Two Sooke RCMP officers pose with their furry friends at the Balfour Friends Foundation's “Officers on Pawtrol 2024 Calendar” fundraiser.
Corporal Erin McLeod will be appearing in November with her four-year-old French bulldog, Mackey Boy. Mary Ellen Somerville and her husband, Westshore RCMP Const. Darren Somerville will appear in March with Cocoa.
“(I'm) very grateful for the help and I'm glad that McKee is back in the spotlight,” McLeod said.
Somerville and McLeod said they participated because the Balfour Friends Foundation supports low-income families with pets in need of emergency veterinary care.
“Cocoa was a good girl and enjoyed being photographed,” Somerville said.
Sooke RCMP Detachment Commander Sergeant Greg Wilcox said the local equestrian tribes all have a strong interest in animals.
“In many cases, when members of the public visit a detachment, they see the pets of members and employees working together. In the past, members have taken care of animals found in abandoned homes. I even adopted one,” he said.
The calendar includes officers from Victoria, Saanich and Central Saanich police stations and RCMP detachments from West Shore, Sydney/North Saanich, Sooke and Oceanside. In addition to the canine companions, cats and ponies also appear.
BFF also produces the “Firefighters & Friends” calendar. Both can be purchased online at balfoursfriends.com/calendars.
The foundation is named in memory of Staff Sgt. Mr. Balfour Munkley is an animal lover who served in the BC Provincial Police and his RCMP.
Since 2012, BFF has raised and distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars across Vancouver Island to help low-income people, including seniors, people with disabilities, and single parents, pay for the veterinary care they need.
BFF is a volunteer-based registered charity that relies on donations, grants and fundraising.
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