'She would love it': Donations made in B.C. woman's honour to pets rescued from Afghanistan
The legacy of a Richmond, B.C., animal lover is living on with donations being sent in her honour to help rescued pets from Afghanistan.
Marylin Bitcon, owner and operator of a Steveston pet food store, died unexpectedly in December.
Volunteers packed up supplies and donated goods from the store to give to rescued pets that arrived at Vancouver International Airport from Afghanistan last week.
"Every single coat and sweater and fleece that we had in the store, they've gone out there," said Isobel McCready, a volunteer.
McCready said treats, harnesses and more than 150 leashes were also donated.
The volunteers say donating these goods is what Bitcon would have wanted, and that it's the perfect way to share her legacy.
"She was so loved. Everyone in Steveston knew her," McCready said. "She was just always happy, always had something good to say about everyone, she loved animals. She tirelessly worked to help different organizations."
Last week, a massive aircraft carrying nearly 300 dogs and cats landed at the Vancouver airport. The animals were left stranded after their owners fled the country.
Over a six-month period, the SPCA and partners, including Kabul Small Animal Rescue, banded together on a mission to evacuate the animals safely.
Many of the animals were reunited with their owners, while the rest are being kept at a 17,000-square-foot newly renovated facility in the south terminal at YVR until they can be put up for adoption.
"I just know she's looking down and nodding. She would approve of everything," McCready said of Bitcon. "She would love it."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.