If you're considering the cute puppy or kitten in the pet store window as a Christmas gift, think again. There are already 4,000 animals up for adoption this holiday season, and the B.C. SPCA is hoping to find them homes.
"The SPCA strongly discourages giving pets as gifts," said Lorie Chortyk, B.C. SPCA spokesperson.
"But if an individual or family has carefully considered their decision and the responsibility of a new pet, the holidays can be an optimum time to adopt.
Families are more likely to be off work or school during the holiday and have more time to spend with their new companion animal."
There are cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, rabbits and small animals that need homes. To search for adoptable pets, go to spca. bc.ca.
DONATE COATS
The Rotary Coats for Kids campaign got a boost from Burnaby Central students and Investors Group. Students collected coats and presented 50 on Dec. 14, while Investors Group held a fundraising lasagna dinner to add to their corporate donation.
The Rotary Coats for Kids project takes donations of gently used or new warm, winter coats (preferably with hoods) and loads them onto a truck, which functions like a mobile dressing room.
The truck makes stops in the community to distribute the coats to local kids in need.
Volunteers have finished distribution this year, but they are still looking for more donations, as there will likely be more requests for coats this year and next. To donate, get in touch with Gloria Tom Wing Staudt: gloria@peaksuccess coaching.com.
TOYS FOR OTHERS
One young boy at Aubrey Elementary has been inspired to celebrate selflessly this year. Grade 7 student Dominik Svorinic and his friends - Miranda Ta, Bassam Nima and Luke Lortie - are collecting toys for the B.C.
Children's Hospital and Variety - The Children's Charity. Apparently, Dominik is asking his family members to make toy donations to the cause in lieu of receiving gifts. To donate, drop off toys (no stuffed animals, please) at Aubrey Elementary in the foyer at 1075 Stratford Ave. during school hours. The deadline for donations is today (Friday, Dec. 16).
SPIRIT OF GIVING
Here's a good idea to raise money for your favourite local charity this Christmas. Nearly 20 women from Delta Kappa Gamma Society International raised $525 for the Burnaby Children's Fund and donated toiletries and small gifts for Dixon House, a Burnaby transition house for women escaping abusive relationships. Instead of celebrating in a restaurant, the group of women used the money they would have spent on dinner out, and donated it to the Burnaby Children's Fund, while enjoying a meal together in one of the member's homes.
The Burnaby Children's Fund is a registered charity run by counsellors and teachers from the local school district. The money buys clothes, shoes, medicine and medical aids (not covered by medical plans) and beds for kids who have nowhere to sleep.
TEEN ARTISTS
The Burnaby Public Lbrary has a contest on that may interest budding, young artists. The library is seeking art submissions for the cover of The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. The prize is a box set of all three books in her series. Any medium can be used, but the cover must be drawn by hand.
Drop submissions off until Jan. 15 at any library branch, and make sure your name, age, library card number and phone number are included. For more information, call Julia, the teen services librarian, at 604-297-4803.
Have an item for Here and Now? Send it to reporter Jennifer Moreau by email at [email protected] or fax to 604-444-3460.
