animal welfare

(left to right) Roy Sasano, Amy Soranno and Nick Schafer speak to media outside the Abbotsford courtroom on Thursday (July 7). (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)

Jury begins deliberating tomorrow in Abbotsford protesters hog farm case

Closing arguments finished at trial for Roy Sasano, Nick Schafer and Amy Soranno

(left to right) Roy Sasano, Amy Soranno and Nick Schafer speak to media outside the Abbotsford courtroom on Thursday (July 7). (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
(left to right) Roy Sasano, Amy Soranno and Nick Schafer speak to the media prior to making their first appearance at the Abbotsford courthouse. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)

Trial for Abbotsford hog farm protesters begins

Roy Sasano, Nick Schafer and Amy Soranno facing 14 combined charges

(left to right) Roy Sasano, Amy Soranno and Nick Schafer speak to the media prior to making their first appearance at the Abbotsford courthouse. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
Honey needs new wheels after being found paralyzed on the side of a road. (GVAC/Facebook)

‘Honey needs wheels’: Island animal rescue fundraises for paralyzed, abandoned pup

The organization plans to try physiotherapy but says: ‘Honey needs wheels’

Honey needs new wheels after being found paralyzed on the side of a road. (GVAC/Facebook)
This chihuahua was among the animals rescued in Fort St. James. (BC SPCA)

BC SPCA seize 123 neglected animals in Fort St. James, 130 found dead in Vanderhoof

A staggering 120 cats and three small dogs were taken from the property

This chihuahua was among the animals rescued in Fort St. James. (BC SPCA)
FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2018 file photo, Bronx Zoo elephant “Happy” strolls inside the zoo’s Asia Habitat in New York. A legal fight to release Happy the elephant from the Bronx Zoo after 45 years will be argued Wednesday, May 18, 2022, before New York’s highest court in a closely watched case over whether a basic right for people can be extended to an animal. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

Happy the elephant isn’t a person, top New York court rules

Group was seeking to have Bronx Zoo resident released on grounds of illegal confinement

FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2018 file photo, Bronx Zoo elephant “Happy” strolls inside the zoo’s Asia Habitat in New York. A legal fight to release Happy the elephant from the Bronx Zoo after 45 years will be argued Wednesday, May 18, 2022, before New York’s highest court in a closely watched case over whether a basic right for people can be extended to an animal. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
Twenty-three cats ranging in age from newborn to five weeks old were rescued from a Sooke-based animal welfare group. (Contributed - SAFARS)

23 kittens rescued from ‘hoarding situation’ in Vancouver Island home

Cats left without water and food, says animal welfare group

Twenty-three cats ranging in age from newborn to five weeks old were rescued from a Sooke-based animal welfare group. (Contributed - SAFARS)
Kevin Costner arrives for a rally with Democratic presidential candidate former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, in Milford, N.H. An animal rights group says it has sent a letter to Costner urging him to step away as parade marshal for the Calgary Stampede this year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Matt Rourke

Animal rights group asks Calgary Stampede parade marshal Kevin Costner to step aside

‘As always, we welcome PETA for a direct discussion regarding our animal care practices’

Kevin Costner arrives for a rally with Democratic presidential candidate former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, in Milford, N.H. An animal rights group says it has sent a letter to Costner urging him to step away as parade marshal for the Calgary Stampede this year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Matt Rourke
Jessie Holmes takes a break from cooking his dogs a meal to nuzzle with two wheel dogs at the Ophir checkpoint during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. A pack of sled dogs belonging to Holmes, Iditarod veteran and reality TV star killed a family pet in Alaska, officials said. Authorities in Wasilla are investigating a March 30, 2022 incident involving dogs owned by musher Holmes, who finished third in year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and stars in “Life Below Zero: Alaska” on the National Geographic channel. (Zachariah Hughes/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool, File)

Sled dogs owned by Iditarod reality TV star kill pet dog named ‘Lucky’

‘There’s no way to not be distraught about this’

Jessie Holmes takes a break from cooking his dogs a meal to nuzzle with two wheel dogs at the Ophir checkpoint during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. A pack of sled dogs belonging to Holmes, Iditarod veteran and reality TV star killed a family pet in Alaska, officials said. Authorities in Wasilla are investigating a March 30, 2022 incident involving dogs owned by musher Holmes, who finished third in year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and stars in “Life Below Zero: Alaska” on the National Geographic channel. (Zachariah Hughes/Anchorage Daily News via AP, Pool, File)
A camel receives a COVID-19 vaccine at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg in a handout photo. The zoo uses a vaccine made uniquely for animals to protect them against COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Assiniboine Park Zoo

Winnipeg zoo giving COVID-19 vaccine to 55 animals including tigers and snow leopards

Primates, big cats, and those that have closer interaction with human caregivers more vulnerable

A camel receives a COVID-19 vaccine at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg in a handout photo. The zoo uses a vaccine made uniquely for animals to protect them against COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Assiniboine Park Zoo
Orion, an orange and white tabby with white paws, has been missing since Feb. 16. (Courtesy Florence Cougoulat)

