addition to locating in Bosley's stores and other pet food supply retailers, the BC SPCA is also looking to the veterinary community to help expand its network of satellite adoption sites. "We do have some existing relationships with veterinary clinics throughout the province and we are looking to expand the program, particularly in Metro Vancouver," said Daniell.

• Click here for a list of Bosley's stores with location & contact information (PDF, 130 KB)

Dr. John Anderson of Anderson Animal Hospital in Vancouver has signed on as the first veterinarian in Vancouver to host a BC SPCA satellite adoption centre. Dr. Anderson will house two to four SPCA cats per week at his clinic on South Granville street and is so committed to the program that he donated the cost of the enclosures and is providing free spay/neuter operations, vaccinations and dental surgery for the incoming cats. He hopes his enthusiasm for the program will encourage other veterinarians to come on board.  "As someone who is dedicated to animal welfare, I am thrilled to be helping the BC SPCA," says Dr. Anderson. "This is a small thing we can do that will make a big difference for animals in need."

The BC SPCA's network of satellite adoption centres is linked to the society's Drive for Lives program, which transfers thousands of animals each year from areas of the province where there is overwhelming pet overpopulation to southern B.C. where homes can be found for them. To make a donation or learn more about the SPCA's satellite adoption or Drive for Lives programs, please visit spca.bc.ca. Veterinary clinics or other retailers interested in becoming an SPCA satellite adoption site are invited to call the BC SPCA at 604-681-7271.

For more information:

Lorie Chortyk, BC SPCA general manager, community relations, 604-647-1316, 604-830-7179 (cell);

Mark Takhar, assistant manger of operations, BC SPCA, 604-841-6079;

Mary Prantner, director of retail operations, Bosley's, 604-233-4489.

Dr. John Anderson, via Brenda Jones at 604-312-1070.

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.