June 10, 2011 update

Congratulations to the BC SPCA "What's in a name?" Facebook contest winner, Kara Krisandra Johnson.

Her twin kittens Henrik and Daniel, named in honour of the Vancouver Canucks dynamic duo, received the most number of "Likes" in a contest asking animal lovers to share a story or photo of a furry friend named after a favourite hockey player or team.

Photo caption: Twin kittens, Henrik and Daniel, were named after the Vancouver Canucks duo in celebration of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Kara has won the unique opportunity to name an animal in the care of the BC SPCA. She chose to name a homeless kitten at the BC SPCA Maple Ridge Branch after Vancouver Canucks great, Trevor Linden.

Visit facebook.com/bcspca to view all the entries and to connect with a network of passionate people who speak for those who can't speak for themselves.

Photo caption: A homeless kitten was named "Linden", after Vancouver Canucks great Trevor Linden, by the winner of the BC SPCA "What's in a name?" Facebook contest.

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.

June 6, 2011

Canucks fever has taken over the province, but there's no need to call a veterinarian.

Instead, the BC SPCA is inviting animal lovers to visit the BC SPCA Facebook page and share a photo or story of a furry friend named, or temporarily re-named, in honour of a favourite hockey player or team. The posting with the most "Likes" as of Friday, June 10 at 9:00 am will have the opportunity to name a homeless animal in the care of their local BC SPCA branch.

"Hockey fans in British Columbia have a deep connection with the sport and the Vancouver Canucks," says BC SPCA Website Administrator, Kate Salm. "We know these same people can be very passionate about homeless, injured and abused animals in their community. Bringing these two concepts together is a power play advantage for us in our goal to continue raising awareness for animals in need and finding loving new homes."

A kitten receiving care from a BC SPCA Vancouver Branch volunteer foster guardian was recently named “Bieksa” as a nod to Vancouver defenceman, Kevin Bieksa. Little Bieksa was just seven weeks old when he was found homeless and suffering from dehydration on May 24 near Musqueam Park in Vancouver. The tiny survivor is showing the same strong will as his namesake, as he learns to cope with a possible visual impairment. Bieksa will remain in foster care until a veterinarian clears him for adoption.

Visit facebook.com/bcspca to enter your hockey-related story or photo of a pet. Then, invite friends and family to "like" your post for your chance to give an animal in need a special start in life.

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: Two-month-old Bieksa was named in honour of a Vancouver Canucks defenceman in celebration of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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.