Today, the 100th issue of Anim@ls, the BC SPCA monthly e-newsletter, was received by animal lovers throughout the province of B.C., North America and as far away as Brazil, Belgium and Australia.

The BC SPCA is celebrating nearly a decade of providing animal lovers with news about animal issues, trends in animal welfare, adoptable pets, humane education, animal care information, updates on cruelty investigations and details about advocacy campaigns to help abused and homeless animals in B.C.

The first issue of the BC SPCA public e-newsletter, Anim@ls, was published in July 2002, just two years after the original website launched.

Designed to integrate seamlessly with the new website, and provide readers with the most up-to-date information about our work as well as links to breaking news, Anim@ls was immediately popular.

The inaugural issue went out to approximately 2,000 subscribers, with 100 people signing up each week after the initial launch.

In addition to functioning as a regular news bulletin, Anim@ls was also an excellent way to send supporters urgent, timely messages and a means to quickly mobilize support around animal welfare issues or emergencies. By July 2003, there were more than 3,000 subscribers, and as of this issue we are more than 60,000 subscribers strong.

Readers include members of the BC SPCA Online Community such as donors, society members, partners, staff and friends of the BC SPCA, as well as all those who support our mission or just want to find out more about us and the work we do. Together we are a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Thank you for your support and please share the newsletter with others.

To receive the latest news and events in support of animals in need, become a BC SPCA Online Community member today. On behalf of all the animals we care for and protect, thank you for supporting the BC SPCA.

The BC SPCA provides care and protection to more than 34,000 animals each year. Your gift can help give a homeless, injured or abused animal a second chance. Please donate today.

Photo caption: The October 2002 issue of the BC SPCA Anim@ls email newsletter (top) and the 100th issue delivered on June 3, 2011 (bottom).

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.