Dec 22 - No pet peeve: be careful gifting pets at Christmas

Good morning !

Yeah, that was me with the Sprout Lake fiasco yesterday. It’s Sproat Lake.

Sproat Lake. Brussels sprouts. Sproat Lake. Brussels sprouts.

OK. I’m good. Thank you to Andrew, Cheryl, Ken, Hamar, and the others for pointing it out.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

 The kittens are alright: but be cautious about making them a surprise Christmas present

Workers at the BC SPCA offices on Napier near Burnside East found a gift on the front doorstep three weeks ago—five OMG-they’re-so-cute, meowing kittens placed inside a cardboard box.

“We don't know what the circumstances were,” Emma Hammill, Victoria Animal Centre manager for the BC SPCA, tells Capital Daily, about the Dec. 1 surprise. “But they did the right thing bringing them here, and making sure that they would be safe and cared for.”

The kittens are doing well and are now living in two foster homes, including one with SPCA staffer and angel to the animals Louise Kadar, who over the years has opened her home to 180 pets, mostly cats. 

As Hammill said, nobody knows what led to the kittens being dropped off but it raises an unrelated yet seasonal concern: to be cautious when considering gifting a pet for Christmas.

“I would say that adding an animal to your home is a 15-, sometimes 20-year commitment,” Hammill says. 

You can’t deny the uber-cuteness of a kitten or puppy popping out of a box Christmas morning (accompanied by your child’s eyes popping out of their heads with surprise and delight) but Hammill says these cuddly, licky, squirmy, little guys come with a potential price.

“Is the family financially ready for any vet bills that might come up? Can they financially support getting the animal food, toys other things that make sure that they are teaching our five freedoms that we strive for each animal to have?” say Hammill. Those freedoms are:

• Freedom from hunger and thirst

• Freedom from pain, injury, and disease

• Freedom from distress

• Freedom from discomfort

• Freedom to express behaviours that promote well-being

Hammill says the SPCA often sees a spike in the number of surrendered animals a few months after Christmas, so it’s important the recipient is aware of the demands on their time, patience, and finances, before giving them a pet as a Christmas gift.

By Mark Brennae

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Missing man: William “Liam” McMurry, 24, has no fixed address in Nanaimo and missed a recent health appointment, causing concern for his safety.

NEWS

IDs are easier to falsify than you may think

BC’s College of Nurses and Midwives (BCNM) recently issued an advisory stating Charrybelle Talaue, AKA Charrybelle Perez Talaue, AKA Charrybelle Talaue Baldesancho, had falsely declared she was a BC registered nurse applying for a job at a Vancouver Island hospital.  

Her case is a reminder of how fake IDs can lead to other more serious harms beyond fraudulence and it also shines a spotlight on the rise of identity theft in Canada.

Talaue obtained at least one piece of fraudulent ID to obtain others. It’s called a “foundation” or “breeder” piece of ID and it’s not an uncommon method used by identity thieves. 

Avenues remain open which makes faking it easier in some provinces than others. For example, Manitoba and Alberta still issue health cards made of paper that do not contain a photograph, a bar code, a magnetic strip, or any other security feature such as the holographic images adopted by other provinces.

Learn more about the arrest of the fake nurse and how people are getting access to fake IDs by reading Sidney Coles' story here.

SPONSORED BY OXIO

Your winter starts with new internet

Whether it’s hitting the slopes in Whistler, skating in Victoria, or snowshoeing under the stars at Grouse Mountain, planning your winter activities starts where you are right now: online. 

Plan your winter in style with oxio.

An internet provider where affordability and reliability come together at last. Save $ on your monthly bill and put that towards your new plans this season. Oh, and don’t worry about your price changing once the snow melts. With no price hikes, your monthly bill just stays the same. Cuz hikes should be for somewhere nice, like Joffre Lakes, not your internet bill.

And if your plans involve more snowfall outside, stay inside, oxio is here for that too. Hot cocoa not included.   

