Animal Shelters

SAINTS farm in Mission is a sanctuary for animals deemed unadoptable due to age, size, disabilities, and medical issues. /Dillon White photo

Unadoptable animals find home in B.C. with SAINTS

The nonprofit provides shelter and medical aid to 127 animals of different backgrounds in Mission

 

Comox Valley Kin club member Terry Chaney, right, presents Kiersten Shyian, assistant manager of the Rehabilitation Program & Wildlife Care at the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS), with a cheque for $1,125. Kiersten administers the Ambassador Bird Program. Photo supplied

Comox Valley Kin Club donates $1,125 to four organizations

Beneficiaries are MARS, Wheels for Wellness, Care-a-Van, Therapeutic Riding

 

A black-headed grosbeak patient at the Mountainaire Avian rescue Society hospital. Photo supplied

MARS Moment: Change of seasons means an increase in migrating birds

As another hot summer makes way for autumn, the ever-reliable deciduous leaves…

  • Oct 2, 2022

 

Generosity rained down on the Coastal Animal Rescue and Education Network as an emergency water supply came together after fears the water supply to CARE’s animal shelter was about to be cut off. (CARE photo)

Support pours in as Tofino-Ucluelet animal shelter faces water crisis

“It was an unbelievable answer to the call to action”

Generosity rained down on the Coastal Animal Rescue and Education Network as an emergency water supply came together after fears the water supply to CARE’s animal shelter was about to be cut off. (CARE photo)
A Stellar’s jay chick was brought into the MARS hospital after an attack from a cat. Photo supplied.

MARS Moment: Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society’s Merville Visitor Centre set to reopen

By Jane Sproull Thomson Special to Black Press We have good news…

  • Jun 11, 2022
A Stellar’s jay chick was brought into the MARS hospital after an attack from a cat. Photo supplied.
Jan Smith (right) leads by doing with energy and enthusiasm, supporting other volunteers in our education work, restoration of native plants on the property and managing our growing organization. Here she is leading a group tour at the facility. The facility is closed to the public until further notice, due to the discovery of avian flu in the Comox Valley.

Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society Visitor Centre closes to protect against avian flu

Jane Sproull Thomson Special to Black Press In light of the recent…

  • May 17, 2022
Jan Smith (right) leads by doing with energy and enthusiasm, supporting other volunteers in our education work, restoration of native plants on the property and managing our growing organization. Here she is leading a group tour at the facility. The facility is closed to the public until further notice, due to the discovery of avian flu in the Comox Valley.
Kiersten Shyan prepares an eagle for x-ray. Gyl Anderson photo

MARS Moment: New examination room with X-ray machine will speed up diagnosis process

By Jane Sproull Thomson Special to Black Press Have you ever broken…

Kiersten Shyan prepares an eagle for x-ray. Gyl Anderson photo
A recently rescued northern saw whet owl gets ready for its physical exam. Photo by Gyl Anderson

Merville’s MARS Hospital dealing with influx of owls

By Jane Sproull Thomson Special to Black Press Some rescuers ensured a…

A recently rescued northern saw whet owl gets ready for its physical exam. Photo by Gyl Anderson
Some of the dogs Leanna Richardson has been fostering for the Victoria Humane Society. The society and its volunteers have been hit with a surge of surrendered pets, many of which require socialization, forcing them to start turning animals away. (Photo courtesy of Leanna Richardson)

Unwanted pets flood Island animal welfare group as society returns somewhat to normal

Surrendered dogs also requiring more socialization training than usual before being adopted out

Some of the dogs Leanna Richardson has been fostering for the Victoria Humane Society. The society and its volunteers have been hit with a surge of surrendered pets, many of which require socialization, forcing them to start turning animals away. (Photo courtesy of Leanna Richardson)
This barred owl was a patient at the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society. Photo by Gyl Anderson.

