The estate of Francis Gordon Ainsworth has bequeathed $518,000 to the Capital Regional District (CRD) Animal Shelter, to help support homeless animals in need of love and care.
Ainsworth and his predeceased partner, Bob Carter, donated annually to the CRD Animal Shelter to honour their beloved cat Whiskey. These annual donations helped to provide new beds for dogs, perch boxes for cats, and urgent medical cases.
Inspired by the passion for animal welfare when they learned about the work of the CRD at a community outreach event, the couple who resided in Oak Bay became committed donors.
A variety of animals are taken into care at the shelter – dogs, cats, chickens, roosters, quail, and small animals such as hamsters, rats, gerbils, birds and snakes. Ten municipalities are included by the shelter – along with the Gulf Islands, electoral areas, and three First Nation reserves.
Outreach programs are being developed to reunite animals with their owners and in 2020 only 60 per cent of animals that were found were claimed by their owners. Animals not yet claimed are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before being placed for adoption.
ALSO READ: Grants sow the seeds for tree planting in Victoria
Do you have a story tip? Email: vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.
