Helping those impacted by the Northern Ontario wildfires 

As wildfires continue to force evacuations across Northern Ontario, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is helping keep families and their pets together by providing emergency support for animals displaced by the crisis. 

Working alongside the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response, the Red Cross, municipalities, Airbnb, 211Ontario, and animal welfare partners across Ontario, we’re providing a range of services to support evacuated families and their animals, including: 

• Pet-friendly housing: Working with Airbnb to help find housing for people and their pets, so families can stay together during this difficult time. 

• Pet emergency boarding: Adoptable animals from the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Northwest Animal Centre in Thunder Bay have been moved south to provide temporary shelter at the centre for displaced animals while families get settled. 

• Emergency food: Approximately 75,000 lbs of emergency dog food are being distributed through hubs in Thunder Bay and Dryden, with supplies also reaching host sites provincially. 

• Emergency supplies: Crates, leashes, collars, harnesses, bowls, and other essentials are being provided to families arriving at evacuation centres and host communities with little more than the pets in their arms. 

• Wildfire telehealth for pets: Available to pet parents and emergency responders, alongside vaccinations and basic medical care to help keep evacuated animals healthy. 

• Clinical support for pets: Pets impacted by the wildfires who need an in-person visit with a vet can access our clinical services. We’re offering vaccines, spay/neuter services, and health checks by our veterinary team for free. 

• RV parking support: Working with our partners to find temporary parking for families arriving with their RVs, so they can stay with their animals. 

• Livestock support: We are working with our partners to offer support for livestock, should families need it. 

• 211Ontario Support: The Ontario SPCA is working with 211Ontario to help connect people affected by the wildfires with pet-related resources.   

If you are in need of support 

Anyone affected by the wildfires who needs support with their pets is encouraged to call 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) and follow the prompts to be connected with available services. 

Generosity in action 

This support wouldn’t be possible without our generous supporters. We want to thank everyone who has donated to the Ontario SPCA’s Emergency Response Fund. 

We are incredibly grateful to The Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation for their generous $50,000 donation to our Emergency Response Fund, supporting pets and their families who are fleeing the devastating wildfires, arriving with little more than their pets in their arms.  

We have also had corporate partners step up to support our efforts. A big thank you to Mars Pet Nutrition Canada for supporting us with pet food supplies for people and pets in need. We’d also like to thank Pet Valu’s Companions for Change™ for donating some of the pet supplies we are distributing and Boehringer Ingelheim for supporting our efforts. 

We have also received numerous products and supplies from veterinary clinics across the province, who have generously donated to the cause. 

How you can help 

This response is ongoing, and it’s made possible by community support. A gift to our Emergency Response Fund helps us continue providing food, supplies, veterinary care, and emergency boarding to pets and the families who love them. 

To learn more or donate to the Ontario SPCA’s Emergency Response Fund, visit ontariospca.ca/emergency-response. 

Every donation makes a difference. 

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