Animals

Nanaimo RCMP police service dog Luthor is credited with tracking down a hiker who had become lost and wet in near-freezing temperatures in the woods near Nanaimo last week. (Photo submitted)

Nanaimo RCMP police service dog tracks down lost hiker

Luthor sniffs out trail to 75-year-old man lost in near-freezing temperatures in Brannen Lake area

Nanaimo RCMP police service dog Luthor is credited with tracking down a hiker who had become lost and wet in near-freezing temperatures in the woods near Nanaimo last week. (Photo submitted)
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Princeton area pig composter gets warning letter from ministry

Report alleges 12 areas of non-compliance

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A deer that fell through ice in Westwood Lake got a ride to safety aboard Nanaimo Fire Rescue’s rescue boat on Tuesday, Jan. 25. (Photo courtesy Nanaimo Fire Rescue)

Deer rescued after falling through ice on Nanaimo’s Westwood Lake

Nanaimo Fire Rescue and B.C. Conservation Officer Service respond to incident Tuesday, Jan. 25

A deer that fell through ice in Westwood Lake got a ride to safety aboard Nanaimo Fire Rescue’s rescue boat on Tuesday, Jan. 25. (Photo courtesy Nanaimo Fire Rescue)
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Compost boss gets hate mail over piles of dead pigs near Princeton

‘I’m not responsible for the pigs’ deaths. I’m responsible for the clean up’

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Volunteer firefighters with North Cedar Volunteer Fire Department braved near-freezing waters to save a dog that was seen struggling for its life after falling through ice on Holden Lake in Hemer Park south of Nanaimo. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Dog rescued after falling through ice on lake in Cedar

Volunteer firefighters mount water rescue after dog seen struggling for its life in Hemer Park

Volunteer firefighters with North Cedar Volunteer Fire Department braved near-freezing waters to save a dog that was seen struggling for its life after falling through ice on Holden Lake in Hemer Park south of Nanaimo. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Founder and operations manager of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, Robin Campbell, holds Blizzard, a rare white raven, shortly after the bird was brought into the centre in late May 2021. (Michael Briones photo)

Rare white raven on the mend at North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington

Bird enjoys prime cuts of red meat and solving toy puzzles meant for toddlers

Founder and operations manager of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, Robin Campbell, holds Blizzard, a rare white raven, shortly after the bird was brought into the centre in late May 2021. (Michael Briones photo)
Finley was found in a forest in Willoughby on Dec. 17, after 490 days. The owner thanked social media for the miracle. (Special to Langley Advance Times)

The cat who came back: B.C. pet named Finley found after 490 days

Finley, a feral cat went missing on Aug. 10

Finley was found in a forest in Willoughby on Dec. 17, after 490 days. The owner thanked social media for the miracle. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
An abandoned mother dog was found abandoned and emaciated, trying to care for its five puppies. The dogs were taken to Nanaimo and District B.C. SPCA and are now in foster care. (Photos submitted)

Dog with five puppies found abandoned, starving in Nanaimo now in SPCA care

Dogs were brought to B.C. SPCA and are in foster care and will be up for adoption in the new year

An abandoned mother dog was found abandoned and emaciated, trying to care for its five puppies. The dogs were taken to Nanaimo and District B.C. SPCA and are now in foster care. (Photos submitted)
RCMP police dog handlers Cpl. Dean Muir, left, and Const. Matthew Tomasson show off a blanket crocheted for police service dog Herc. (Photo submitted)

Vancouver Island woman crochets police dogs blankets for Christmas

Woman who loves to crochet creates blankets for all four of Nanaimo RCMP’s police service dogs

RCMP police dog handlers Cpl. Dean Muir, left, and Const. Matthew Tomasson show off a blanket crocheted for police service dog Herc. (Photo submitted)
A Home for Hooves’ Michelle Singleton with pot belly pig Chuck. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Transfer of animals from Chemainus sanctuary to Duncan completed in October

A Home for Hooves and foster care accommodate the inhabitants

A Home for Hooves’ Michelle Singleton with pot belly pig Chuck. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Rescue crews on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Merritt, B.C.(North Shore Rescue photo)

