in memory of jake                                                           2013
Animal Advocates got a call that was very familiar. A dog chained up, this time behind the house in a very narrow and mud-filled space. He was put there so that the upset neighbour couldn't see him, but that meant that the dog could see nothing and could barely move, especially when his chain was tangled.
The SPCA had been complained to multiple times, but even though AAS had had "Humane Treatment of Dogs" bylaws adopted in this municipality that would have allowed the BC SPCA to demand improvements in the dog's conditions, the SPCA said there was no law being broken. In fact, even at that time, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act allowed the SPCA to seize the dog for cruelty. The SPCA left him there.

(See http://www.animaladvocates.com/spca/bcspca-now.php  for AAS's opinion on improvements to the SPCA's policies and practices made by the SPCA in the last few years. SPCA improvement for tied dogs is sadly still very inadequate.)
AAS went to see and this dog and document him with photographs as we always did. Jake was removed from his hell soon after and found a real home.


In his new home he had dogs for friends and people who loved and respected him.

He was taken where he could swim and run on mountain trails. He was free and he never forgot it.
When his long and happy life came to a close, AAS got this note from his family:
"We thought that you would like to know that we let Jake go. His body had forsaken him - he could no longer get up by himself and walking was difficult.

Our vet and her assistant came to the house. Jake was resting on his bed in the family room with his head on my lap, which is where he stayed until the end. It was very peaceful. Toby and Ti and the cats were close by.

He was three when we adopted him from AAS and so he was close to 17 years old when he passed. He lived a long and, we hope, happy life.

Jake was well-loved by our family and we miss him very much.

He was my shadow for 13 and a half years. I can't believe that he's gone, but he will always be with me.

Thank you for bringing Jake into our family.

Connie Smith and family"

There has been such a flood of appeals for help this year that we may not be able to reply very quickly or at all to more appeals. AAS is now so well-known for its experience in all animal welfare and rescue matters that we are asked for advice and help from all over BC, Canada, the U.S. and the world.  For years I have answered each and every appeal with detailed advice that I have learned from 20 years of rescue and advocacy. Our high standards are well-known to the public, that is why we are so often asked for help and advice.

We are currently working on so many projects that I am sorry to have to tell you that we may not be able to help you with your rescue and/or your personal bills.

Judy Stone

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