Owls come and go – and some stay – at Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society

Jane Sproull Thomson Special to The Record ‘Whoo’ doesn’t love owls? These…

This barred owl was a patient at the Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society. Photo by Gyl Anderson.
At the CRD Animal Shelter, hundreds of animals are taken into care, and only 60 per cent of lost animals were claimed by their owners in 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)

Oak Bay man’s estate goes to the dogs

Capital Regional District Animal Shelter will receive $518,000 to care for homeless animals

At the CRD Animal Shelter, hundreds of animals are taken into care, and only 60 per cent of lost animals were claimed by their owners in 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)
Two officers with a dog who was found after the Lytton fire. (Contributed/BC SPCA)

Help pets evacuated from B.C. wildfires by adopting animals from the BC SPCA

The BC SPCA is looking to make room in its shelters to accommodate evacuated pets

Two officers with a dog who was found after the Lytton fire. (Contributed/BC SPCA)
A fawn explores its expanded world. (Kiersten Shyan photo)

Recent heatwave results in ‘patient’ spike at Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society

Comox Valley non-profit overwhelmed with baby birds and other animals

A fawn explores its expanded world. (Kiersten Shyan photo)
Wild rabbits are all over Chilliwack, but people often think they’re someone’s lost pet and try to ‘save’ them. But the owner of Chilliwack’s Reptile Room says good intentions can have bad consequences for wild animals. (Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Owner of Chilliwack’s Reptile Room asks people to leave wild animals in the wild

Amber Quiring says people who think they’re helping are actually doing more harm than good

Wild rabbits are all over Chilliwack, but people often think they’re someone’s lost pet and try to ‘save’ them. But the owner of Chilliwack’s Reptile Room says good intentions can have bad consequences for wild animals. (Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)
The Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society’s newest Ambassador birds, Nimpkish and Kokish, are sibling albino crows rescued from ‘Namgis First Nations territory near Port McNeil. Bruce Moffat photo

Albino crow siblings become ambassador birds for Island wildlife rescue centre

Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society introduces its latest ambassador birds

The Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society’s newest Ambassador birds, Nimpkish and Kokish, are sibling albino crows rescued from ‘Namgis First Nations territory near Port McNeil. Bruce Moffat photo
The Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society’s newest Ambassador birds, Nimpkish and Kokish, are sibling albino crows rescued from ‘Namgis First Nations territory near Port McNeil. Bruce Moffat photo

Merville wildlife rescue centre adds pair of albino crow siblings as ambassador birds

Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society introduces its latest ambassador birds

The Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society’s newest Ambassador birds, Nimpkish and Kokish, are sibling albino crows rescued from ‘Namgis First Nations territory near Port McNeil. Bruce Moffat photo
Brant geese in flight along the coastline. Photo submitted.

MARS moment: Keep dogs off the beaches in the springtime

Submitted by Jane Sproull Thomson Special to Black Press Spring – the…

  • Feb 8, 2021
Brant geese in flight along the coastline. Photo submitted.
Kimberly Feeny, left, rescues, fosters and homes cats with the Kootenay Animal Assistance Program. She and friend Lisa Valenta, right, spent Friday, Nov. 27 nursing seven rescued kitties at Feeny’s home in Grand Forks. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Kootenay women working to rescue 20 cats in feral colony

Kimberly Feeny and Lisa Valenta are nursing seven cats rescued east of Grand Forks, B.C.

Kimberly Feeny, left, rescues, fosters and homes cats with the Kootenay Animal Assistance Program. She and friend Lisa Valenta, right, spent Friday, Nov. 27 nursing seven rescued kitties at Feeny’s home in Grand Forks. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Gracie couldn’t stop nursing from her previous owner’s goats which was problematic given the goats were trying to be dried out to breed. Gracie now lives at A Home for Hooves. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Cowichan animal sanctuary gets international accreditation

A Home for Hooves farm sanctuary accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

Gracie couldn’t stop nursing from her previous owner’s goats which was problematic given the goats were trying to be dried out to breed. Gracie now lives at A Home for Hooves. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
MARS volunteer John shows ambassador owl Otis to visitors. Photo supplied

Merville avian rescue shelter seeing spike in victims of rat poisoning ingestion

Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society cautions against use of rodent poisons

MARS volunteer John shows ambassador owl Otis to visitors. Photo supplied
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