Pets

Sgt. Shane Worth of the Oceanside RCMP and Rana are featured in the 2024 ‘Officers on Pawtrol’ calendar, a major fundraiser for the Balfour’s Friends Foundation. (Donna Michiel photo)

Charity calendar features Vancouver Island police and their best friends

‘Officers on Pawtrol’ calendar is a fundraiser for the Balfour’s Friends Foundation

 

(Black Press file photo)

Pet welfare now considered in family separations under new B.C. law

Ability and willingness to care for an animal, relationships between it and a child now relevant

 

Several people in B.C. went to court over custody of their cats. (Elizabeth Wilkins via AP)

Victoria woman accused of trying to send ‘imposter’ cat to ex after messy breakup

This is just one of many wild court cases involving pets and breakups

 

A fight over who owns a cat ended up in court. (Pexels photo illustration)

Court orders Victoria woman to return Tobi the cat to ex after breakup

Man said he was the rightful owner of the cat

A fight over who owns a cat ended up in court. (Pexels photo illustration)
Dogs Daisy, left, and Maggie race through fresh snow near Cremona, Alta., Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. While many people can experience health and sleep complications that come with seasonal time changes, many don't realize their furry friends can feel the effects too. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Pet peeve: time change can be extra hard on Rover and Fluffy

Switching the clock back is going to throw of the daily rhythm for your pet

Dogs Daisy, left, and Maggie race through fresh snow near Cremona, Alta., Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. While many people can experience health and sleep complications that come with seasonal time changes, many don't realize their furry friends can feel the effects too. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
From premiums and lifetime costs, to specific medical challenges that come with certain breeds, there are things to consider before getting pet insurance. (Contributed photo by the Animal Protection Society)

Things to consider when deciding on insuring your Greater Victoria pet

In 2020 only 2.74 per cent of almost 16 million pet cats and dogs in Canada were insured

From premiums and lifetime costs, to specific medical challenges that come with certain breeds, there are things to consider before getting pet insurance. (Contributed photo by the Animal Protection Society)
The National Institutes of Health stated that roughly 20 per cent of dogs experienced separation anxiety pre-pandemic and vets estimate that number to be higher post-pandemic. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald)

Pet separation anxiety grew amid the pandemic: here’s how to help

Pet experts give advice on helping reduce problematic behaviours

The National Institutes of Health stated that roughly 20 per cent of dogs experienced separation anxiety pre-pandemic and vets estimate that number to be higher post-pandemic. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald)
The BC SPCA is offering support to pet owners who are dealing with the threat of wildfires. (BC SPCA photo)

BC SPCA taking in pets of wildfire evacuees, deploying more staff in Thompson-Okanagan

BC SPCA has 24 animals in their care with more requests coming in

The BC SPCA is offering support to pet owners who are dealing with the threat of wildfires. (BC SPCA photo)
Owners of pets left unattended in hot vehicles can have their pets seized and be fined $500, police advise. (Stock photo)

See a dog in a hot Vancouver Island car? Consider this before smashing windows

Nanaimo RCMP report 13 calls this summer about pets inside hot cars

Owners of pets left unattended in hot vehicles can have their pets seized and be fined $500, police advise. (Stock photo)
Pets can be great road trip companions, when we keep a few safety tips in mind.

Keep your pets safe for road trip season

By Blair Qualey As hot weather takes hold, many of us will…

  • Jul 31, 2023
Pets can be great road trip companions, when we keep a few safety tips in mind.
(file photo)

Animal Food Bank desperate for Okanagan donations to support fire evacuees

Food donations can be dropped off at Total Pet in Kelowna or Kamloops

  • Jul 23, 2023
(file photo)
Brad Pitt is one of the rabbits available for adoption in the BC SPCA’s half-price ‘bunanza’ event, July 14-23. (Contributed photo)

