The “three-pet rule” is designed to help build trust and confidence by giving animals the agency and choice to decide whether to interact. When they begin to understand that they have choice and the consequence of that choice is positive, they often begin to interact more on their own, understanding that they have the choice to move away or remove themselves from the interaction. This means after offering an interaction we stop and remove ourselves to see if the animals solicits or consents. This often reduces conflict, strengthens bonds and helps animals to understand they do not need to display discomfort by escalating to aggression.
Three-pet rule:
Whenever interacting with an animal, we should always implement the three-pet rule:
- We pet for three pets or three seconds and stop
- If an animal solicits attention further, we can go back to petting and periodically implement the three-pet rule throughout
- If an animal’s fear, anxiety and stress begin to rise when consent testing, always stop and re-evaluate
What does it look like?
1) Three pets or three seconds
- For felines it’s often best to offer a hand and see if they push into it or solicit affection. If they do, pet for three seconds or three pets then stop. If the cat continues to solicit, use the three pets or three seconds rule every so often to ensure they are enjoying, not just tolerating, the touch.
- For dogs it’s best not to offer a hand to them but instead when they approach offer pets in an appropriate area, under the chin or top of the back, wait pet for three seconds or three pets then stop. If the dog continues to solicit, use the three-pet or three-second rule every so often to ensure they are enjoying, not just tolerating, the touch.
2) If the animal moves away when you stop petting, this is a clear signal that they don’t want you to continue petting. Do not follow or attempt to solicit further; wait until they come back into your space, then continue by implementing the three-pet-rule again.
3) If the animal continues to solicit attention you may continue to pet. Be mindful of body language, keep petting sessions short and continue to evaluate throughout.
If you need assistance, please contact a professional trainer or a behaviour consultant.
If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation. As a registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Ontario SPCA depends on the generosity of donors to change the lives of animals in need.
National Volunteer Week takes place from April 27 to May 3 and this year’s theme, “Volunteers Make Waves,” recognizes the powerful impact of volunteer efforts. Like waves in the water, volunteering is a force for positive change, creating ripples that extend far beyond the initial act of kindness. At the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, our volunteers are at the heart of this movement, making a difference in the lives of animals across the province.
In 2024 alone, over 824 volunteers dedicated their time to helping animals in need. Our 193 foster volunteers provided loving homes for more than 1,850 animals, ensuring they received the care they needed before finding their forever families. Another 204 volunteers supported events, food distribution, and animal transfers, helping essential services reach animals and the people who love them. Volunteers also spent thousands of hours caring for cats and dogs in our 12 animal centres, making a direct impact on their overall well-being.
Today, we wanted to introduce you to one of our incredible volunteers.
Compassion in action: Cathy’s love for animals
In September 2023, Cathy, a devoted animal lover, took the next step in a lifelong commitment to animal welfare by becoming an active volunteer with the Ontario SPCA Orillia Animal Centre. Although her formal volunteering role began then, her support of the organization — through food and supply donations and fundraising efforts — stretches back much further.
Several years ago, she volunteered with a Toronto-based, volunteer-run animal rescue group, where she played a key role in fundraising. She initiated a donation box program and established food bank boxes in various local pet stores — grassroots efforts that made a big difference for animals in need.
Since joining the Ontario SPCA, she’s opened her heart and home to fostering. She provides a safe, healing space for cats and kittens that need a little extra TLC, helping them recover and prepare for adoption. One of her more recent fosters, Magnus, was a fearful and under-socialized cat who struggled in the shelter environment. With time, patience, and love, he began to come out of his shell — a testament to the power of a calm, nurturing home.
In addition to providing foster care, Cathy also takes her foster animals to veterinary appointments, ensuring they receive the medical attention they need as they prepare for adoption.
Her fostering efforts took on a deeper meaning in the spring of 2023, when she lost her beloved senior cat to kidney disease.
“I wanted to honour his memory by helping other cats and kittens get well, grow and flourish in a home environment to better their chances of obtaining a forever home,” says Cathy.
Her love for animals began in childhood. Growing up, her home was always filled with the companionship of animals— dogs, cats, or both. That deep-rooted connection to animals has followed her into adulthood, reinforcing her belief that animals offer unconditional love and make the most loyal companions.
When asked if she would recommend volunteering for the Ontario SPCA, her answer was a resounding yes.
