Hairy Christmas — support your local heroes
These heroes wear mud boots, not capes. They leap over tall mounds of manure, not tall buildings. Their super power is to save lives and, unlike some heroes, they do it without fanfare, glory or newspaper headlines.
This holiday season, I’m spotlighting a few of the local/regional animal charities run by heroes who have selflessly stepped up to foster, rescue and give sanctuary to the forgotten, the abused and the homeless.
Unlike larger organizations such as the SPCA, they don’t have the publicity machine behind them to promote their good works and appeal for donations. I’m going to do that for them. And you are free to share this article to spread the love.
Here, then, are some of the animal rescues that would love a gift of support under the tree this year:
Twin Heart Animal Sanctuary. Run by Diane and Harry Nicholson in the B.C. Interior community of Tappen, Twin Heart has been around for about a decade and has become a home to chickens, dogs, cats, turkeys, goats, sheep, donkeys, hinnies, cattle and horses (and possibly more). The Nicholsons walk the talk when it comes to caring for farm animals. Both are vegan and Diane is a vocal advocate against factory farming. Her advocacy means that while Twin Heart is a non-profit, it can’t issue tax receipts for donations. It’s best to find Twin Heart on Facebook (they recently lost their 38,000 followers due to a Meta error). They also have a website, although Facebook is the best place to find out what they’re up to.
Eden’s Way Farm Sanctuary. Run by Jaye Dueck and her husband Murray outside of Kamloops, B.C., Eden’s Way began six years ago and has been home to more than 75 animals. They provide shelter and love to goats, sheep, ducks and turkeys, rabbits, cattle and horses. Like Twin Heart, the Duecks are vegans because they love animals. They are a registered charity. You’ll find Eden’s Way on Facebook. They also have a website.
Sammy’s Forgotten Felines. Founded in 2019, Sammy’s began when a group of volunteers involved in animal welfare tackled a large feral cat colony outside of Kamloops. The group trapped, neutered, rehabilitated and rehomed most of the 77 cats they caught and treated. Sammy’s does not have a shelter, so it relies on foster homes to temporarily house the cats it rescues. It is a registered charity and is based in Kamloops. You’ll find Sammy’s on Facebook. They also have a website.
Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge. Founded in 2009 by Shirley Mainprize, who passed away in early 2025, and her husband Robert Miller, this sanctuary near Chase, B.C., has a small but dedicated crew of staff, numerous volunteers and donors, and a board of directors. More than 100 donkeys have found sanctuary at Turtle Valley, whether they are miniature, mammoth or standard. It is a registered non-profit. The refuge’s Facebook page has the latest, or check out their website.
Here are some other animal rescues in the area (give or take):
Shuswap Paws Rescue Society (Salmon Arm)
Angel’s Animal Rescue (Merritt)
Elderdog Canada Kamloops Pawd (Kamloops)
Critteraid (Penticton)
Ruff Start Rescue (Kamloops)
Warren Peace Bunny Sanctuary (Oyama)