Use code CAPITALDAILY for your first month free. 

⭐️ Capital Picks

🦭 Photo: See an incredible shot of a transient orca capturing a seal near Island waters. 

🎅🏽 We need your help! CFAX Santas Virtual Tree ends this Friday, donate a child's wish, and our Elves will make it come true. It’s a click away.*

🪱👕 Worms on a shirt: The Victoria Compost Education Centre is selling shirts covered in (illustrated) worms today to help fund its educational programs.

❓ Have questions, comments, or concerns about provincial policies, programs, and services in Oak Bay-Gordon Head? Contact BC NDP MLA Murray Rankin at [email protected] or 250-472-8528.*

🤝 Now hiring: Dental Assistant at Oaklands Dental.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Canada and BC single-use plastic bans are now in effect
Provincial and federal government restrictions came into effect on Wed., with the feds banning the production and sale of plastic cutlery, straws, and bags and BC changing rules on food takeout orders. Biodegradable options, such as wooden cutlery, will still be available. [CHEK]

Seaplane crashes en route to Port Hardy: No injuries
The historic Grumman Goose slammed into some trees moments after leaving Bella Bella on Monday. Four passengers and the pilot escaped with minor injuries and managed to walk several hundred metres to a road before being taken to hospital. The twin-engine amphibious aircraft—built between 1937 and 1945—suffered engine failure. [Times Colonist]

Nanaimo man gets 5 ½ years for stabbing senior couple
Anthony Rouskov Nielsen will spend the next 942 days in federal prison and he won’t be allowed to possess a weapon for 10 years after he is released. Nielsen was credited with three years served since his arrest following the Dec. 2021 attack that also involved him violently swinging a baseball bat, and occurred while he was in a crystal meth-induced psychosis. [Nanaimo News Now]

SPONSORED BY CHIAVARI CHAIRS

Gold Chiavari Chairs for the Island

Vancouver Island Chiavari Chairs supply gold Chiavari chair rentals for any type of event on Vancouver Island (Victoria to Nanaimo). Their services include rental, delivery, setup, and take down. The Vancouver Island Chiavari Chair team prides itself on excellent customer service and satisfaction. Ensuring all bookings are well organized and seamless from first contact all the way to setup at your venue on your event day. Visit the website to learn more.

🗓️ Things to do

📕 Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle. See traditional holiday decorations and Jason Stevens’ one-man version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Tonight and tomorrow. 6pm & 8pm. [Info]

👼 Live Outdoor Christmas Nativity pageant. Tonight and tomorrow night. 701 Mann Ave. 6pm, 6:30pm and 7pm. [Info]

🎭 Snow White: The Panto: Enjoy this classic pantomime production. Today and tomorrow. Charlie White Theatre. 2pm and 7pm. [Info]

⛰️ Sound of Music Sing-Along: Sing along with Maria and the Von Trapps at this screening of the classic film. Today and tomorrow. Vic Theatre. 6pm. [Info]

🪘 Sounds of Cuba: See eight talented, Island-based Cuban musicians perform. Tonight. Hermann’s Upstairs. 8:30pm. [Info]

🎄 Community Carols: Join your neighbours for this festive sing-along and grab a cup of hot apple cider. Tonight. Christ Church Cathedral. 5pm. [Info]

🧑‍🎄 Christmas Sing-Along: Sing some holiday classics, led by Angela Verbrugge and Tony Genge on keys. Tonight. The Oaks. 7pm. [Info]

🌺 The Butchart Gardens come to life with colourful light displays, including The Twelve Days of Christmas. Reserve your date and time to visit today!*

*Sponsored Listing

👀 In Case You Missed It

Swans new logo inspired by graffiti left on the restaurant’s front door.

10 best soups in Victoria to keep you warm this winter. [Tasting Victoria]

Whale tails: See five humpback flukes captured near the Island.

Removing invasive ivy in W̱SÁNEĆ to let Indigenous plants thrive. [Capital Daily/ IndigiNews]

That’s it!

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