Almost $10,000 was raised in Nanaimo during the tenth annual Lock-in For Love event, with volunteers spending time ”locked” in kennels with adoptable animals on Saturday, June 27. (Image Credit: BC SPCA Nanaimo)

By Jordan Davidson

for the animals

‘A lot of fun:’ funds raised for pets in need during Nanaimo SPCA’s Lock-in For Love

Jul 3, 2026 | 2:08 PM

NANAIMO — Animal lovers spent all last month raising money for their local SPCA, with some spending time behind bars until their fundraising goals could be met.

The BC SPCA’s 10th annual Lock-in for Love event culminated on Saturday, June 27, when multiple people spent the day in a kennel with a rescue animal, “locked in” while raising money for pet food, blankets, and vet appointments for rescue animals across B.C.

Kevanna Mirau from Nanaimo SPCA said the event always brings out the generous spirit of the community.

“It went really well, we had a lot of community support, people coming into the shelter, a few people locked in our dog kennels and it was a lot of fun. We have a couple of people that definitly like to come back and support us every year, but there seems to be a fresh face every year.”

She said volunteers spent anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours in captivity, with $9,285 raised locally.

for the animals

'A lot of fun:' funds raised for pets in need during Nanaimo SPCA's Lock-in For Love

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Province-wide, over $150,000 was raised, with donations still coming in.

Drinks, snacks, and even a cake were provided for volunteers at the 2026 Lock-in for Love event at the Nanaimo SPCA. (Image Credit: BC SPCA Nanaimo)

Mirau said not only is money raised to help their animals at all of their B.C. centre, but several pet applications are also usually submitted on the day of the event.

Last year, over $280,000 was raised province-wide for Lock-in for Love, all of which goes right back into their organizations to help animals in need.

More information on the BC SPCA’s Lock-in for Love event can be found here.

If you’re interested in adopting a pet, you can submit an application online and book an appointment if it’s a match, or stop by the Nanaimo and District BC SPCA location at 154 Westwood Rd., Tuesday-Sunday from noon until 4 p.m.

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by Jordan Davidson

‘A lot of fun:’ funds raised for pets in need during Nanaimo SPCA’s Lock-in For Love

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