Our Mission
We promote and foster animal welfare through the provision of our animal sanctuary in Summerland. We provide education and rescue to help end animal suffering throughout the Okanagan.
Celebrating 30 Years
of Bringing People & Animals Together
Cat Sanctuary
Pasture Pals
Thrift Shoppe
We all come from so many different walks of life, but all seem to share the same heart. We all give just that little bit and see the most amazing results and share in the triumph of what happens when a community comes together to rescue animals in desperate need.
Our Sanctuary
What began as a cat sanctuary has grown into a broader mission of care, now including Critteraid Farm and our Education and Outreach programs. We grow carefully, matching what we take on to the number of volunteers who commit to caring for the animals, because every animal here deserves consistent, dedicated attention.
As a charity, we rely on community support every day. Fundraising is ongoing and covers veterinary care, day-to-day operations, and the upkeep of our facilities.
Our Board of Directors takes its fiduciary responsibility seriously, and every decision is guided by one question: what is best for the animals in our care? Behind them stands a remarkable team of volunteers whose compassion and commitment place them among the finest in animal welfare.
We invite you to join us. Whether you volunteer, donate, or shop with us, you help make this work possible.
Our History
Critteraid is a place where hope has survived and that is a testament to all that have contributed. It built a solid foundation where people can rescue animals together in harmony to carry on an endeavor that started off as a dream, by the founder and past President Deborah Silk (McBride). With her vision, Critteraid became a safe sanctuary home for thousands of cats that have been abandoned or abused.
Our history is packed with people who have immense passion and compassion for animals that is truly beyond words to describe. The incredible dedication of an army of people within our community has been inspirational We are so thankful to all those in previous years that have graveled the road that we stand on. We are grateful to a beautiful community and all the volunteers that have contributed with sweat, tears and monetary gifts. The foundation they build is one to emulate for the future generations. Thank you to all, you are loved and very appreciated.
Board of Directors
The Critteraid Board of Directors is a working Board. As an animal charity, Critteraid needs the good sense and compassion that is vital to an organization such as ours.
We assure you that the comfort, safety, and well-being of the animals in our care as well as the Volunteers who mind them, is always the primary focus of what we do.
Deina Albrecht / President
I grew up on a hobby farm and have always been surrounded by animals. I began volunteering with Critteraid in 2021 and soon realized there was more to be done than snuggling the animals in our care.
With a career in construction, I first stepped in as Projects Director, taking on the repairs, building, maintenance, and improvements that a growing sanctuary always needs. Today I’m honoured to serve as President and to help guide Critteraid’s work alongside our dedicated board and volunteers.
I’m also a Reiki practitioner and work with all the animals at the Sanctuary. Their wellbeing is at the heart of everything I do. Many of our animals come to us after difficult beginnings, and helping them feel safe, calm, and cared for matters deeply to me. Whether I’m working at the Charity Shoppe or spending quiet time with a nervous cat, it’s all part of the same goal: giving every animal the best life we can.
Working with the animals and the amazing people at Critteraid is still my favourite thing to do!
Donna Evans/ Vice President
My love for animals has always been a big part of my life, and my connection to Critteraid began over 10 years ago when I adopted my dog, Maggie.
After a rewarding 35-year career in healthcare, including nursing, leadership, and management, I’m excited to begin a new chapter giving back to something close to my heart.
I hope to bring my experience in leadership, teamwork, and compassion to support Critteraid’s mission of rescuing, protecting, and caring for all animals in need.
I’m grateful to be part of an organization where dedicated volunteers work together to give animals the second chances they deserve.
Wes Stewart / Treasurer
Wes Stewart has spent over 20 years working in real estate, where he currently leads a team of agents. Throughout his career, he’s learned the value of teamwork, good planning, and building strong relationships — skills he’s happy to bring to his new role as Treasurer of Critteraid Animal Sanctuary.
An animal lover at heart, Wes has been volunteering with Critteraid for many years, pitching in wherever an extra set of hands was needed. Along the way, he’s had the opportunity to watch the sanctuary grow and evolve and has been especially impressed with the positive direction the organization has taken over the past decade.
Stepping into the Treasurer role feels like a natural next step and another way to support a cause that’s been close to his heart for a long time.
Wes is looking forward to working with the wonderful people who make Critteraid what it is, doing his part to help keep the organization strong and ensure the animals continue to get the love and care they deserve.
Gena Lock / Communications Director
Gena has always found animals to be the best of friends, and a source of wonder and admiration.
With some of her favorite reading materials featuring the adventures of country veterinarians, the histories of wild horses, primates, feral cats and the people who learned to communicate with them, it only made sense to find creatures to befriend, and to champion.
For gena, finding Critteraid was like walking into a waking dream.
She can often be found in the cat sanctuary communing with the wonderful felines, and practicing her eye-squint smiles on 4 and 2 legged beings, or else out in the pasture enjoying the company of the goats, pigs, and superior alpacas. Her dream is to one day make the need for rescues almost negligible as promoting education, and kindness towards animals helps people learn to cherish them, and foreground their best care and happiness
Andrea Turner / Director at Large and Pasture Volunteer
Andrea briefly volunteered at Critteraid in 2015. Life drew her away but in 2017, she was back.
She started to volunteer in the cat sanctuary and soon was spending a lot of time loving on, caring for and of course cleaning up after a lot of cats, a lot of the time. But then the magic of ducklings and 2 kid goats wooed her to the pasture about 4 years ago.
She happily spends most of her time nowadays cuddling critters and shoveling what is needed.
