VANCOUVER, Sept. 9 /CNW/ - The BC SPCA and Scotiabank invite animal
lovers to come out today to support the 2007 Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a
Cause...Walk for the Animals at Vancouver's Vanier Park and at other locations
throughout the province.
    "This is a day of celebration to honour all the animals who touch our
lives, including domestic, wild and farm animals," said Craig Daniell, BC
SPCA's CEO. "Our four-month long campaign concludes today and we're aiming to
raise $750,000 for BC SPCA programs and shelters across the province."
    Paws for a Cause...Walk for the Animals is the largest provincial
fundraising campaign in support of animals. The flagship 5k walk for
Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond will start at noon at Vancouver's Vanier Park,
Chestnut Street and Ogden Street in Kits Point.
    "Our employees throughout the province really get behind Paws for a Cause
and are out in full force in various communities to walk with their two- and
four-legged friends to raise funds and awareness," said David Poole,
Scotiabank's Senior Vice-President, B.C. & Yukon Region. "To support their
fundraising efforts, I'm pleased to confirm that Scotiabank will once again
provide up to $15,000 to match the funds raised by our employees for Paws for
a Cause."
    With activities for the whole family to enjoy, this event should not be
missed. Approximately 2,000 animal lovers and their four-legged friends will
gather in Vanier Park to enjoy the festivities that kick-off at 10 a.m.
Highlights and activities include Musical Chairs for Dogs, the Doggie Bowl
Lickin' competition, and the SPCA pooch parade. Members of the BC Lions'
Felions dance team will make a special appearance and warm up the crowd prior
to the walk to the accompaniment of the SPCA theme song ("YMCA" song
adaptation).
    The Community Tent will feature local animal welfare groups: Furbearers
Defenders, Stanley Park Ecological Society, Critter Care Wildlife Rescue,
Vancouver Rabbit Rescue, Animal Relief Disaster Services, UBC Animal Welfare
Programs and BC SPCA's Cruelty Investigations Team.
    For more information about the campaign in your community, contact your
local SPCA branch or call 1-800-665-1868. Information is also available on the
recently launched Paws for a Cause website: www.spca.bc.ca/walk.

    Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live
and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally
and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, in 2006 the Bank provided more than $42 million in sponsorships
and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas
of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. Scotiabank is
on the World Wide Web at www.scotiabank.com.