BC SPCA offering 50% off rabbit adoption fees in ‘bunanza’ event July 14-23

Increase in numbers means B.C. residents can adopt a bunny for half-price

Brad Pitt is one of the rabbits available for adoption in the BC SPCA’s half-price ‘bunanza’ event, July 14-23. (Contributed photo)
Oak Bay Fire Department Lt. Kyle Beaumont asks people to leave the pets at home, while using ‘Sparky’ as an example. (District of Oak Bay/Instagram)

Don’t leave dogs in hot cars, Oak Bay firefighters plead in short video

Leave Sparky at home, with a friend or at least use dog mode

Oak Bay Fire Department Lt. Kyle Beaumont asks people to leave the pets at home, while using ‘Sparky’ as an example. (District of Oak Bay/Instagram)
Victoria Fire Department uses a special oxygen mask after a pet cat suffers smoke inhalation. The department routinely carries the specialized equipment. (Victoria Fire/Instagram)

Victoria firefighters save pet cat with specialized oxygen mask

Pet-friendly life-saving gear is part of the regular kit for many Greater Victoria departments

Victoria Fire Department uses a special oxygen mask after a pet cat suffers smoke inhalation. The department routinely carries the specialized equipment. (Victoria Fire/Instagram)
A dog found severely matted and in pain on a Sorrento property received some needed TLC from a local groomer, Donna Meads, who is now interested in adopting the pup. (Amy Berry photo)

Severely matted and in pain, dog found wandering Shuswap given new ‘leash’ on life

A Rover Makeover grooming, community support helping neglected dog find new family

A dog found severely matted and in pain on a Sorrento property received some needed TLC from a local groomer, Donna Meads, who is now interested in adopting the pup. (Amy Berry photo)
In this Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019 file photo, a foothold trap intended for bobcat is seen. In B.C. an average of 10 cats and dogs are accidentally caught in wildlife traps each year. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)

Call for regulations after numerous cats, dogs caught in wildlife traps in B.C.

Average of 10 pets accidentally trapped each year from 2015 to 2021

In this Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019 file photo, a foothold trap intended for bobcat is seen. In B.C. an average of 10 cats and dogs are accidentally caught in wildlife traps each year. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
Managing editor Katie Engqvist’s cat Murray likes all boxes, regardless of whether his large frame fits inside. (Katie Engqvist/News Staff)

Unofficial Holiday: Tuesday is National Pet Day

Celebrate the joy these family members bring to a home

Managing editor Katie Engqvist’s cat Murray likes all boxes, regardless of whether his large frame fits inside. (Katie Engqvist/News Staff)
Rescue cats, like Tangerine and her kittens will benefit after PetSmart Charities of Canada donated $11,500 to CatNap Society in Nanaimo. (Submitted photo)

Donation to Nanaimo cat rescue non-profit will further help felines

PetSmart Charities of Canada grants $11,500 to CatNap Society in Nanaimo

Rescue cats, like Tangerine and her kittens will benefit after PetSmart Charities of Canada donated $11,500 to CatNap Society in Nanaimo. (Submitted photo)
Sugar, a 2-year-old French bulldog, licks her mouth while waiting to be groomed during the Thailand International Dog Show in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 29, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kankanit Wiriyasajja

Beloved and debated, French bulldog becomes top US dog breed

Labrador retrievers bumped after 31-year run, new top dog wasn’t even in top 75 a quarter-century ago

Sugar, a 2-year-old French bulldog, licks her mouth while waiting to be groomed during the Thailand International Dog Show in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 29, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kankanit Wiriyasajja
Wildlife advocates suspect seven skunks found dead in Richmond ate rat poison and are urging people to show more awareness of the effects of poison on the food chain. (pixabay photo)

Seven skunk deaths prompt poison warning in Greater Vancouver area

Toxicology reports pending, large quantities of rat poison suspected in Richmond, B.C. deaths

Wildlife advocates suspect seven skunks found dead in Richmond ate rat poison and are urging people to show more awareness of the effects of poison on the food chain. (pixabay photo)