The BC SPCA needs help to deal with all the animals that have had to be evacuated due to B.C.’s wildfires.
This past Friday, an evacuation order was issued for areas that included the BC SPCA’s Quesnel Branch, and taken the precautionary measure of evacuating animals from its Williams Lake Branch – with about 60 animals shipped to shelters throughout the Lower Mainland.
“Evacuations are a stressful time for everyone. This most certainly includes the animals we love and care for – they are no doubt feeling it,” says Mark Takhar, BC SPCA’s chief operations officer. “As there are a number of other areas are under evacuation alert, we continue our preparations, as many expect to see warm, dry weather over the next while. Although we’re hoping we don’t see a repeat of last summer’s devastating wildfires, our staff, volunteers and officers are ready, willing and able to feed and comfort any animals in need of our help.”
In 2017, more than 1,000 wildfires swept across the province, forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes. This included cats, dogs, ferrets, birds, fish – and in one instance, a snake. In some cases, evacuees had to leave animals behind – like pigs, cows, chickens and horses. Others were in dire need of emergency shelter for their pets until they could claim them.
The BC SPCA is asking for donations to support efforts to rescue and care for animals during the wildfires emergency at spca.bc.ca/emergencyalert.
