Every day, animals across the Okanagan Valley need a second chance.
Lost, stray, abandoned and feral animals are counting on local organizations to step in and thanks to an ongoing partnership between Scotiabank and the Okanagan Humane Society (OHS), the community has an opportunity to help make that possible.
For the third consecutive year, Scotiabank and OHS are joining forces to raise critical funds to support animals in need throughout the Okanagan.
“We are so excited to partner with OHS for the third year and help raise important funding that allows them to say ‘yes’ to animals in need every day,” says Larry Clements, Scotiabank's district vice president.
“The work they do in our communities is incredible, and we are proud to support their team and the animals who depend on them.”
Last year, Scotiabank employees rallied behind the campaign through an employee incentive to volunteer for the day, resulting in Scotiabank matching donations up to $15,000. Together, the campaign raised more than $40,000 for animals across the Okanagan.
This year, the partnership is expanding, with six Scotiabank locations participating in Penticton, West Kelowna, Kelowna and Vernon.
“We are thrilled to see so many Scotiabank employees getting involved and supporting animals in their own communities,” adds Clements. “We are hoping to surpass last year’s fundraising total and make an even greater impact.”
The need for animal rescue and support continues to grow across the region. In 2022, OHS helped more than 1,500 animals.
By 2025, that number had increased dramatically to more than 5,200 animals, a reflection of the growing demand for emergency rescue, veterinary care, spay and neuter services, foster care and other critical support.
“We are busy. Really busy,” says Romany Runnalls, Operations Director, OHS. “With a team made up largely of volunteers, we work 24/7, 365 days a year because we know rescues and emergencies cannot be scheduled. We need to be there for animals when others are not.”
One recent emergency involved Chili, a sweet four-month-old puppy who arrived in urgent need of lifesaving medical care after a stick lodged in her eye, causing a devastating rupture to her young eyeball.
Chili was surrendered to OHS after her owner, facing significant financial challenges, was heartbroken and distraught over being unable to afford the immediate surgery she desperately needed.
Determined to find help for Chili, a social worker spent hours reaching out to multiple agencies and organizations, tirelessly searching for someone who could step in. OHS was there.
Social workers, health-care teams and community agencies are increasingly turning to OHS when an animal is caught in a crisis alongside their person and there is simply nowhere else to go.
For Chili, OHS was able to say yes, providing the urgent veterinary care she needed and giving this little puppy the chance to heal and look forward to a healthy future. Today, Chili is recovering in a loving foster home and getting stronger every day!
Stories like these are happening throughout the Okanagan, often with little warning. For OHS, being able to respond immediately can mean the difference between life and death.
Every donation helps provide the resources needed to answer that call from emergency veterinary care and food to transportation, foster support and ongoing care while animals await safe and loving homes.
The community can support the Scotiabank and OHS Fetching Funds campaign in two ways:
Donate online today or join the Scotiabank and OHS teams with a few animals in person to make your donation on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 am to 2 pm. A complete list of locations can be found here.