B.C. couple calls in a dog to help track their beloved missing cat

Orion the tabby has a medical condition and needs daily medication

Orion, an orange and white tabby with white paws, has been missing since Feb. 16. (Courtesy Florence Cougoulat)
Dubbed Sea Lionel Richie by his rescuers with the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, the stellar sea lion died on Feb. 10 – five days after being rescued from the beach. (Marine Mammal Rescue Centre/Facebook)

Sad ending for Sea Lionel Richie, rescued off Vancouver Island beach

Necropsy results pending after death of 2-year-old sea lion

Dubbed Sea Lionel Richie by his rescuers with the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, the stellar sea lion died on Feb. 10 – five days after being rescued from the beach. (Marine Mammal Rescue Centre/Facebook)
Three rabbits were allegedly killed and dissected in a classroom on Jan. 28, in front of school students aged 9 to 12 years old, said People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. This photographed rabbit is not one in the incident. (Andrea Rondeau/Citizen)

Rabbits allegedly killed and dissected in front of Haida Gwaii elementary school children

Lesson was cruel and traumatizing to young students, said animal rights group

Three rabbits were allegedly killed and dissected in a classroom on Jan. 28, in front of school students aged 9 to 12 years old, said People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. This photographed rabbit is not one in the incident. (Andrea Rondeau/Citizen)
Hazel was rescued at the Anahim Lake transfer station and brought to the WL SPCA for care. (BC SPCA photo)

Injured cat abandoned at B.C. transfer station recovering at Williams Lake SPCA

BC SPCA seeking donations to cover vet bills to treat broken femur

Hazel was rescued at the Anahim Lake transfer station and brought to the WL SPCA for care. (BC SPCA photo)
Victoria Humane Society celebrated what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday with a collage as people took part in the #BettyWhiteChallenge, donating cash to an animal charity. (Victoria Humane Society/Facebook)

Love for Betty White tallies nearly $500,000 for animal welfare groups in B.C.

What would have been iconic actor’s 100th birthday sees $40,000 donated to Victoria Humane Society

Victoria Humane Society celebrated what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday with a collage as people took part in the #BettyWhiteChallenge, donating cash to an animal charity. (Victoria Humane Society/Facebook)
Betty White would have turned 100 on Jan. 17, 2021. (File photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

It’s Betty White’s birthday, will you donate to a B.C. animal cause?

#BettyWhiteChallenge encourages donations for animal welfare on her 100th birthday

Betty White would have turned 100 on Jan. 17, 2021. (File photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Betty White at age 96 ahead of the PBS documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television. White died Dec. 31, and fans hope to flood animal rescue centres with cash on what would have been her 100th birthday, Jan. 17. (File photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

#BettyWhiteChallenge floods internet as late icon’s 100th birthday approaches

Fans take to social media to pledge $5 donations to animal welfare on Jan. 17

Betty White at age 96 ahead of the PBS documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television. White died Dec. 31, and fans hope to flood animal rescue centres with cash on what would have been her 100th birthday, Jan. 17. (File photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Videos from throughout 2021 capture readers’ top animal encounters. (Black Press Media file photos)

Top animal videos from B.C.’s Vancouver Island in 2021

Look back at a year of adorable, breathtaking and unusual footage

Videos from throughout 2021 capture readers’ top animal encounters. (Black Press Media file photos)
Mink look out from a pen at a farm near Naestved, Denmark on Friday Nov. 6, 2020. Nova Scotia will help pay for a COVID-19 vaccine for mink, but the British Columbia government says more research is needed to determine if immunization is an option for thousands of animals that will be prohibited on farms by April 2023 as part of the province’s permanent ban of the industry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP

Nova Scotia pays for COVID-19 vaccines for mink, B.C. says no before closing industry

Nova Scotia’s vaccination program will be launched soon at five farms until the end of December

Mink look out from a pen at a farm near Naestved, Denmark on Friday Nov. 6, 2020. Nova Scotia will help pay for a COVID-19 vaccine for mink, but the British Columbia government says more research is needed to determine if immunization is an option for thousands of animals that will be prohibited on farms by April 2023 as part of the province’s permanent ban of the industry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP
BC SPCA calling for federal protection of animals from fireworks. (Cory Carruthers file photo)

BC SPCA urges federal protection of animals from fireworks

Fireworks can cause death, injury, and stress to animals, petition points out

BC SPCA calling for federal protection of animals from fireworks. (Cory Carruthers file photo)
Ocean Park resident Joanie Webster was stunned to be reuinted with her cat Pete who was missing for nearly three years. (Aaron Hinks photo)

Through kindness of strangers, B.C. cat, missing for 3 years, finds its way home

Owner Joanie Webster wants to speak to anyone who helped Pete on his journey

Ocean Park resident Joanie Webster was stunned to be reuinted with her cat Pete who was missing for nearly three years. (Aaron Hinks photo)