Help animals better life

 To help make life better for the animals in our communities:

1.  ID your pet. The SPCA reunites thousands of lost animals with their families every year. Many animals are never claimed, however, and must be adopted into new homes because they have no ID and their guardians can't be found. Make sure your pets have ID tags on their collar and a microchip or tattoo, and keep the information updated.
   
   
2. Get yourself and your dog off the couch and into the outdoors. Most dogs need walking at least twice daily to stay healthy and you will benefit too. If you don't have a dog, volunteer to walk dogs at your local shelter.
   
   
3. Spread the word about the crucial importance of spaying or neutering pets.
   
   
4. If you are considering getting a new pet make the SPCA or other animal shelter your first adoption option. Avoid buying pets from online sites — you may be supporting puppy mills through buying this way.
   
   
5. Make humane food choices. Commit to purchasing foods raised according to high standards of animal welfare. Look for SPCA Certified products  in the meat and dairy sections of your grocery store. You can find out where to buy SPCA Certified products on our website .
   
   
6. Switch the toxic ethylene glycol antifreeze in your vehicle to pet-friendly propylene-based antifreeze.
   
   
7. Wildlife is often injured as the result of human activity. Properly dispose of items that can potentially harm wild animals, such as household cleaners, plastic bags and cigarette butts. Better yet, switch to environmentally friendly cleaners and use fabric bags instead of plastic.
   
   
8. Help a homeless or wild animal get the care they need. The BC SPCA’s priority funds let you choose which program or service to support. Select from theHeroes Fund to support the work of the cruelty investigations team; the Monty Fund to support education and advocacy programs; the Biscuit Fund to help pay for veterinary medical care; the October Grey Fund to provide daily care in shelters; and theHighest Priority Needs Fund to help injured, homeless and abused animals throughout the province.
   
   
9. Volunteer at your local branch of the BC SPCA or humane society. The help volunteers provide makes a huge difference every day in the lives of shelter animals. You can help care for animals at a shelter or foster them in your own home. We couldn't care for the more than 34,000 animals we help each year without volunteers. Get involved.
   
   
10. Visit your local BC SPCA branch or other animal shelter regularly to donate at least one item on their wish list (leashes, animal toys, and so on).
    
    
11. Advocate for animal welfare issues such as puppy mills, feral cats, and many others by contacting your city council or community leaders to help effect change through regulatory bylaws. Visit our advocacy page for more information.
    
    
12. Make sure your pet is cared for in the event of your death. The BC SPCA's Pet Survivor Care Program offers a number of options to secure your faithful friend's future, from a free basic registration of your pet to ensure it is adopted into a new, loving home, to variably priced premium and custom plans that take into account every aspect of your pet's needs.

from BC SPCA  http://www.spca.bc.ca/news-and-events/news/twelve-2012-new-years.html