Expanded Ontario SPCA donation helps pets and their people stay warm this winter
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Midhurst/March 3, 2025 – The County of Simcoe and its partners at the Town of Wasaga Beach and Faith Missionary Church thank the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society for once again providing help so that vulnerable residents and their pets can stay warm this winter.
Through a generous donation from the Ontario SPCA Barrie Animal Centre, individuals experiencing homelessness can now bring their pets to the Wasaga Beach Warming Centre. The expanded partnership between the County and the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society allows unhoused people and their pets in the Wasaga Beach area more access to safe, warm facilities over the winter months.
The donation includes essential supplies such as food, crates, dog jackets, and ongoing support throughout the winter season.
While using County-funded warming centres, individuals can also access support to find shelter, housing, healthcare, and other services and supports. These services are part of a larger effort to help more individuals gain access to social and wellness-related assistance and help them move to other levels of housing supports if they choose.
The Wasaga Beach Warming Centre remains a true collaborative effort to support unhoused individuals. The Centre’s partners also include Faith Missionary Church, who provides shelter and food, the Town of Wasaga Beach, who has generously donated cots, bedding and local public transit, and the County of Simcoe with financial support for its operations through funding of operator costs, food, and needed supplies.
Quotes
“As part of its expanded partnership with the County of Simcoe, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is once again helping unhoused people in Wasaga Beach keep their pets close while accessing critical support during the coldest months of the year. Animals provide crucial emotional support and motivation during difficult times, and this collaboration ensures that unhoused individuals can receive care without worrying about separating from their beloved pets.”
~ Basil Clarke, Warden, County of Simcoe
“This partnership is a heartwarming example of how we can work together to make a difference. Thanks to the generous support of the Ontario SPCA Barrie Animal Centre, individuals experiencing homelessness now have a safe place to come in from the cold with their pets this winter. It’s a reminder that compassion doesn’t stop at people – it extends to our furry friends too. The Town of Wasaga Beach is proud to be a part of this effort to help ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are not forced to choose between their safety and the well-being of their pets.”
~ Brian Smith, Mayor, Town of Wasaga Beach
“The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society wants to keep animals with the families who love them. By working together, we can help make that possible. We are very appreciative to everyone who has come together to make this pet-friendly warming centre a reality.”
~ Shannon Laflamme, Community Outreach Coordinator, Ontario SPCA Barrie Animal Centre
About the Wasaga Beach Warming Centre
The Wasaga Beach Warming Centre is a temperature-activated warming centre when temperatures are expected to fall below -10°C. It operates up to seven nights per week, from 8:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.
The warming services funded by the County of Simcoe complement regular municipal service contributions as part of its 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy. Anyone needing shelter or warmth can call 2-1-1 to connect with a nearby shelter or visit simcoe.ca/WinterWarming for location information. For more information about the homelessness prevention plan and updates, visit simcoe.ca/HomelessnessSystem.
Keeping pets safe during the coldest months of the year
As winter progresses, it’s crucial to monitor your pet’s well-being during cold weather. Watch for signs that your pet may be too cold, including:
- Shaking or shivering
- Changes in behaviour
- Lifting paws off the ground
- Signs of hypothermia (weakness, lethargy, muscle stiffness)
It’s important to pay attention to these warning signs, but you shouldn’t wait to see the first signs of discomfort to find warm shelter. Remember: if you think it’s too cold for you, then it’s too cold for your dog.
While maintaining a dog’s exercise requirements during the winter is important, when conditions are especially cold, it’s a good idea to keep walks short and supplement your pet’s exercise with some indoor activities. For more tips on keeping your pets safe this winter, visit ontariospca.ca.
About the County of Simcoe
County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.
About the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is a registered charity that has been changing the lives of animals for over 150 years. The Society provides care, comfort and compassion to animals in need in communities across Ontario. It values all animals and advocates to treat them with respect and kindness. The Society strives to keep pets and families together and does so through a variety of community support services, such as sheltering and adoptions, including emergency sheltering, feral cat management programs, animal transfers, food distribution, humane education, animal advocacy, and spay/neuter services.
The Ontario SPCA does not receive annual government funding and relies on donations to provide programs and services to help animals in need. To learn more, or to donate, visit ontariospca.ca. Charitable Business # 88969-1044-RR0002.
Media Relations
Ontario SPCA, Provincial Office
1-888-668-7722 ext. 375
Collin Matanowitsch
Manager, Public Relations County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Department
705-734-8386 (mobile)