“Whether it be fostering animals in need, driving to medical appointments, walking dogs, assisting with fundraising efforts, or spending time with shelter animals to help with their socialization, there are many ways to help,” Cathy says.
Cathy’s journey is a reminder that compassion, consistency, and community spirit can change lives — not just for animals, but for the people who love them, too.
Thank you
We extend our deepest gratitude to all of the incredible volunteers at the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. Their unwavering dedication, compassion, and generosity makes a world of difference in the lives of animals in our care and in the communities we serve. Whether they’re walking dogs, cuddling cats, assisting with events, fostering animals, or lending their skills behind the scenes, their contributions do not go unnoticed. They are the heart of our organization, and we are truly thankful for the time, energy, and love they give to animals in need.
Interested in creating ripples of change in your community? Learn how to become a volunteer for the Ontario SPCA at ontariospca.ca/volunteer
If you came across orphaned or injured wildlife, would you know what to do? This is the time of year when you could come across a wild animal in distress, and we want to ensure you have all the information you need to help them.
Important note
Whenever young animals or birds are found, an attempt should be made to reunite them with their mother. Parents provide the best care for young wildlife. When young are inadvertently removed from their parents, it decreases the likelihood that they will survive, even with expert human care. Each wildlife species has its own specific needs and requires specialized care to recover.
Who can you call?
If you find wildlife that appears sick, injured or orphaned, don’t remove it from its natural habitat. Call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who can help you assess the situation and provide advice on what to do next.
Click here for the provincial list of authorized wildlife rehabilitators.
Some larger municipalities have animal control services that will respond to calls concerning wildlife. Contact your municipality to determine if there are animal control services in place, and what types of animal calls they have the capacity to handle.
In cases of suspected animal cruelty
In the province of Ontario, the government’s Provincial Animal Welfare Services agency investigates animal cruelty concerns. Animal welfare concerns can be reported by calling 1-833-9-ANIMAL ( (1-833-926-4625)You can also call your local police services. The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society does not have the legal authority to investigate animal cruelty concerns.
Visit ontario.ca to learn more about animal welfare concerns.
If this information was helpful, visit our blog to learn more about how to co-exist peacefully with wildlife.
Whitby, ON (April 24, 2025) – Are you prepared if your pet has a medical emergency? With Emergency Preparedness Month coming up in May, the Humane Society of Durham Region invites anyone who has a cat to join a feline first aid and CPR course.
On May 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Whitby, there will be a full-day feline first aid and CPR course, led by Hoof n Woof Pet First Aid. Participants will learn practical skills to handle emergencies, including:
• Basic care and prevention
• Abdominal thrusts for choking
• CPR/mouth-to-nose resuscitation
• Handling broken bones/tail injuries
• Recognizing feline leukemia symptoms
• Identifying bladder infections and pain
• Understanding diabetes in cats
• Cat-safe medications
A portion of the registration fee will be donated to the Humane Society of Durham Region to support shelter and care of animals in need. A registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Humane Society of Durham Region depends on the generosity of donors to change the lives of animals in need. To register, visit hsdr.org.
“Emergencies happen when you least expect them,” says Kayla Montes, Community Outreach Coordinator at the Humane Society of Durham Region. “This course empowers pet parents with the confidence to act quickly and keep their pets safe. Register now to secure your spot – it could save your pet’s life!”
To register or learn more, visit hsdr.org
Stay connected by following @HumaneSocietyOfDurhamRegion on Facebook and Instagram for news, events, adoptable animals and more.
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Media Contact
Kayla Montes
Community Outreach Coordinator
Humane Society of Durham Region
289-894-3404
[email protected]
The Humane Society of Durham Region is a registered charity. For over 30 years, the HSDR has been dedicated to protecting and providing compassionate care for unwanted and abused animals in Durham Region until they find their forever homes. Committed to improving the lives of animals, HSDR provides education and resources to the community.
In August 2022, the HSDR formally joined the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society to combine the organizations. This will enable the HSDR to strengthen and grow the programs and community support services it provides to help animals and the families who love them.
The Humane Society of Durham Region acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, which is covered under the Williams Treaties. The HSDR is situated on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.
In October 2024, an adorable eight-week-old kitten named Annie arrived at the Ontario SPCA Orillia Animal Centre. She was badly injured, likely from getting hit by a car, resulting in a fractured pelvis, femur and tibia, as well as a dislocated hip. Found outdoors near Atherley Bridge in Orillia, she was struggling to move, dragging herself along.g.
