BC SPCA seeks homes for horses, llamas and other farm animals at March 3 livestock adopt-a-thon
What: BC SPCA adopt-a-thon for farm animals

Where: BC SPCA Surrey Branch (barn area), 6706 152nd Street, Surrey

When: Saturday, March 3rd, 12 noon to 4 p.m.

February 22, 2007. For immediate release. While most people think of dogs and cats when they think of the BC SPCA, the non-profit animal welfare society rescues nearly 50,000 animals each year, ranging from horses to hamsters and pot-bellied pigs to primates . "Obviously some of the animals we rescue are harder to place than the puppies and kittens in our shelters because they require guardians with more specialized experience," says Eileen Drever, Senior Animal Protection Officer for the BC SPCA.

On Saturday, March 3rd, the BC SPCA is holding a special adopt-a-thon at its Surrey Branch to find new, loving homes for several horses, llamas and other livestock who have been rescued by the society in recent months.

"We've conducted several animal cruelty investigations involving livestock and these animals are now healthy and ready to be re-homed," says Drever. Available for adoption on March 3rd will be six horses, three male llamas, ranging in age from one year to adult, a rooster, several chickens, and a seven-month-old Holstein steer named Gordy, who fell off a truck in Mission. "Gordy is a big favourite with shelter staff," notes Drever. "He thinks he's a dog and comes when he's called."

Among the horses available for adoption are:

One Shire cross, mare (black and white);
One Shire cross colt, eight months old, (has an umbilical hernia), untrained;
One standard bred Mare, five years old;
One standard Mare, 17 years old (was used as a brood mare and is looking for a place to 'retire');
One Paint Mare (black and white), untrained;
One registered Paint (black and white), no papers, untrained;
"These animals have been through some rough times and we are looking for 'forever homes' where they will get the care and attention they deserve," says Drever. "There are no set adoption fees, but we would expect reasonable donations to help us offset the costs we have incurred taking care of them.

The adopt-a-thon will also feature a public education display on the work of the BC SPCA Cruelty Investigations Department.

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For more information:
Eileen Drever, Senior Animal Protection Officer, BC SPCA, 604.709.4670;
Janice Levers, Manager, BC SPCA Surrey Branch, 604.597.5637;
Marcie Moriarty, General Manager, Cruelty Investigations, BC SPCA, 604.647.1318.