Petsafetyisimportanttoo

Editor:

I want to thank the Optimist and the Delta Police for the excellent magazine “Seniors Safety” that was inserted in the March 9th edition There is however, a lack of information regarding pets and disasters. Pets are extremely important to seniors and must be part of a disaster plan

I was a disaster management volunteer for 19 years with Emergency Support Service in Delta, the Red Cross, Noah’s Wish and Canadian Disaster

Response Team. During that time, I responded with Noah’s Wish to Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Gustav, a flood in Minot, ND, forest fires in Lillooet, and West Kelowna housing and rescuing animals

With the Red Cross I responded to a number of disasters in Alberta, Saskatchewan and events in the Lower Mainland

With ESS, I responded to house and apartment fires in Delta and in the Fraser Valley

Two of the most important lessons I learned during this time was the importance of having house insurance and preparing pets for evacuation

Many communities in B C include pets in their Emergency Preparedness plans In the event of a large disaster such as a pet friendly apartment building, ESS has designated buildings to house pets for up to 72 hours

ESS works with the Delta Community Animal Shelter, police and fire to ensure pets are housed or rescued.

Fran Cameron

Garter snakes: another reminder that harassment is an offence

Editor:

Snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils are not the only things emerging as we experience bursts of warm, sunny weather

Our local garter snakes are starting to come out of hibernation meaning it’s time for a reminder that they must not be handled or removed from their natural habitat All snakes in British Columbia are protected by law under the BC Wildlife Act and it is an offence under the Act to harass them or attempt to capture or possess them Anything that causes them stress, such as picking them up, is harassment They are wild creatures, not pets and certainly not toys

Children should be encouraged to observe and learn about these interesting creatures but to show them respect by allowing them space and peace to follow their natural instincts

Following is a link to a pamphlet with photos and more information about the garter snakes of

Boundary Bay. See more at: https://dncb files wordpress.com/2022/03/ snakes final pdf

Parents should keep in mind that, although non venomous, garter snakes may bite and bacteria can cause irritation and swelling. Rare allergic reactions may also occur

Let’s all enjoy the beauty of spring Smell the flowers; listen to the birds; take photos of everything nature, has to offer, including the snakes. Look but don’t touch!

Elizabeth Perrin