Page 6 – Ontario SPCA

What an exciting time! Adopting a new friend can be a big responsibility, and we want to help ensure each animal is set up for success in their new home. We encourage you to keep the following tips in mind when you bring home your new cat or kitten.

Kitty-proof your home: Remove any toxic plants and hide any electrical cords that the cat might have access to.
Create a safe place:
- Set up your cat’s litter box, bowls (ideally at least 3 ft. from the litter), scratching post and toys in a quiet, safe place for the first week or two and allow them to come out at their own pace.
- Place your cat into the litter box in any new location so they know where it is.
- Cats may feel nervous/stressed when in a new environment. Offer vertical space where they can climb/jump and places to hide that are still accessible to you.
- Familiar scents can help with the stress of moving to a new home. Have a towel/blanket that was given to you from the animal centre close by the cat in this space. The use of pheromones can also help ease stress levels.
- When a cat is adopted, their “cat cabin” from the animal centre transforms into a temporary carrier that the cat can travel home in. Once home, adopters are encouraged to reassemble the cabin, as it has the cat’s scent on it and helps ease their transition into their new home by offering a familiar place to perch, sleep, hide and rub.
We recommend keeping cats indoors. If your cat is curious about the outdoors or you want to give the cats access to a safe outdoor area, consider installing a fenced-in enclosure or allowing supervised access to your yard on a harness and leash.

Disease Testing

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a virus that is transmitted between cats. There is a test for this virus. If you have a multi-cat household, testing prior to introducing your new cat should be discussed with your veterinarian. You should also ask your veterinarian about vaccination for FeLV. This is not something your new cat has received yet and, based on lifestyle and age, may be recommended by your veterinarian. More information on FeLV.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is also transmitted between cats. The main differences between these two viruses are that FIV is less contagious, and many cats with FIV go on to live normal lives. Like FeLV, testing should be considered prior to introducing your new cat to a multi-cat household. Currently, vaccination for FIV is not recommended. More information on FIV.

Internal and External Parasites
Your new furry friend has received routine deworming and flea prevention prior to adoption, but further doses may be required. Fecal (poop sample) testing is recommended since some parasites can be zoonotic, which means humans can be infected. Talk to your veterinarian about future testing and prevention. We also recommend that other family pets be tested and treated for internal and external parasites prior to bringing your new furry friend home. For more information, please visit canadianveterinarians.net and avma.org

Veterinary Visits After Adoption

A check-in with your family veterinarian within the first week after adoption is critical to ensure continuity of care for your new friend, and to create a preventative health care plan tailored to their specific needs and to your lifestyle. The goal is to prevent future disease and illness, which will ideally also help reduce future costs of care.

Preventative care includes important measures such as a physical exam, oral health care, dietary recommendations, behavioural support, vaccinations and parasite prevention. Any known medical or behavioural concerns will be disclosed prior to adoption, but there can be no guarantees of health. Therefore, this vet check will also be important to address any ongoing needs or pre-existing concerns to ensure that your new furry family member has the specific support required to thrive. A copy of your new furry friend’s medical history can be shared with your veterinarian.

Vaccines play a vital role in protecting your new cat or kitten from diseases, as well as keeping other furry and human family members safe.

Vaccines

Core vaccines for cats include FVRCP (feline herpes virus, calicivirus & panleukopenia) and rabies. Rabies vaccination is a legal requirement. All cats adopted from the Ontario SPCA have received their rabies vaccination, provided they are old enough to receive it at the time of adoption. If they are too young to receive their rabies vaccination while in our care, this will need to be done through your family veterinarian. Your vet may recommend additional vaccines based on your cat or kitten’s lifestyle.
Kittens are very susceptible and require more frequent booster vaccinations until they are approximately 18 weeks old. Vaccines must be boostered over the course of your cat’s life (not just during kittenhood) to ensure adequate protection.
Other furry family members should be up to date on their vaccinations prior to bringing a new furry friend home.
A vaccine schedule has been started for your new cat or kitten. Note that it may not be complete by the time of adoption, and follow-up with your family veterinarian is required to ensure adequate protection is achieved. For more information, visit catvets.com and canadianveterinarians.net

Healing After Surgery

Your new furry friend may have had surgery prior to adoption. In addition to following any specific post-op instructions given to you, it will be important to note the following:

Give any post-op medication as prescribed.
Utilize an e-collar (cone) or a onesie to help protect their incision site, as prescribed.
Monitor the incision site daily for swelling, discharge and/or holes in the incision line.
Keep your cat or kitten calm, and restrict their exercise (i.e., no jumping on/off surfaces, climbing stairs or going outside).
Watch them closely to ensure they are comfortable, eating and drinking well, and using their litter box without issue.

If your cat or kitten is not eating well, is quiet or lethargic, not using their litter box, and/or if you see any concerns with their incision site, please contact your family veterinarian for support.

More info

Cat-to-Cat Introductions

If introductions are done slowly and properly, this could potentially head off any future problematic behaviours. It can sometimes take cats months to adjust to a new friend, so you may need to be patient!

