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Pooches get pals in Parksville shelter lock-in fundraiser

Volunteers do time with pets to raise money for SPCA
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Kelly Robinson with Shaw TV was one of four volunteers at the Parksville BC SPCA shelter on Friday, Aug. 18 to take part in the Lock-In for Love fundraising event. Volunteers were locked-in with a four-legged companion and had to raise money to earn their release. — Adam Kveton

Pet lovers got a view from behind chainlink Friday, Aug. 18, to support the B.C. SPCA.

Lock-In for Love events took place in Parksville, Vancouver, Nanaimo and Campbell River.

Four participants were locked in with shelter animals at the Parksville branch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. To get out, they had to raise thousands of dollars for the shelter.

“We’re hosting our fist Lock-In for Love fundraiser,” Parksville branch manager Nadine Durante said during the event.

“It’s to raise money for the animals of our community that come to the shelter in need of medical care and their general care,” she said.

Some participants, like Kelly Robinson, had a fundraising goal of $1,000, which participants try and raise by calling out to family, friends and others to get pledges.

But even if Robinson reaches her goal, she said she knows a lot more is needed.

“This little dog that I’m partnered with today, Maggie, she actually is a good example of where the money goes,” she said while locked in Maggie’s kennel. “She just had over 20 teeth taken out and so that cost $1,400. My fundraising goal is $1,000. Even just that goes to show how much they need.”

This year, the funds are particularly needed, as the shelter won’t be going ahead with its usual Paws for a Cause walk, or its flea markets, as the regular volunteers have retired, said Durante.

“So we are trying this out, and it’s just been a lot of fun so far,” she said.

Sabrina Qureshi, a 10-year volunteer at the branch and a B.C. SPCA director, was locked up in the cat play area with Storm — an active young kitten whose owner will hopefully be coming by to pick her up soon.

According to the Parksville shelter’s online pledge counter, Qureshi had raised $1,225 partway through the day Friday.

Pam McCready, another SPCA volunteer, was in a kennel with Ava — a dog who was donating her time as well, as she’s owned by one of the Parksville shelter’s employees.

“We are getting along just fine,” McCready said of her kennel companion. “But I realize what it’s like sitting here, being a dog, and listening to all these different noises, you know. You’re on high-alert all the time. ‘Who’s coming now?’”

“I’m pretty happy to be involved,” said Robinson. “I’m participating because I have been able to witness all the great things that the SPCA does for the homeless animals in our community over the last 14 years working with Shaw TV. So I’m just really glad to be able to help the cause.”

She added, “and hopefully we can find Maggie a home, too.”

The event raised $5,007.

For news tips:

adam.kveton@pqbnews.com