Fortunately, with the help of caring staff, she was placed on mandatory rest and provided with pain medication while waiting for her surgery, which depended on how well her hip healed.
Annie’s recovery
Annie, with her beautiful polydactyl paws, quickly captured hearts. Despite her injuries, Annie’s joyful spirit shone through. She was sweet, cuddly, and always eager to play, bringing warmth to everyone around her. Her “bubble,” a small mesh cube at her foster home, became her cozy spot to enjoy movie time on the couch.
“She was the most spunky, full of life little gal and despite being injured upon arrival, was trying to play,” says Krystal Abbott, Animal Care Coordinator at the Ontario SPCA Orillia Animal Centre. “She is a very tough little cookie.”
A major milestone came in December, when Annie underwent her femoral head ostectomy surgery (FHO) to help heal her injuries and restore pain-free mobility.
A loving home
Annie’s recovery was nothing short of remarkable. Over the next month, she gradually gained more freedom, learning to navigate her new joint and leg. She mastered the stairs with ease and formed wonderful friendships with all the other pets in her foster home, especially with Finn, the English Retriever. Soon enough, she was leaping, running, and playing to her heart’s content.
The joy continued as Annie found her forever home a month later. Now, she lives with her loving new family, where she enjoys good health and endless love.
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. To help create more second chances for animals like Annie, please consider donating today.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STOUFFVILLE, Ont. (April 23, 2025) – It’s kitten season and as Ontario SPCA and Humane Society staff and volunteers work tirelessly caring for litters of orphaned kittens, pregnant cats and feline families, Pet Valu has provided a $180,000* Companions for Change sponsorship to support the felines in the Ontario SPCA’s care. The sponsorship will renew the Cat Cabin Program, which helps cats and kittens settle during their stay in a shelter or foster home and eases their transition to their forever homes.
“The unfamiliar setting of a shelter or foster home is very stressful for cats and kittens and a cat cabin can make a real difference as it provides them with a calm, enriching place where they can perch, hide and mark their scent. Cat cabins play an essential role all year round and they are particularly helpful during kitten season when we are caring and finding homes for so many cats and kittens,” says Sonya Reichel, Vice President of Operations, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “Cat cabins make for happier and healthier cats and we’re very grateful for the ongoing support we receive from Pet Valu through its Companions for Change sponsorship.”
Made from sturdy cardboard, cat cabins provide a safe, comfortable place where cats and kittens can hide and play. Available in two fun themes – Cabin in the Meow-tains and Miami Beach – each cat cabin has two entrances, a flat perch and an enclosed cabin area. While kittens enjoy chasing each other through the entrances, cats and kittens alike enjoy perching securely off the floor or snuggling in the cozy cabin area. When a cat is adopted their cat cabin can be converted into a carrier to transport them safely to their forever home where the cabin can be re-assembled, providing a safe, familiar environment to help them settle.
“Pet Valu’s Companions for Change sponsorship program was created to provide impactful support for Canadian animal rescues and shelters doing vital work in communities across Canada. Through their unwavering dedication, the Ontario SPCA plays a critical role in caring for the enormous number of pets in need across the province,” says Tanbir Grover, Chief of Marketing and Digital Officer, at Pet Valu. “Following the success and impact of our initial sponsorship in Ontario SPCA’s Cat Cabin Program in 2022, we are delighted to renew and expand our support.”
Through the Companions for Change sponsorship, Pet Valu will help fund 5,000 cat cabins to be distributed to Ontario SPCA animal centres in Barrie, Whitby, Brockville, Napanee, Midland, Bracebridge, Orangeville, Orillia, Sudbury, Pembroke, Cornwall and Stouffville this year. Pet Valu will also provide its new Pet Parent Guide, which includes tips, checklists and up to $300 in savings for essentials to all devoted pet lovers who adopt a cat or small animal through an Ontario SPCA animal centre.
People who are interested in adopting a cat or a kitten should visit ontariospca.ca/adopt to view animals who are waiting for their forever homes.
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.
