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Penticton News

SPCA offers pet advice for cold weather and Christmas

SPCA employee Heather Buttero with Parmley, one of Penticton SPCA's cats up for adoption.

PENTICTON - As Penticton experiences its second cold snap of the season, the Penticton SPCA offers some words of advice for animal lovers.

“Bring animals in from the cold,” is some simple advice  Corinne Ross, Branch Manager for the Penticton SPCA, offers.

“It depends on the dog, as to how much cold they can experience, but every dog outside should have access to shelter, portable water - to keep it from freezing - and a dry place.” Ross recommends  using straw for bedding rather than blankets, as blankets tend to get damp.

“For 100 reasons, cats do better inside in the winter,” Ross said, noting such hazards as salt (not good for paws), anti-freeze (deadly if ingested) and cat’s propensity for climbing into recesses around warm vehicle engines. Cats who have not been spayed or neutered also have more opportunity to breed when left outside, said Ross.

As Christmas approaches, Ross also cautions pet owners to be careful when decorating and leaving Christmas treats around the house.

"Keep tinsel away from your pets,” she said. “And most people are aware that chocolate isn’t good for dogs."

Ross said the Penticton community has been “amazing” to the degree in which the SPCA’s needs have been provided through donations.

The society’s wish list includes timothy hay, cleaning and office supplies, rabbit and guinea pig food, gift cards, even Canadian Tire money.

They cannot accept pillows, down filled comforters or sleeping bags, however.

The Penticton SPCA is also hosting two youth workshops over the holidays,  for kids aged seven to 12. On December 23 the B.C. SPCA youth workshop “Crafts for Critters” takes place at the SPCA shelter, located at 2200 Dartmouth Road. On December 30,  it’s “New year, New Life for Animals.” The workshops  run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a cost of $30, or $25 for Kids Club members. For more details and to register, visit the spca website at: spca.bc.ca/kidsevents

The Penticton SPCA also has a number of gift ideas for animal lovers, including T shirts, hoodies, pens, balls, bags and mugs. The shelter also has a donation table where residents can exchange garage sale - type pet items for cash donations to the SPCA.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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