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VANCOUVER, Dec. 17/04 -- The saying "It is better to give than it is to receive" holds true for animals too says Al Hickey, Western Regional Director for The Humane Society of Canada (HSC). "With Christmas and the holidays just around the corner people should think about how they can involve their pets, and help other animals, during this special time of the year, he says.
"An easy way to involve animal companions in the holiday festivities is to buy them gifts," suggests Hickey. "Our HSC Online Adventure Store means that we ship the orders the same day, and you can avoid store music, crowds, fighting for a parking space, and harried sales staff."
The charity says that if you feed your pet food and treats over the holidays, please remember to do so in moderation. If you're not sure, then check with your veterinarian especially if the animal is on a restricted diet."
According to HSC Executive Director, Michael O'Sullivan, there is no shortage of practical gifts that pets will enjoy or benefit from. "Practical gifts are often overlooked when we purchase presents for our pets," states Hickey. "However, quality collars and identification tags like those we use in our Pet Recovery Team are useful and may even save your 'best friend's' life some day.
"An ideal gift is The Humane Society of Canada's first aid kit. This well-stocked kit includes a 28-page first aid manual and all proceeds from the sale of this kit goes to helping less fortunate animals," continues O'Sullivan. More information can be found here.
The Humane Society of Canada would also like people to consider assisting other animals that are less fortunate than your own pet.
"By making a donation to a charity that helps animals you will be assisting less fortunate animals. If a financial donation isn't possible at this time, you could donate some supplies like towels, blankets, toys and pet food to an animal shelter or pound. Donating your time to walk, groom and socialize pets waiting for adoption would also be a nice way to help animals," says O'Sullivan.
O'Sullivan would like to remind people that our wild neighbours would also benefit from acts of kindness and that the holiday season is as good a time as any to initiate lending a helping hand to wild animals.
"Wildlife sometimes can use a little help, especially during a harsh winter," says O'Sullivan. "Setting up and maintaining a bird feeder is a kind act that will help our feathered friends who stay behind with us enjoying a Canadian winter. Just make sure that the feeder is located in a safe place, preferably where there is some shelter, but where cats and other animals cannot easily prey on the birds while they are feeding."
The HSC Online Adventure Store has a bird feeder with seed cakes and all of the money generated by these items goes to helping other animals and protecting the environment.
"Another simple way to help wildlife is to put your discarded Christmas tree in the garden or other appropriate place where it will provide shelter for animals. People who live in rural areas can help animals like deer and porcupines by placing a salt block, well away from their house, out for them," suggests O'Sullivan. "Remembering animals is a wonderful way that all of us can work together to help make the world a better place for all of us," says O'Sullivan.
CONTACT: Al Hickey or Michael O'Sullivan by toll free 1-800-641-KIND or Michael on his cell phone (416) 876-9685 or at www.humanesociety.com
[For more than 17 years, Al Hickey was the Chief Executive of the BC SPCA and before that headed up the Alberta and BC Chambers of Commerce, and the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Vancouver. He has 6 grandchildren.
A father with two small children, and a houseful of dogs and cats, O'Sullivan has worked in Canada and in over 90 countries during the last 35 years helping people, animals and nature.]
The Humane Society works to protect dogs, cats, horses, birds, livestock, lab animals, wildlife and the environment. They carry out hands on programs to help animals and nature, mount rescue operations, expose cruelty through hard hitting undercover investigations, work to pass laws to protect animals, fund scientific research, support animal shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centres and spread the word about how to help animals and nature through humane education.
The Humane Society of Canada depends entirely on donations to support our programs to help animals and the environment. All donations are gratefully acknowledged with a receipt for income tax purposes. If you would like to support our campaigns to protect animals and the environment please make a donation here.
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