Victoria man's estate leaves $518K to animal shelter in honour of beloved cat
A Victoria man has bequeathed more than half a million dollars to a local animal shelter in honour of his beloved cat, according to the Capital Regional District.
The district said Thursday that Francis Gordon Ainsworth left $518,000 to the CRD Animal Shelter upon his death last December.
Ainsworth and his partner of 50 years, Robert Alvin Carter, donated annually to the shelter in the name their pet cat, Whiskey, the CRD said.
Carter died in 2018, according to an obituary for Ainsworth in the Times-Colonist newspaper.
Following Carter’s death, “Whiskey the Cat provided unconditional love and companionship during this difficult time,” the obituary noted.
“Mr. Ainsworth and Mr. Carter learned about the work of the CRD at a community outreach event where the animal shelter was promoting its work,” the regional district said in a statement Thursday.
“Inspired by staff’s passion for animal welfare, they became annual donors and were pleased to be able to assist with providing new beds for dogs, hide and perch boxes for the cats, and to help fund the care of extreme medical cases,” the CRD said.
The animal shelter at 5401 Pat Bay Highway offers a temporary home for injured and strayed pets and livestock.
The shelter has also provided emergency medical care to more than 400 animals over the past four years, at a cost of approximately $150,000 over the past four years, according to the regional district.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.