Community partnerships help animals in Northen Ontario
Last year, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society joined forces with community partners to help make a significant impact in Northern Ontario. With a focus on animal transfers, pet food distribution, and wellness clinics, we collaborated to improve the lives of animals in remote communities.
As we move forward in 2025, our commitment to Northern outreach remains stronger than ever. We kicked off 2025 with four animal transfers, marking the organization’s continued commitment to helping animals in the North.
2024 Northern outreach impact
In 2024, the Ontario SPCA successfully transported 225 animals, including 184 cats and 41 dogs, from Northern communities to areas where families were eager to adopt. These transfers are part of our ongoing efforts to address pet overpopulation, which remains a pressing issue in Northern Ontario due to limited access to basic animal wellness services, including spay/neuter procedures.
Throughout the year, the Ontario SPCA supported 32 communities with vital resources, including 64,750 lbs of pet food, which provided 153,946 meals for animals in need. In total, 10 trips were made, covering 23,504 kilometers to provide support to these communities.
“Your contribution is not only providing essential nutrition to pets but also bringing a sense of hope to those who may be struggling to care for their beloved animals,” says Jonathan Kenny, Animal Control Officer, Lac Seul First Nation Animal Control Department. “We are proud to partner with such a dedicated and compassionate organization, and we look forward to continuing this positive relationship.”
Spay/neuter initiatives
We are also making strides in our spay/neuter initiatives. The Ontario SPCA Mobile Animal Wellness Services unit remained stationed in Sudbury to provide accessible spay/neuter and basic veterinary services in the North. The unit alone performed 896 spay/neuter surgeries, preventing an estimated 52,160 potentially unwanted offspring.
Additionally, we held MASH (Mobile Animal Sterilization Hospital) clinics in four First Nations communities: Lac Seul First Nation, Constance Lake First Nation, Akwesasne, and Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation, in partnership with the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising.
“This spay/neuter and wellness clinic has been a great opportunity for the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising First Nation Communities. This was much needed for our communities to assist with the control of our pet population,” says Zachary Corbiere, By-Law Enforcement Officer, United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising.
Together, a total of 204 cats and dogs were spayed or neutered at these events, preventing an estimated 8,560 unplanned puppies and kittens.
First Northern animal transfers of 2025
At the beginning of February, the Ontario SPCA welcomed 10 dogs from Lac Seul First Nation, located northeast of Dryden. These dogs made the long, nearly 2,000-kilometre journey to find loving homes through the Ontario SPCA.
Seven of these dogs found a new start at the Ontario SPCA Leeds & Grenville Animal Centre in Brockville, while the other three were sent to the Humane Society of Durham Region for adoption.
Less than two weeks later, another group of 14 Northern dogs arrived from Northern Ontario, finding loving homes at the Ontario SPCA York Region Animal Centre, Ontario SPCA Orangeville & District Animal Centre and the Humane Society of Durham Region. The Ontario SPCA worked with community partners, Northern Reach Rescue Network and Lucky Mutts Dog Club, to ensure these dogs found loving homes.
“We are thrilled to welcome these wonderful dogs from the North,” says Arista Wogenstahl, Northern Regional Manager at the Ontario SPCA. “By working together with Northern communities, we can provide these animals with the second chance they deserve.”
Looking ahead
The Ontario SPCA’s continued work in the North, including animal transfers, pet food distribution, and wellness and spay/neuter clinics, is helping bridge the gap in animal welfare services and ensuring that pets in Northern communities can thrive.
By partnering with local communities and organizations, we are making a lasting impact in Northern Ontario, one animal at a time. The first two animal transfers of 2025 are just the beginning, and there is much more to come as we work to create brighter futures for animals in need.
As a registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society depends on the generosity of donors to provide these services. Please consider donating today to make life-changing work possible for animals across Ontario.