About Pet Valu
Pet Valu is Canada’s leading retailer of pet food and pet-related supplies with over 800 corporate-owned or franchised locations across the country. For more than 45 years, Pet Valu has earned the trust and loyalty of pet parents by offering knowledgeable customer service, an extensive product offering and engaging in-store services. Through its local neighbourhood stores and digital platform, Pet Valu offers more than 10,000 competitively-priced products, including a broad assortment of exclusive, holistic and award-winning proprietary brands. The Company is headquartered in Markham, Ontario, and has distribution centres in Brampton, Ontario, Surrey, British Columbia and Calgary, Alberta. Its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: PET). To learn more, please visit: www.petvalu.ca.
*Pet Valu provides this amount in 3 equal annual installments over the full term of the agreement, 3 years.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Katherine Clark
416-453-3288
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Petawawa, ON (April 22, 2025) – The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society hosted a spay/neuter and wellness clinic in Petawawa from April 15-17 to help manage pet populations and reach underserved communities.
A total of 101 spay and neuter surgeries were performed on cats and dogs during the three-day event, which was held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 517 in Petawawa, preventing more than an estimated 5,400 potentially unwanted puppies and kittens. In addition, 127 vaccines were administered during the three-day event.
The Ontario SPCA’s MASH-style spay/neuter clinics are portable outreach events designed to reach underserved communities. They can be easily packed up and transported to wherever they are needed, including remote communities where road access is limited. In addition to providing spay/neuter surgeries on site, they also deliver basic veterinary services to animals who may not otherwise have had preventative care, including critical vaccines.
“We are committed to making essential veterinary services more accessible to prevent pet overpopulation and keep animals with the families who love them,” says Heather Jobe, Community Outreach Coordinator, Ontario SPCA Renfrew County Animal Centre. “Thank you to everyone who came together, including our incredibly dedicated volunteers, to make this spay/neuter clinic so impactful for animals in need in our community.”
Later this month, the Ontario SPCA will be hosting its first Neuter Scooter event of the year in Renfrew County. The Neuter Scooter transports animals to partnering high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics for surgery. It will depart Pembroke on April 30 and take pre-booked cats to a spay/neuter clinic in Southeastern Ontario before returning them to their families later that day. The initiative was first piloted by the Ontario SPCA last year to reduce barriers to access spay/neuter services.
To learn more about the Ontario SPCA’s community support services, visit ontariospca.ca/communitysupport
Follow the Renfrew County Animal Centre on Facebook and Instagram for updates and upcoming events.
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Media Contact
Heather Jobe
Ontario SPCA Renfrew County Animal Centre
(613) 602-0760
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 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.
The Ontario SPCA Renfrew County Animal Centre is situated on the traditional, unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin people. We also recognize the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis & Inuit peoples.
Today is Earth Day, and we thought it would be a great opportunity to share some tips and tricks to be a green parent to your fur baby. Let’s work together to create healthier communities for animals and people!
Shop smart
Consider purchasing biodegradable doggie bags over the plastic ones, buying kitty litter made out of plant-based materials like wheat or wood chips, and looking for companion animal products and toys made from recycled plastics and natural materials. Be sure to still offer cats options that they like. If they don’t like wheat or wood chips, it may stress them out if they are forced to use it, which can lead to some inappropriate house soiling.
Clean green
Try using natural cleaners, such as vinegar as a surface cleaner and baking soda to absorb odour, instead of harsh chemical cleaners to clean up messes. Make sure to rinse with clean water any surface that your furry friend may lick.
Bathe with the Earth in mind
There are lots of eco-friendly options for animal shampoos and cleaning products to get your furry friend clean. Look out for tea tree oil on the ingredient list, since it can be toxic to companion animals. When in doubt about which products to use, speak with your veterinarian.
Also, be aware that some animals, like cats, clean themselves by licking. Make sure to rinse shampoos off thoroughly to avoid these products being swallowed.
Use less packaging
Buying pet products in bulk not only reduces the amount of discarded packaging, but it also helps you keep some green in your bank account. You can also look for supply companies who use sustainable packaging for their products.
Leave the car at home
If you tend to drive to a different area to take your dog for a walk, try to make use of nearby parks and trails instead.
Adopt from your local animal centre
If you’re looking to add a furry friend to your family with a new companion animal, consider adopting from your local animal centre. You’ll be giving a grateful animal a loving home and doing your part to make sure these animal centre resources can help more furry friends in need!
We hope you have a Happy Earth Day with your household!
