Celebrate Community and Compassion at the Nanaimo SPCA Community Day
The Nanaimo SPCA is rolling out the welcome mat for families and their furry companions at its annual Community Day, a heartwarming event designed to foster connections between the community and the vital work of the SPCA. Scheduled for Sunday, September 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., this event promises a day filled with fun, education, and the opportunity to meet some adorable adoptable pets.
A Day of Family Fun
Katie Heagle, the animal care supervisor at Nanaimo SPCA, emphasizes the importance of this event in bringing families together. “We love having Community Day because it brings a lot of families into the centre,” she explains. “They’re able to have a tour of our facility, see how things operate, and meet a lot of the different staff.”
Families can look forward to a variety of engaging activities, including shelter tours, face painting, and kids’ crafts. Food options will cater to all tastes, featuring pizza, veggie burgers, and the ever-popular cotton candy. This is not just an event; it’s a celebration of community spirit and compassion for animals.
Learning About Animal Welfare
One of the highlights of the day will be the presence of the SPCA’s animal protection services officer, who will be on hand to discuss the importance of animal welfare. Attendees will have the chance to learn about the officer’s role and the critical work done to protect animals in the community. This educational component is vital, as it helps raise awareness about responsible pet ownership and the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of animals.
Pampering for Paws
For those attending with their four-legged friends, the event will feature a dog photo booth, allowing families to capture precious moments with their pets. Additionally, Taylor’s Mobile Paw Spa will be offering nail trims by donation for both cats and dogs from 1 to 3 p.m., ensuring that pets can leave looking and feeling their best.
Meet Your New Best Friend
A significant aspect of Community Day is the opportunity to meet some of the SPCA’s adoptable puppies. Attendees will have the chance to interact with adorable chihuahua-terrier mixes and pitbull mixes, and even fill out an application to adopt one of these lovable companions. “We’ll have staff hanging out with the puppies, talking about enrichment and working with your puppy,” Heagle adds, highlighting the importance of understanding pet behavior and needs.
Educational Seminars for Pet Owners
Throughout the day, Best Paw Forward Dog Training and DAWG Training Academy will host free one-hour seminars, each limited to 25 participants. These sessions cover a range of topics that are beneficial for pet owners, including:
- 11:30 a.m.: Raising Birds, Bunnies, and Guinea Pigs
- 12:30 p.m.: Puppy Socialization
- 1:30 p.m.: Non-Aggressive Reactivity
- 2:30 p.m.: Leash Pulling
- 3:30 p.m.: Preventing Jumping Up on People
“A lot of cool information that a lot of people I think would benefit from greatly,” Heagle notes, encouraging pet owners to take advantage of these valuable learning opportunities.
A Community Gathering
Ultimately, the Nanaimo SPCA Community Day is about more than just fun and education; it’s about building a stronger community. “It’s mainly just to have people here and enjoy a day with the community where they can see what we do and hopefully learn a little bit,” Heagle concludes.
So mark your calendars for September 22, and bring your family—both two-legged and four-legged—to the Nanaimo SPCA Community Day. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow animal lovers, learn more about responsible pet ownership, and perhaps even find a new furry friend to take home. Join in the celebration of compassion, community, and the joy that pets bring to our lives!