Press release — for immediate release
The Montreal SPCA is launching the sale of an emergency kit today, with benefits going to the animal cause
Montréal, February 22, 2024 – Every day this week, the 1.4 million fans of the Radio-Canada TV series Stat have been on the edge of their seats since a character was admitted to the ER. Since his arrival at the hospital, the character had been desperately saying “Paul,” but was unable to explain anything more. Paul was his faithful dog who was home alone and, fortunately, was rescued later!
When fiction reflects reality
This situation may be made up, but it certainly underscores just how important it is to remind our friends and family that our animals depend on us, and that someone has to take care of them if we can’t. In 2023 alone, the Montreal SPCA took in 1,710 animals through emergency services. When an animal owner falls ill or has an accident, their furry friends can quickly find themselves in trouble. That’s why, as part of its first fundraising activity of 2024, the Montreal SPCA sent its generous donors a kit that will help their animals in such an emergency.
This gift includes a card for your wallet indicating a contact person who will care for your animals in an emergency, a flashing key ring referring to this wallet card, and a sticker for your front door alerting first responders to rescue your animals.
Back by popular demand: The emergency kit is for sale on www.SPCA.com
A beneficial coincidence
The situation presented in Stat, combined with the enthusiastic response from donors who received their gift sets, has prompted the Montreal SPCA to put its emergency kit up for sale on its website.
Quebecers who live with an animal—and that’s 52% of us, according to a 2021 Léger survey carried out on behalf of the Association des médecins vétérinaires du Québec (AMVQ)—can now purchase these three simple but useful items to ensure the well-being of their companions in the event of an emergency.
Gifts to donors: A controversial practice
Reporting in Quebec media has criticized non-profit organizations (NPOs) in recent years for sending promotional items to donors, since these gifts are often produced abroad and may end up in the trash. Some argue that NPOs should use these funds to further their cause. And yet, philanthropy specialists say this practice is beneficial for NPOs. This is also our experience at the Montreal SPCA, where we rely on public donations to cover 70% of our operating expenses.
Sensitive to the issues raised, the SPCA is offering its community members locally designed items that will be useful in their daily lives—like this emergency kit!
Now for sale
Starting today, you can order these handy little tools that could save your animal companions in an emergency.
All profits from sales of the kit will go toward the Montreal SPCA’s activities to help other animals in need.
Don’t let your furry friend go through the same torment as poor Paul in Stat. Get your SPCA emergency kit now!
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Source : Montreal SPCA
Montreal SPCA public relations officer :Marie-Hélène Avon, mariehelene@tokcommunications.ca, 514 247-0526,
About the Montreal SPCA
Founded in Montréal in 1869, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (now better known as the Montreal SPCA) was the first animal-welfare organization in Canada. The SPCA has come a long way since its beginnings and is today the largest animal-protection organization in Québec, speaking on behalf of animals wherever there is ignorance, cruelty, exploitation or neglect.