As animal parents, we do everything we can to keep our furry companions safe, but one often-overlooked danger lurks right in our own homes—food packaging. Many of us are unaware that items like chip bags, cereal bags, and other food packaging pose a serious suffocation risk to dogs and cats.
How does suffocation happen?
Animals are naturally drawn to the scent of food. When they stick their head inside a snack bag, their breath creates a vacuum, making it nearly impossible to remove the bag on their own. Within minutes, they can lose consciousness due to a lack of oxygen. This silent and sudden danger has claimed the lives of many beloved animals, but awareness and prevention can save lives.
Common household dangers
Many everyday food packages can become suffocation hazards, including:
- Chip and snack bags
- Cereal and bread bags
- Pet food bags
- Plastic containers with tight lids
- Yogurt cups and other small plastic containers
Steps to prevent suffocation
Fortunately, simple changes can make a big difference in preventing these tragedies. Here’s how you can help keep your furry friends safe:
- Store food bags securely: Keep snack bags and food packaging out of reach, such as in sealed cabinets or containers.
- Cut up or dispose of bags properly: Before discarding snack bags, cut them open to eliminate the risk of suffocation.
- Be mindful: When eating snacks, never leave food packaging unattended.
- Spread the word: Share this information with friends and family to help prevent animal suffocation.
What to do in an emergency
If you find an animal struggling with a bag over its head, act quickly:
- Remove the bag immediately.
- If the animal is unresponsive, perform CPR if you are trained.
- Seek emergency veterinary care right away.
By staying informed and taking preventive measures, we can work together to keep the animals safe from this silent but deadly threat. Let’s spread awareness and help protect our beloved companions!
If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation. 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.
When you’re excited about a holiday like Easter, it can be easy to overlook potential dangers for our furry friends. This is why the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Centre (APCC) put together this list of potential hazards so you can be prepared!
Top four aster hazards for pets
- Chocolate. According to the ASPCA, most of the calls they receive about animals ingesting chocolate happen around holidays, like Halloween, Christmas and Easter. The dangers of chocolate include gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis, stimulation to the nervous system (hyperactivity, tremors and seizures) and elevation in heart rate. Other ingredients the ASPCA suggests to keep out of your animal’s reach include raisins, macadamia nuts, xylitol and alcohol.
- Plastic Easter grass. Animals aren’t able to absorb plastic Easter grass, so when consumed, the material can lodge in their gastrointestinal tract and cause serious problems. Signs for concern include vomiting, diarrhea, decrease in appetite, lethargy, and stomach pain.
- Plants. There are several plants that can be harmful to your furry friend, but during Easter the main ones to look out for are Lilies and bulbs in bloom in spring. Exposure can result in kidney injury and gastrointestinal upset. See our fact sheet Poisonous Plants and Flowers to learn more.
- Fertilizers and herbicides. Spring is high time to start gardening and yard work! If you use fertilizers or herbicides, keep animals indoors when applying the products and wait until the ground is dry to let your furry friend out again.
With these safety tips in mind, have a happy Easter!
If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation. As a registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Ontario SPCA depends on the generosity of donors to change the lives of animals in need.
Dr. Joey Tang, DVM
What is feline Panleukopenia?
Feline panleukopenia is a contagious, and potentially life-threatening viral infection in cats caused by the Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV). This virus is transmitted between cats via bodily fluid, including feces, urine, saliva, and nasal discharge. However, it can also be carried to other cats via inorganic vectors (such as clothing, bedding, etc.). Although it is extremely infectious between cats, this virus is limited to cats only and cannot infect other species, such as humans and dogs.
Once the virus enters a cat’s body, it typically targets the bone marrow and the GI system of the animal. When the virus infects the bone marrow, it affects the production of the white blood cells (immune cells of the body), leading to a decrease in the total number of white blood cells within the body. Due to this, the body’s immune system is weakened and becomes more susceptible to other infections. In the GI system, the virus causes destruction to the inner lining of the GI tract, typically leading to diarrhea.
Which cats are at risk?
The Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) is quite common in our environment and therefore most cats are exposed to the virus to some extent during their lifespan. However, because of the existence of a highly effective vaccine, infection and clinical disease tend to be limited to unvaccinated cats (especially kittens), barn/feral cats, and occasionally shelters.
