The head of cruelty investigations for the BC SPCA is in the doghouse – or at least she will be on Thursday, Aug. 26.

Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations for the non-profit society, will be locked up in a dog kennel at the SPCA's Vancouver shelter in an effort to raise much-needed funds for animal protection in B.C.

 "The BC SPCA is the only animal welfare organization in the province with the authority to investigate animal cruelty, yet we don't get any government funding for this work," says Moriarty. "That means the more than $2 million a year that we spend on cruelty investigations is entirely supported by our donors."

Moriarty is fundraising for the Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause… Walk for the Animals, the society's signature fundraising event that takes place in communities across B.C. every September. With her faithful dog Bogey at her side, she will spend two hours inside a dog kennel calling potential donors on her cellphone.

"Some people might think of being inside a dog kennel as something that's quite negative, but for some of the thousands of animals we rescue every year, a shelter kennel represents the first time they've been indoors, the first time they've been given food and water regularly and the first time they've been given veterinary care. It's the first time someone has cared about them."

Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the BC SPCA investigates nearly 6,000 cruelty complaints a year, and recommends charges to Crown counsel to bring animal abusers to justice. 

Moriarty invites supporters to drop by and say hello to her in the kennel on Thursday, Aug. 26 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. She will be joined in an adjacent kennel by Scotiabank district banking manager Lynne Weber, who will also be dialing donors for support of Paws for a Cause.  There will also be a veggie burger BBQ and free "ask a vet" and "ask a trainer" booths for supporters who drop by.

"The BC SPCA cares for more than 37,000 abused, injured, homeless, lost and neglected animals every year, including domestic, farm and wild animals," said Moriarty. "We urgently need donations to provide services and programs for B.C.'s most vulnerable animals, so I am really hoping people will come through for me when I call on Aug. 26."  You can also sponsor Moriarty online at visit spca.bc.ca/marcie.

The Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause… Walk for the Animals takes place in 36 locations across the province. In Vancouver, the walk is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 12 at Lumberman's Arch in Stanley Park.

The Vancouver SPCA Branch has teamed up with SPCA branches in Burnaby and West Vancouver this year to present a showcase event at Lumberman's Arch in Stanley Park in support of all three locations. Visit spca.bc.ca/walk to register or to sponsor an individual or team.

Photo caption: Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations poses with Donovan in a Vancouver Branch kennel.

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.