Keeping pets and people together
Like many shelters across the province, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society has experienced an increase in animals coming into its care this year. Pet overpopulation, financial challenges and a lack of access to basic veterinary services are all contributing factors.
To help keep animals out of shelters and with the people they love, the Ontario SPCA is working to increase access to basic veterinary care, including spay/neuter services, and delivering community support services, like distributing pet food to food banks to keep furry bellies full.
In today’s blog, we’ll explore some of the reasons that animals end up coming into our care for re-homing, and what we do as part of our mission to keep pets with their families.
Understanding the root causes
One of the primary drivers behind this increase in rehoming is pet overpopulation. When the number of animals needing homes exceeds the number of available adopters, more animals end up in shelters.
Pet overpopulation is often tied to a lack of accessible basic veterinary and spay/neuter services, particularly in underserved communities. In many Northern and remote communities, in particular, veterinary services may be hundreds of kilometers away, creating significant barriers to routine pet care.
Tackling the problem at the root
To help address the root cause of animal overpopulation, we operate three high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics to make these essential services more accessible to underserved communities.
Since launching our high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter services in 2009, the Ontario SPCA has performed more than 150,000 surgeries at its clinics in Barrie and Stouffville. These clinics, which also provide basic veterinary care for families without the means to take their animal to a local veterinarian for routine care, ensure no pet is left behind – regardless of income or geography.
To help make spay/neuter services more accessible in Northern Ontario, the Ontario SPCA recently opened a new clinic in Sudbury, in partnership with Collège Boréal. It offers spay/neuter and basic veterinary services for publicly owned dogs and cats, local rescue organizations, and animals in the care of the Ontario SPCA Sudbury & District Animal Centre.
In addition to providing essential care, the clinic also supports the training of future veterinary professionals. It serves as a hands-on learning facility for students enrolled in Collège Boréal’s Veterinary Care Technician program, preparing graduates to meet the rising demand for veterinary services in their communities.
Read more about our new Sudbury clinic.
Taking spay/neuter on the road
The Ontario SPCA also hosts MASH-style (Mobile Animal Spay/Neuter Hospital) events in underserved areas. These temporary, high-volume clinics bring spay/neuter and basic veterinary services directly to communities that otherwise have little or no access to this care.
By making spay/neuter and basic care available where it’s needed most, these events help keep animals happy and healthy, reducing the number of animals entering our care. These wellness events are made possible thanks to community partners, including Pet Valu, which has been a strong supporter through its Companions for Change sponsorship. Learn more about our basic veterinary services and MASH-style clinics.
All aboard the Neuter Scooter
To further reduce barriers to spay/neuter services, the Ontario SPCA rolled out its Neuter Scooter pilot program in 2024. The service transports animals to partnering high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics for surgery, then returns them to their waiting families at the end of the day.
Learn more about the Neuter Scooter program.
Keeping furry bellies full
With the goal of keeping animals with the families who love them, we also offer a variety of community support services to help those who may be struggling to care for their animals. Through our provincial pet food distribution program, we work with community food banks to keep furry bellies full. By distributing donated pet food to communities across Ontario, we help ease the financial burden on families and keep animals where they belong; at home with the people who love them.
Pawsitive Packs hit the street
To assist pet parents who may be unhoused, or at risk of becoming unhoused, the Ontario SPCA has rolled out a new pilot initiative called Pawsitive Packs.
Working with local social service agencies to distribute the packs to those who need them, the Ontario SPCA is now operating the program in York Region, Orillia and Cornwall. A total of 180 of these cold weather packs were given out in 2024, with summer versions of the packs rolling out in 2025.
Strengthening the human-animal bond
The Ontario SPCA is working to keep pets with the families who love them by removing barriers to care. Through spay/neuter clinics and community support programs, we’re working to prevent unwanted litters and keep animals healthy and at home. These programs reduce shelter intake and keep more tails wagging as animals enjoy life with their families.
As a registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society depends on the generosity of donors to change the lives of animals in need. Please consider donating today to help make these life-changing programs possible.
