Burnaby SPCA seeks help to fund medical needs of abandoned animals

May 16, 2012. For immediate release.

A generous anonymous donor has offered to match up to $20,000 in community donations to help care for animals at the Burnaby SPCA shelter. The Burnaby SPCA has been hit with unexpected medical costs after several dogs were found abandoned near Marine Drive, just east of Boundary Road. During the past two weeks, five dogs were found abandoned – all requiring extensive medical treatment for dental problems, skin conditions and other issues most likely caused by neglect. In addition, Rosie, River, Tinker-Bella, Dorito and Burrito were all unsterilized and had to be spayed and neutered.

“The animals all came from the same area – some near Glenlyon Parkway, others near Roseberry,” says Ryan Voutilainen, manager of the Burnaby SPCA Branch. “We don’t know if they were from a backyard breeder in the area who just abandoned them or if the dogs were dumped off in that region, but they each required up to $500 in medical care, which has really put a strain on our medical budget.”  The BC SPCA cares for more than 32,000 abused, homeless and injured animals each year and relies entirely on donations to carry out its work.

The dogs – ranging from Chihuahuas and poodle-crosses to a Shar-pei and pit terrier crosses - have all now received treatment, but Voutilainen is hoping that members of the public will help fill the gap that now exists in the branch’s medical budget. “We have a wonderful donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, who is willing to donate up to $20,000 to match any community donations made to the Burnaby SPCA. We are appealing to the public to help us out as we know that many more injured and neglected animals will be coming through our doors in the upcoming months.” He notes that if donations reach the maximum amount for the matching donation, the branch will be able to cover its medical budget for the full year.

“When animals come into our care with urgent medical needs, the ability to move quickly to relieve their suffering is so important,” says Voutilainen. “We are so grateful to our anonymous donor and to anyone who can help us take advantage of her very generous offer to help the dogs who recently came into our care and other animals in need.”

If you can help, please contact the Burnaby SPCA Branch at 604-291-7201 or visit spca.bc.ca/support and direct your donation to the Burnaby Branch.

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For more information:

Ryan Voutilainen, manager, BC SPCA Burnaby Branch, 604-291-7201;

Lorie Chortyk, general manager, community relations, BC SPCA, 604-830-7179.

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.