Symptoms of Panleukopenia
The most common clinical signs associated with Feline Panleukopenia are:
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Potential for fever and vomiting to develop
If a pregnant mother cat becomes infected with FPV during pregnancy, it is possible for the virus to infect the fetuses and cause cerebellar hypoplasia. These kittens will be born with underdeveloped cerebellums, which then lead to tremoring during purposeful movement. Kittens with cerebellar hypoplasia are considered to have a good quality of life; however, they will have abnormal/wobbly gaits for the rest of their lives.
Treatment of Panleukopenia
Unfortunately, there is no current cure or direct treatment for this viral disease. Therefore, treatment is aimed towards supportive care and treatment of secondary infections. This typically includes antibiotics for potential secondary bacterial infections, fluid therapy to aid with dehydration, and potentially other medications to help with the clinical signs.
A cat that has undergone treatment and recovered can still potentially shed the virus for up to another six weeks.
Prevention
Although there isn’t a treatment for this virus, there is a very effective vaccine available. This vaccination is considered as a core vaccine for every cat and is typically recommended during kittenhood, every three to four weeks from six weeks old to about 16 weeks, and throughout adult life.
If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation. As a registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Ontario SPCA depends on the generosity of donors to change the lives of animals in need.
To help support pet families in times of need, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society offers a variety of Community Support Services, including its Pawsitive Packs initiative designed to provide essential supplies to families with animals who are facing financial hardship or housing insecurity.
Essential pet items fill packs
To date, we’ve distributed over 100 Pawsitive Packs in York Region, providing essential pet care supplies to people who need extra support caring for their furry family members. These backpacks are filled with items like collars, leashes, portable bowls, toys, treats, and dog coats and are distributed through local food banks and social service agencies.
Thanks to incredible support from donors and community partners, we’ve also expanded this initiative into Orillia and Cornwall, reaching even more families in need. Close to 50 packs have been distributed in those communities.
A helping hand for our community
The goal of Pawsitive Packs is to support families and prevent unnecessary rehoming of their beloved furry friends. Many recipients are unhoused or at risk of losing their homes, and the packs help ensure their animals remain safe and cared for. Local social services agencies identify community members who could benefit from these packs and distribute the supplies to them.This initiative has made a profound emotional impact, with recipients expressing sincere gratitude for the help in keeping their pets safe and warm.
“I was in desperate need of a leash and other things for my dog,” shares one recipient, who received one of the packs through the Lighthouse in Orillia. “The Pawsitive Packs really made a great difference in our day, and keeping Jack safe and warm.”
Keeping pets with the people who love them
This program is part of a larger effort by the Ontario SPCA to provide resources that keep animals with their families. In addition to the packs, we distributed over 367,000 lbs of pet food to food banks in 2024, which equates to more than a million meals for animals in need.
Providing accessible veterinary care is another way we keep families and their beloved furry friends together. We offer basic veterinary services at our clinics in Stouffville and Barrie for families without the means to take their animal to a local veterinarian for routine care. These services include physical examinations, vaccinations, and microchipping. Animals requiring additional care are referred to local veterinarians for treatment.
Pet-friendly warming centres
In partnership with the County of Simcoe, the Ontario SPCA is providing additional support to help vulnerable residents and their pets stay warm during the winter.
Thanks to a generous donation from the Ontario SPCA Barrie Animal Centre, individuals experiencing homelessness can now bring their pets to the Barrie East warming centre and the Wasaga Beach warming centre. This expanded collaboration between the County and the Ontario SPCA ensures that unhoused individuals and their pets can have greater access to safe, warm shelter during the winter months, allowing them to stay together.
A unique partnership in Durham Region
The Humane Society of Durham Region is working together with the Christian Faith Outreach Centre (CFOC) to expand its sheltering efforts to accommodate animal companions.
The demographics of homelessness in Durham have shifted to include more families, couples, and people with pets. To address this, CFOC has opened dog-friendly shelters in Whitby and Ajax, providing a safe place for individuals to stay with their pets. This ensures they don’t have to choose between shelter and rehoming their animals. The Ontario SPCA supports this effort by supplying pet food, collars, jackets, and kennels to help keep both people and their pets safe and comfortable.
Get involved
Your donations can help ensure that animals in need receive the support they deserve. You can donate supplies or funds directly to the Pawsitive Packs initiative by donating online at ontariospca.ca/donate
Together, we can help keep pets with the families who love them. For more information, visit ontariospca.ca/communitysupport
