An Okanagan charity that focuses on helping abandoned, neglected and abused animals across the region recently received a significant fundraising boost.

On May 10, Scotiabank Fetching Funds was held across nine Scotiabank locations throughout the Okanagan region, including Penticton, West 琉璃神社, 琉璃神社, Vernon, and Salmon Arm, to help raise money for the Okanagan Humane Society. 

Volunteers from OHS, accompanied by 鈥淎lumni Animals" pets who had been rescued and re-homed through the organization, attended each branch to collect donations. 

Marni Adams, the fund development specialist at OHS, said the community's response was amazing, raising a total of $12,226.07 on the day. 

鈥淚n late June, Scotiabank employees at the 琉璃神社 Lakeshore branch presented a matching cheque, doubling the amount raised to $24,452.14,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he funds raised will go a long way in helping us provide necessary medical support, and then find loving homes for the animals in our care.鈥� 

There were more than 30 Scotiabank volunteers who worked to raise funds during the event. 

The average cost of care for an animal at OHS is approximately $300. 

鈥淲ith the funds raised through this partnership, OHS will be able to assist up to 80 animals. This comes at a crucial time, as OHS is currently in the midst of its busiest rescue season, with over 300 animals in care as of July 11,鈥� said Adams. 

She added that more than 199 of these animals are kittens, and new cases continue to pour in daily. 

As a foster-based, volunteer-powered organization, 95 per cent of every dollar raised goes directly to medical care for animals. In addition to its Rescue Program, OHS also makes spay/neuter accessible to low-income families to help prevent pet overpopulation and end the unnecessary suffering of animals. 

In 2023, OHS assisted more than 2,500 animals. 

鈥淎lready this year that number is above 2,000 and on track to double by the end of 2024,鈥� explained Adams.

To learn more about OHS, go to or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.