600 pigs and more than 100 dogs rescued from Interior B.C. flood zones

Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team responded to both Princeton and Merritt

Rescue crews on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, in Merritt, B.C.(North Shore Rescue photo)
Some of the dogs Leanna Richardson has been fostering for the Victoria Humane Society. The society and its volunteers have been hit with a surge of surrendered pets, many of which require socialization, forcing them to start turning animals away. (Photo courtesy of Leanna Richardson)

Unwanted pets flood Victoria animal welfare group as society returns somewhat to normal

Surrendered dogs also requiring more socialization training than usual before being adopted out

Some of the dogs Leanna Richardson has been fostering for the Victoria Humane Society. The society and its volunteers have been hit with a surge of surrendered pets, many of which require socialization, forcing them to start turning animals away. (Photo courtesy of Leanna Richardson)
Jane Bradley told The Gazette that she’s sure to keep the kittens’ feet warm whenever she cuddles them. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

VIDEO: Abandoned kittens recovering thanks to love from B.C. seniors

Kitty hour has become a Saturday mainstay at Grand Forks’ Phoenix Manor

Jane Bradley told The Gazette that she’s sure to keep the kittens’ feet warm whenever she cuddles them. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Winston, the Fairmont Empress Hotel, canine concierge enjoys a few moments alone in a room with a personalized bathrobe, a miniature toy Winston and some rom service drinks Don Denton photo

Has your life gone to the dogs?

Pet-friendly means you can bring Fido

  • Sep 29, 2021
Winston, the Fairmont Empress Hotel, canine concierge enjoys a few moments alone in a room with a personalized bathrobe, a miniature toy Winston and some rom service drinks Don Denton photo
The Town of Qualicum Beach council wants to review its decision not to allow backyard chickens in residential areas. (File photo)

Fowl play: Qualicum Beach invites residents to offer thoughts on backyard chickens

Officials plan for survey to be completed by Oct. 1

The Town of Qualicum Beach council wants to review its decision not to allow backyard chickens in residential areas. (File photo)
Five kittens have all found homes after being rescued from a landfill in Fort Steele on Monday, September 20, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Leslie Long)

PAWSITIVE UPDATE: 5 kittens thought to be dumped at Kootenay landfill actually born there

One worker at the landfill luckily saw something moving in the pile

Five kittens have all found homes after being rescued from a landfill in Fort Steele on Monday, September 20, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Leslie Long)
Lucie Cerny, RASTA founder, with one of her beloved pigs. (Photo submitted)

Health of Chemainus sanctuary founder forces transfer of animals, some assets to Duncan facility

Animals will eventually be moved from RASTA to A Home For Hooves

Lucie Cerny, RASTA founder, with one of her beloved pigs. (Photo submitted)
Bighorn sheep like this one shown here are dying in large numbers near Grand Forks, according to the Wild Sheep Society of B.C. Photo: Facebook / Wild Sheep Society of BC

20 bighorn sheep near Grand Forks die due to disease; group searching area for others

Twenty sheep found dead near city, says concerned non-profit

Bighorn sheep like this one shown here are dying in large numbers near Grand Forks, according to the Wild Sheep Society of B.C. Photo: Facebook / Wild Sheep Society of BC
A river otter came out of the water to explore the neighbourhood near Victoria Harbour on Aug. 9. (Courtesy of Carly Nagtegaal)

VIDEO: Why did the otter cross the road in Victoria?

Seven-year-old boy spots otter frolicking in the grass near Victoria Harbour

A river otter came out of the water to explore the neighbourhood near Victoria Harbour on Aug. 9. (Courtesy of Carly Nagtegaal)
Horse trainer Ian Tipton walks with his dogs past the burial mound where his two horses Jacinto and Cipato are buried at his facility near Sundre, Alta., Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

‘Boom, they were gone:’ Alberta trainers mourn loss of two horses struck by lightning

Multiple lightning strikes hit the house and nearby pasture

Horse trainer Ian Tipton walks with his dogs past the burial mound where his two horses Jacinto and Cipato are buried at his facility near Sundre, Alta., Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh