On Sunday, June 26th, Team VHS ran for the animals in the Scotiabank Half-Marathon & 5k. This year marks VHS’s sixth year participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Thanks to our amazing team of runners and all of the generous donors who sponsored our team, an incredible total of $39,100 was raised to support VHS’s work to help animals.
The Scotiabank Charity Challenge is the most important fundraiser of the year and it enables us to continue our work to protect animals from exploitation and abuse, whether it’s due to factory farming, captivity or entertainment. The funds also allow us to assist low-income guardians in getting their pet spayed/neutered or in emergency situations. Learn more about our campaign work and how you can get involved!
We couldn’t do this important work without you! From the entire VHS Team, thank you to everyone who participated and sponsored our team in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. A big thank you to West Coast Monograms for the great team t-shirts!
This captivating dog was found wandering the streets of a small northern community, Iskut, B.C., all on his lonesome at the age of one month. It was pretty much love at first sight when the two of us locked eyes; him, in search of a mother and I in search of a companion with the most unconditional of love. He literally walked into my life and I’m sure you can understand by looking at his picture, why I couldn’t say no to this face that was longing to be rescued.
I was so grateful to have received support from the Vancouver Humane Society, through their McVitie fund for animals, upon returning home with him from volunteering. They helped me with his vaccinations, tattoo and a neuter – everything he needed to start this new chapter of his life off right.
. I spent last summer biking 2000 km to this area, Tl’abane, more commonly referred to now as the Sacred Headwaters – the birthplace of the Skeena, Stikine and Nass rivers, some of the most vital salmon bearing rivers in all of so-called North America. It is home to the unceded, unsurrendered Tahltan First Nation who have lived in harmony with the land and water for thousands of years.
Iskut and I began our adventure together exploring the mountains, lakes and rivers in Tl’abane. To this day gallivanting in the great outdoors is our favourite activity. I watch as he leaps and bounds through the forest, down snowy mountainsides, through the shallows of creeks and rivers; I think he has mistaken himself for a deer or rabbit. Nevertheless, his playfulness, quirkiness and endurance are prominent signs of a healthy and happy pup, which was made all the more possible by the McVitie fund. He has touched a lot of lives and every time someone asks about him I get to tell a story that should be shared far and wide. Thank you again to the Vancouver Humane Society for helping me help this special pup!
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VHS’s McVitie fund for animals provides low-income guardians of companion animals with spay/neuter assistance, as well as help with unexpected, emergency vet bills. Please consider supporting the McVitie fund. Increase your impact by donating today – all donations will be matched by a generous VHS donor!
There are two things in this world that I dislike more than any other. Getting up early in the morning, and running.
Somehow I’ve remained suspended in that teenage phase that most people grow out of – being ready and willing to sleep until noon. And as far as exercise, well, I’ve never much liked it. I’m the more introspective, quiet type and have always preferred sitting down with a good book to running a few miles and getting all sweaty and breathless. Not to mention, ruining my hair.
So why, you may ask, am I getting up at 6:00 AM on Sunday, June 28th, 2015 to travel all the way from my home in Surrey to Stanley Park and run (mostly walk!) in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge?
Because I love animals and I can’t bear to see them suffer. I’ll be participating in the event to raise money for and awareness about the most effective animal protection organization I know – the Vancouver Humane Society. (Okay, I’m biased.)
Although awareness of animal issues has never been higher, especially in developed countries, it’s also the case that more animals are subjected to more abuse at the hands of humans today than ever before. Why? Since 1960 most animals reared for food in North America have been raised on cruel factory farms. As the number of animals raised increased, the price for meat, dairy and eggs declined and these products became available to more people than ever before. Consumption of animal products became a symbol of status and wealth and was no longer an occasional luxury. At the same time, animal products were touted as being ideal protein.
Even worse, we have exported factory farming to other, less developed countries, replacing more traditional ways of raising and consuming animals. Demand for animal products goes up as the standard of living rises. It’s estimated that globally 40 percent of meat was produced on factory farms in 2005.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t condone any raising and slaughtering animals for food. As far as I’m concerned, ‘humane meat’ is an oxymoron – it just isn’t in an animal’s best interest to have its throat slit so humans can unnecessarily consume its flesh. But I also realize that I can’t talk everyone into becoming vegetarian or vegan tomorrow.
However, there are lots of things everyone can do to mitigate the suffering of animals raised for food. One quick and easy way is to join the global initiative called ‘Meatless Monday’ (MLM). VHS has started a project to help post-secondary and secondary schools feature MLM in their cafeterias. So far, we have three post-secondary and two high schools committed for fall, 2015. And you can join by signing VHS’s Meatless Monday pledge. Once you’re signed up, you’ll receive a delicious meatless recipe every week!
There’s another way you can help animals:Sponsor meor another member of the VHS Team. Scotiabank covers all the administration costs, so your entire donation goes towards fighting animal abuse. We are their voice! Please help us help animals today!
I spent last summer biking 2000 km to this area, Tl’abane, more commonly referred to now as the Sacred Headwaters – the birthplace of the Skeena, Stikine and Nass rivers, some of the most vital salmon bearing rivers in all of so-called North America. It is home to the unceded, unsurrendered Tahltan First Nation who have lived in harmony with the land and water for thousands of years.
