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Turn brrrs into purrs

Temperatures are down and your toes are starting to freeze, which means your furry friend's paws are also feeling the bite of old man winter.

Many cats here in the Okanagan are without a forever home, and the BC SPCA would like to bring them inside during the winter months but first they need to create the space in which to house them.

Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations, said when one cat is adopted it means space becomes free for another fuzzy buddy to come into the shelter.

“It allows us to bring another cat in from the frigid winter conditions experienced in much of the province,” she explained. “The society takes in several thousands of cats each year – right now, there’s more than 1,400 felines in BC SPCA care who need loving, forever homes.”

That’s why, up until Nov. 30, all adult cat adoption fees are 50 per cent off for the 'turn brrrs into purrs' event.

Homeless cats are a major issue in B.C., often suffering from injury, illness, predator attacks and frostbite. Illegal abandonment and animals who aren’t spayed or neutered contribute to the problem, as well as cats without permanent identification like a microchip or a tattoo, who are never reunited with their guardians.

Chortyk noted the adoption fee includes vaccinations, spaying or neutering, permanent ID, any necessary medical care, and internal and external parasite treatment. Normal adoption counselling and matching takes place to ensure animals go to a good home, and Petsecure provides six weeks of free pet insurance.

All cats are microchipped, and for only $12 annually or a $45 lifetime fee, the animal will be registered in the province-wide BC Pet Registry, to help ensure if a pet is lost, they can be found and reunited with their family.

If you're unable to adopt at this specific time but still wish to give back to the BCSPCA, the Kelowna branch is holding its annual bake sale on Dec. 12.

You can purchased delicious baked goods made by dedicated volunteers, from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. at 3785 Casorso Rd.



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