Connecting with our community through pets

As we all know, pets have a knack for connecting us with deeper aspects of ourselves, and they often end up connecting us with one another as well. Who has never smiled and stopped to chat with the owner of a lovely cat or dog, or expressed compassion to a neighbour who has lost a pet? Pets are usually friendly beings and they're blind to social status, age, gender or style. They're a great inspiration for those who care to listen. 

This principle is also true for the SPCA Laurentides-Labelle. Much more than a shelter, the SPCA LL has naturally evolved to include programs aimed at reaching out into the community. 

For instance, our organization actively participates in social reinsertion programs and the fight to keep kids in school as well as to combat delinquency. Some of these kids work with us at the shelter two to three days a week. They are given a structured environment, with precise objectives and an evaluation process. We've seen many kids' eyes sparkle and their attitude change when they learn how to take care of an animal who will love them unconditionally in return. Kids respond to love, and pets have lots of it to provide. Working or volunteering at the shelter, even if it's just for a day, teaches them about responsibility and puts the spotlight on their abilities. The rewards they get reach far deeper than a simple paycheck. In this regard, the SPCA LL was recently the object of a school volunteering project as part of a well-known television program on a French network, Donnez au suivant (Pay it forward). The show will air in March. 

Our shelter also provides healthy activities to active seniors. They help out in our board of directors or through our volunteering program. They can choose the tasks that are best suited to their tastes and abilities and get an opportunity to contribute to the welfare of pets and to the community. 

One such volunteer, Captain Pierre-Guy Charbonneau, has put in place a high quality zootherapy program that is very successful among young people, adults, seniors and particularly the sick. He now works with a team of 10 volunteers, along with two dogs, a cat and a rabbit, to spread the magic of the animals among those who need it most. This program is rewarding for the team and can have surprising effects on the clients. One lady who hadn't spoken in years said her first words after she held a cat on her lap! This program is free of charge, although the team accepts donations for the SPCA LL. It is offered to groups and, in some exceptional cases, to individuals.

All of these activities wouldn't be possible without the support of an impressive number of donors and volunteers. All of them will soon have a chance to get together at our annual fund raising cocktail-auction, Gimme Shelter. This event will be held on May 5, 2007, at the main pavilion of Ski Morin Heights. This year again, we're counting on your generosity to make this event a success. 

For more information about our pets and our programs, or if you would like a visit from our four-legged therapists, please contact us at (819) 326-4059 or visit our Web site at www.spcall.ca. Our shelter is open every day from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 355 Demontigny in Ste-Agathe.