Volunteers help remove donated trees during the 2023 tree chipping and bottle drive at the Nanaimo and District SPCA. Their 2024 event takes place from Jan. 5-7, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. (NDSPCA Facebook Page)

By Jordan Davidson

good cause

Nanaimo SPCA caps off year with over 650 animals adopted to forever homes

Jan 5, 2024 | 1:54 PM

NANAIMO — The local SPCA is looking back on their last year with pride, after helping find homes for more than 650 animals in 2023.

The Nanaimo and District SPCA (NDSPCA) recently announced their animal adoption totals for 2023, which include 465 cats/kittens, 125 dogs/puppies, and 67 other small animals like birds and rabbits.

Katie Heagle with the NDSPCA said they’ve had more small animals come through their doors last year than they’ve had in quite a while.

“Our staff have done an incredible job working with our fosters and volunteers and with the local vets to make sure every animal has received the medical care they needed and also behaviour modification if necessary.”

Heagle said none of that would have been possible without their hardworking staff and army of volunteers who clean kennels, walk dogs, and spend time socializing the animals.

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Some local trainers also donate their time to work with the animals in care on medical or behavioural issues.

“We are always looking for volunteers, whether they want to come and sit on the couch and watch cartoons with a dog, or if they want to volunteer to help clean dog kennels, take dogs for sniffy walks, working with cats. We have endless fun jobs that volunteers can help do.”

Volunteers at the NDSPCA need to be over 18 or have a guardian with them if they are under 16.

Heagle said up for adoption shortly are four separate litters of puppies they received leading up to Christmas.

The NDSPCA is also hosting a tree chipping and bottle drive fundraiser this weekend at their 154 Westwood Rd location, taking place from Friday, Jan. 5 to Sunday, Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day.

Those who donate will get a coupon courtesy of Panago Pizza on Fourth St. in Nanaimo.

More information can be found on the NDSPCA Facebook page.

Staff and volunteers at the NDSPCA are set up and ready to go on Jan. 5 for their weekend Christmas tree-chipping and bottle drive fundraiser. (NDSPCA Facebook page)

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow