Isla Animals Newsletter

Isla Animals has started the new year stronger than ever. No better time than the present to set up new goals, new ambitious plans and ever so important projects!

Join us while we get ready to celebrate the second anniversary of breaking ground at Oasis!

These last months have been so busy, we are late on sending this newsletter... but forgive us! It's just a testimony of how hard our little team works and how much we are doing! 

So... want to see more of what we are doing!?

In March, we hosted another one of our spay and neuter campaigns—something we absolutely love doing here at Isla Animals Oasis!

This time, it was a two-day whirlwind right at our shelter, and while we’re still learning how to best use and adapt our space for events like this, it was a true example of what teamwork and community can achieve. We had about 20 amazing volunteers show up to help, including the incredible Alison and Trina, who joined us with all their heart and energy.

The first day threw us a curveball—we had over 70 animals checked in and were short one vet, so things moved a little slower than we hoped. But everyone kept going, stayed patient, and gave their all. By the end of the day, we had successfully spayed/neutered 33 dogs and 4 cats.

On day two, we caught our rhythm. The team powered through and made up for lost time—spaying/neutering another 47 dogs and 27 cats. That brought us to a total of 110 animals in just two days!

It’s always incredible to see what’s possible when people come together. And doing it all here at Oasis made it even more special. We're still figuring out how to make the space work for events like this—where to set up check-in, how to keep animals cool and comfortable, and how to streamline our flow—but every campaign teaches us something new. Each time, we feel a little more at home in our new space.

Thank you to all the volunteers who came and offered their time to this worthy cause! Thank you to the vets that do fantastic work, thank you to the rescuers that worked on trapping doggies and bringing them over, and doing all the legwork! Thank you to Pat for fundraising for this event, and thank you to Nicole from SMIO Digital Marketing for sponsoring half of the animals we did. 

It takes a village. You are the best village!

INTAKE

And everything else going on! (truly it's a lot... so we'll list you the main things!)

We have taken so many doggies in the last two months!!!! Babies, mommies, pregnant dogs, abandoned doggies, more litters dumped in cardboard boxes in Isla Mujeres... more TVT cases... a bit of everything!

These last few months we rescued a litter of wild puppies (had never been touched by a human!) right around the corner of Oasis, we took in another litter abandoned in a cardboard box in Isla and two puppies that were repeatedly left in the streets a a high risk of getting hit by cars, we took a few adults, mostly pregnant females, and we have been helping a rescue friend to place her very adoptable doggies. 

It's been a lot of dogs coming in, but also, thanks to this amazing community, it has also been a lot of doggies leaving for a better life!!!! 

Isla Mujeres Outreach program

We keep working on Isla as we always have, thanks to our dearest volunteer, Ashley. She is our force on site, picking up doggies for spay and neuter, checking on sick doggies in the streets, even bringing them to the vet when necessary. And, of course, picking up puppies that then come to Oasis!

Brown dog has not improved as we would have liked to. He has ehrlichia and is anemic. We provided his family with the meds but we don't know if they actually gave them to him... so here Ashley went to the vet for some bloodwork. 

He is so skiny because he has ehrlichia. This is what it looks like, a tick-borne disease that's preventable and that a lot of dogs live with (75% of our intake comes positive for Ehrlichia - we do spend a lot of money on doxycycline!!!). Do remember, he has a family. We need to treat him, yes, but also make sure his family better care for him... as they have gotten a puppy now... as well..

Another project going on in Isla is helping in cases where we know people cannot afford to feed their animals. These doggies live on the Caribbean side going towards Punta Sur, many have seen them. We stopped to talk to the owners (always the place to start!) and they explained that they cannot feed them properly. The dogs are not in bad shape, but they had fleas and ticks, so we gave them preventatives, dewormed them, and bring them food every other week, so yes! Food donations are always welcome and put to good use!!!

Jungle Puppies RESCUE

This was a special one, mainly cause we were looking for one puppy and found four... a wild momma, and a whole pack of jungle doggies that needed some help. It was a rush to rescue them and here there it the full video!!!!

Isla Animals OASIS news!

We still have some stuff to do at Oasis... while we are 100% operational... we have a ton of things to be finished and this is what we are working on!!!! 

We are soon approaching the 2 year anniversary of that day in May when we broke land for the first time... It hasn't even been two years yet!

Our GFM is still active... please consider donating so we can finish the million details left here to be able to say we finished Isla Animals Oasis!!!! It's been going slow, but every little bit helps and every month we get your donations and that is how Oasis exists today!!!!! THANK YOU!

And as always...

THANK YOU! Thank you for believing in our mission and sharing this crazy adventure with us! There is still a lot to do... so stay tuned and help if you can! Every little bit makes a huge difference!

Please help us with this beautiful project. We still need funds to finish the volunteers' apartment, fence different areas, and so much more. 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-isla-animals-rescue?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

What's New & Different? National Audio Video—Lighting control is an expanding part of their business.

Feature in our Winter 2024 Issue: Homes by AVI

THE SOVEREIGN
Redefining the art of urban living in downtown Calgary, Sovereign on 17th blends modern luxury with the city’s own vibrant energy, capturing a distinctive and unique urban experience. A premiere, concrete, mid-rise residential development of impressive style and stature, Homes by Avi is positioned to unveil urban living at its core.

What's New & Different? Cosentino Introduces - Le Chic Bohème by Silestone®XM

Featured in our new Winter 2024 Issue: Vicky's Homes

PAST & PRESENCE
Vicky’s Home’s commitment to creating a lifestyle that is considerately connected to its setting reveals a tropical oasis of features and function for the entire family.

Our new Winter 2024 issue is now available on newsstands for $6.95 CDN.
(Hint: try your local Indigo for guaranteed results)

A digital issue can be downloaded at our store here for $3.99 CDN.

To subscribe to Best Home visit our page here
A one year subscription (2 issues, print copies) is $12.99 or two year subscription (4 issues) is $19.95

Get your issue today!

The Winter 2024 issue is now available!

Our new Winter 2024 issue is now available on newsstands for $6.95 CDN.
(Hint: try your local Indigo for guaranteed results)

A digital issue can be downloaded at our store here for $3.99 CDN.

To subscribe to Best Home visit our page here
A one-year subscription (2 issues, print copies) is $12.99 or two-year subscription (4 issues) is $19.95

Get your issue today!

How 5 Major Events Are Reshaping the Housing Market for 2025

#1 - The Bank of Canada Gets Cut-Happy

The Bank's rate-cutting spree looked like a going-out-of-business sale - five markdowns totalling 175 basis points. By December, prime rate was all the way down to 5.45% as Team Macklem tried anxiously to pump up our wilting economy.

2025 outlook: No one will be surprised if unemployment tops seven percent. However, slowing population growth and a U.S.-led economic rebound (assuming we get no debilitating tariffs) should keep job losses from doing a full-on mountain climber impression. That's a positive for both mortgage arrears and originations.

#2 - U.S. Tariffs Loom Large

President-elect Donald Trump, with all the finesse of a bull in a crystal shop, has proposed a 25% tariff on Canadian goods. The concerns he cited included drug trafficking and illegal immigration into the U.S. His proposal, seen as a partial bluff by some, sparked equal parts panic, outrage and disbelief on this side of the border.

2025 outlook: Uncle Sam needs Canadian natural resources like a smartphone needs a charger, and our next government should get more handshakes than eye rolls from Trump. Moreover, trade wars would cost too many American jobs. Hence, this humble author's expectation is that tariffs—if any—should be limited to relatively short-lived 10% tariffs with carve-outs. In the event this expectation is wrong, and an all-out trade war ensues, rates could take a recession-driven dive followed by a dreaded stagflation boomerang back up. 

#3 - Canadian Politics Turns into a Soap Opera

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's abrupt resignation in December sent Trudeau's Liberal's into a tailspin. Add that to U.S. tariff threats, more inflationary spending proposals, Trump's mockery of Trudeau, and a slew of new spending, and you get a sweeping loss of confidence in our government. 

2025 outlook: A federal election should be triggered as early as late March when the House returns from break, with an actual election as soon as mid-to-late spring. A Pierre Poilievre-led government could cut spending (bearish for bond yields), slash taxes (bullish for bond yields) and improve investor sentiment (bullish for bond yields). As a base case, one can expect an economic boost that should limit the downsides of inflation, bond yields, and mortgage rates.

#4 - Unemployment Climbs the Charts

The unemployment rate ascended to a three-year peak of 6.8% in November. Despite adding 239,000 full-time jobs for the 25-plus crowd, economic vital signs remained weak. That convinced the Bank to prescribe extra rate-cutting medicine (50 bps cuts) in both October and December.

2025 outlook: Canada survived the rate hike tsunami far better than doomsayers predicted. And, despite unemployment hitting multi-year highs, average core inflation remained stickier than expected–ending the year at 2.65%. That's clearly well above the BoC's 2% target—and it's trending up—which could potentially limit the downside for rates.

#5 - Real Estate Finds Its Floor

Overall home values flatlined in 2024, as measured by CREA's benchmark national home price. Rapid household formation, falling rates, improved sentiment and rising incomes helped put a floor under prices. By year-end, real estate activity was hitting two-year highs.

2025 outlook: Real estate pundits are widely predicting home price appreciation this year on the back of falling rates, modestly better affordability, improved confidence, looser mortgage rules and rising incomes. While these first four factors are a near lock, the most important driver (falling rates) is anything but. Market-implied rate cut probabilities suggest at least one or two more Bank of Canada rate drops. The same can't be said for bond yields, however, which are largely at the mercy of Trump 2.0 and inflation.

Mute the Noise, Master Risk Management

Uncertainty in the mortgage business is nothing new. Canada's mortgage market will ride out any storms as it always has. 

Borrowers should treat market noise like a bad soundtrack - mute it and focus on managing rate risk—to the extent their finances and mindset dictate. The sweet spot to start the year is the 3-year fixed. It offers a degree of protection against reinflation, lower penalty risk and attractive pricing relative to other terms. But don't overlook 5-year hybrids (part fixed and part variable). They're like custom-tailored mortgage suits, given their ability to precisely calibrate rate exposure to the borrower's risk appetite.

Featured in our Summer 2024 Issue: Timber Ridge Homes

Nature va Nurture

Timber Ridge Homes delivers more than a lifestyle, they create comparable beauty amidst superb settings that act as an extension of home.

Our new Summer 2024 issue is now available on newsstands for $7.95 CDN.
(Hint: try your local Indigo for guaranteed results)

A digital issue can be downloaded at our store here for $3.99 CDN.

To subscribe to Best Home visit our page here
A one year subscription (2 issues) is $12.99 or two year subscription (4 issues) is $19.95

Get your issue today!

Featured in our Summer 2024 Issue: Diamond Contracting

Personality Plus

Diamond Contracting shows how a little imagination and inspiration can capture lifestyle with an abundance of warmth and charm.

Our new Summer 2024 issue is now available on newsstands for $7.95 CDN.
(Hint: try your local Indigo for guaranteed results)

A digital issue can be downloaded at our store here for $3.99 CDN.

To subscribe to Best Home visit our page here
A one year subscription (2 issues) is $12.99 or two year subscription (4 issues) is $19.95

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The 7 Secrets of Home Staging, Revealed

Whether you're selling a cozy condo or a spacious estate, proper home design and staging can make all the difference in how quickly–and for how much–your property sells. Studies have shown that staged homes sell 73% faster than unstaged homes. The experts at Vesta Home, the country's largest luxury home staging company, offer these seven keys (and some tricks of the trade!) to creating a welcoming environment that maximizes appeal, ensuring that the color palette, room layout, and furniture selections work together to tell a story that resonates with buyers. As seen on Netflix's Selling Sunset and in Architectural Digest, Vesta designers are the masters of transforming empty spaces into alluring places.

1. Focus on First Impressions  

There are many ways to stage a home for sale, but one of the most high-impact areas to focus on is the entryway. You want potential buyers to walk into a space that instantly conveys the home's style, and sets a positive expectation for the entire property. Make it memorable by considering statement lighting such as a chandelier or pendant to brighten the space and serve as a focal point. Use a stylish console table paired with a sleek mirror to enhance the room's visual depth, and incorporate greenery or fresh flowers to introduce a natural, fresh element.

A well-staged entryway can define the mood of a home. The Brunswick console at Stradella Road, curated by Kiel Wuellner, Vesta's Senior Creative Director in L.A., blends sleek minimalism with bold impact for an unforgettable first impression. By paying attention to the small details in this transitional space, you are setting the perfect stage for the rest of the tour. 

2. Declutter, But Don't Diminish 

When curating your home for staging, you want to strike the right balance between decluttering and preserving the home's charm. While decluttering helps potential buyers focus on the space itself, adding a few carefully selected items, like a textured accent chair or statement artwork, can make the space feel inviting and lived-in. Vesta designer Laurissa Chambers in San Francisco showcased this perfectly by incorporating our Milo tufted bench by the fireplace. The abstract artwork above further emphasized the architectural feature of the fireplace, drawing the eye while complementing the home's design.

The key? Enhance the room without overwhelming it, allowing each piece to serve a purpose, whether it's highlighting architectural features or adding texture and warmth. This thoughtful approach is what we call house-to-home staging, where the goal for professional stagers is to give context to empty spaces. Furniture and decor bring personality to the space, allowing buyers to envision themselves living there while maintaining a neutral, elegant design. In Vesta's case, we know if we're successful when the new homeowner wants to buy the furniture used in staging! 

3. Magnify Your Home's Unique Features 

Spotlighting the features that make your home stand out goes a long way to making a lasting impression on buyers. Architectural details like exposed beams, intricate moldings, or a unique staircase should be showcased with furniture that complements these elements, allowing them to shine. For example, placing a sleek, modern sofa under an exposed beam accentuates its rustic charm, while positioning artwork or sculptures around an intricate archway draws attention to its sophistication.

Spacious open areas can also benefit from curated furniture placements that emphasize the flow of the room while keeping it functional. Large windows or high ceilings can be highlighted by choosing light, airy furnishings, and allowing natural light to fill the space, making the room feel larger. Dressing a home for sale involves putting the home's best features forward with tailored decor, helping buyers visualize not only the space itself but also how they can make it their own.

4. Choose Neutral Foundations with Flair

Start with a neutral foundation to appeal to a wide range of buyers; light grays, whites, and soft taupes allow the space to feel open while letting other elements stand out. You can then punctuate the design with stylish accents—colorful pillows, artwork, or rugs, e.g.—that contrast with the neutral tones and infuse the room with energy. In this neutral bedroom, Vesta designer Kiel added earthy terracotta tones through printed pillows to bring out a subtle Spanish Revival style.

Neutral colors lend a versatile backdrop for different furniture and decor styles. You can also introduce texture with luxe fabrics such as velvet cushions or a leather sofa, which adds warmth and richness to the room without overpowering the simplicity of the neutral base. By using neutral tones as the canvas and selectively adding these details, you'll achieve one of the hallmarks of the best-staged homes: to ensure that the space is both attractive and flexible, helping potential buyers imagine themselves living there. 

5. Be Strategic in Space Planning

When staging a home, it's essential to design each room to highlight its function, allowing potential buyers to easily envision how they would use the space in daily life. At a Vesta-staged property in Tribeca, our New York City Creative Director, Christina Mully, created a playful bedroom that included vibrant elements that reflected the lifestyle of families in the area, with colorful accents and kid-friendly features. Christina's attention to the context of the neighborhood adds layers of meaning to her detailed designs, bringing each space to life.

A seamless flow between spaces is also key. In an open-plan living area, placing the dining area adjacent to the living space with a soft rug or different lighting defines the area while still maintaining a sense of openness. In larger homes with dedicated rooms, position furniture to delineate each room's function. A home office, for instance, can be staged with a desk near natural light, a comfortable chair, and organizational elements, implying the space's high productivity potential. Each thoughtful home staging decision helps a buyer understand the flow of the place–and the overall value of the property. 

6. Illuminate with Intent

Natural light is a key feature that brings life to a space, making it feel larger and more inviting. Maximize this by keeping windows clear and using light, airy curtains that allow sunlight to filter through. A well-placed mirror opposite a window can reflect the light for even more brightness. To enrich the atmosphere further, incorporate soft, warm lighting through table lamps, floor lamps, or sconces. This layered approach adds depth and warmth, creating a balanced space that's both functional and stylish. This intentional use of light is a central factor in beautifully staged homes, where every element works in harmony.

 7. Elevate Your Outdoor Living 

Outdoor spaces have become increasingly important for buyers seeking areas for relaxation, entertainment, and connection with nature. To make the most of this valuable space, incorporate exterior home staging by extending your interior style to the outdoors. Consider using complementary furniture and decor to the home's interior design, ensuring a cohesive flow between the inside and outside. For example, if your interior features neutral tones with warm accents carry that palette through to the patio with soft cushions, woven rugs, and natural wood furniture. This makes for a seamless transition and helps buyers instantly see the full potential of both the interior and exterior spaces.

In the Sky Arc project in Nevada, Vesta designer Lisa Vail achieved this by selecting furnishings that blended the indoor and outdoor spaces, mirroring the stunning landscape of the Nevada desert. By incorporating pieces that echoed the natural surroundings, she allowed potential buyers to connect with both the environment and the property itself.

Featured in our Summer 2024 Issue: Rangeview

New to Rangeview
Section 23 Developments offers a garden-to-table lifestyle that appeals to those who share not only a love of the land, but a community spirit.

Our new Summer 2024 issue is now available on newsstands for $7.95 CDN.
(Hint: try your local Indigo for guaranteed results)

A digital issue can be downloaded at our store here for $3.99 CDN.

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A one year subscription (2 issues) is $12.99 or two year subscription (4 issues) is $19.95

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Featured in our New Summer 24 Issue: Kanvi Homes

Clearly Kanvi
Kanvi Homes elevates contemporary design to a new level of excellence.

Our new Summer 2024 issue is now available on newsstands for $7.95 CDN.
(Hint: try your local Indigo for guaranteed results)

A digital issue can be downloaded at our store here for $3.99 CDN.

To subscribe to Best Home visit our page here
A one year subscription (2 issues) is $12.99 or two year subscription (4 issues) is $19.95

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Featured in our Summer 2024 Issue: Newcastle Homes & Renovations

Triple Threat
Newcastle Homes & Renovations celebrates the unique personality of home, encouraging who we are at every stage of our lives.

Our new Summer 2024 issue is now available on newsstands for $7.95 CDN.
(Hint: try your local Indigo for guaranteed results)

A digital issue can be downloaded at our store here for $3.99 CDN.

To subscribe to Best Home visit our page here
A one year subscription (2 issues) is $12.99 or two year subscription (4 issues) is $19.95

Get your issue today!