It is important to give the new cat a separate space/safe haven, set up with all the necessities to adjust on his/her own.
Allow the cats to smell and hear one another at first, but not see or touch.
Gradually increase access to one another by sight and eventually allow supervised interactions if they remain positive. A baby gate could act as a helpful tool to allow a visual interaction, but still be kept apart from one another.
Continue to separate the cats at night during the initial days.
If you are bringing a new cat into a multi-cat household, introduce them individually.

Cat-to-Dog Introductions

With time, many cats and dogs can learn to coexist peacefully and may even become friends!

Have two people on hand; one to handle the dog and the other to monitor the cat’s behaviour.
Ensure your dog is on leash in the cat’s presence and that the cat has a safe place to retreat, if needed.
Take the dog outside for a walk or play prior to greeting to reduce energy levels.
Have high-value treats for both the dog and cat to reward good behaviour.
Monitor both the cat and dog for emotional distress at all times. Watch your dog for signs of elevated prey drive (hunting-related behaviours) to ensure the safety of your new cat.

Read blog

We are here to support you! For any pre-adoption questions or concerns, contact our adoption staff at your local Ontario SPCA and Humane Society animal centre.

Animal centre locations

What an exciting time! Adopting a new friend can be a big responsibility and we want to make sure each animal is set up for success in their new home. We encourage you to keep the following tips in mind when you bring home your new dog or puppy.

Set up a well-ventilated crate or a separate doggie-proofed room for your new dog or puppy. It’s one of the easiest ways to help them successfully transition into your home. Make this a positive space, not a form of punishment. The goal is to provide a quiet retreat and/or to help with housetraining. Remember, the dog must be allowed appropriate breaks (every few hours) for feeding and potty breaks, as well as lots of time spent out of the crate or room for walks, training and playtime.
Don’t give them unsupervised free run of the house until you are certain they are reliably housetrained and not destructive. Take them out for a potty break at regular intervals and offer lots of praise. More details on housetraining can be found here.
It is highly recommended to have a fenced yard to keep your dog safe, but if that’s not possible, a tether or zip line can work as well. It is important for the safety of the dog that it isn’t left unsupervised while out on these devices.
Be positive and consistent in your training. Dogs thrive on routine, which can help reduce anxiety.

Disease Testing

Heartworm & Tick-Borne Illness

Mosquitoes and ticks can transmit diseases to dogs. There is a blood test to screen for exposure to heartworm and tick-borne illness. This is not something your dog has received yet and, based on lifestyle and age, may be recommended by your veterinarian. Heartworm disease can have devastating effects, and heartworm testing and prevention are recommended for dogs between June 1 – November 1 in Ontario. It is recommended that you follow up with your family veterinarian about testing and preventatives for your new furry friend moving forward. For more information on heartworm, please visit canadianveterinarians.net

For more information on ticks and how they can affect your new furry friend, please visit: ticktalkcanada.com

Internal and External Parasites

Your new furry friend has received routine deworming and external parasite prevention prior to adoption, but further doses may be required. Fecal (poop sample) testing is recommended since some parasites can be zoonotic, which means humans can be infected. Please follow up with your family veterinarian for testing and treatment moving forward. We also recommend that other family pets be tested and treated for internal and external parasites prior to bringing your new furry friend home. For more information, please visit canadianveterinarians.net and avma.org

Veterinary Visits After Adoption

A check-in with your family vet within the first week after adoption is critical to ensure continuity of care for your new friend, and to create a preventative health care plan tailored to their specific needs and to your lifestyle. The goal is to prevent future disease and illness, which will ideally also help reduce future costs of care.

Preventative care includes important measures, such as a physical exam, oral health care, dietary recommendations, behavioural support, vaccinations and parasite prevention. Any known medical or behavioural concerns will be disclosed prior to adoption, but there can be no guarantees of health. Therefore, this vet check will also be important to address any ongoing needs or pre-existing concerns to ensure your new furry family member has the specific support required to thrive. A copy of your new furry friend’s medical history can be shared with your family vet.

Vaccines

Vaccines play a vital role in protecting your new dog or puppy from diseases that can be devastating to their health, as well as keeping other furry and human family members safe.

Core vaccines for dogs include DA2PP (distemper, adenovirus [hepatitis], parainfluenza, parvovirus) and rabies. Rabies vaccination is a legal requirement. All dogs adopted from the Ontario SPCA have received their rabies vaccination, provided they are old enough to receive it at the time of adoption. If they are too young to receive their rabies vaccination while in our care, this will need to be done through your family veterinarian. Your vet may recommend additional vaccines based on your dog or puppy’s lifestyle.
Puppies are very susceptible and require more frequent booster vaccinations until they are approximately 18 weeks old. Vaccines must be boostered over the course of your dog’s life (not just during puppyhood) to ensure adequate protection.
Other family pets should be up to date on their vaccinations prior to bringing a new furry friend home.
A vaccine schedule has been started for your new dog or puppy. Note that it may not be complete by the time of adoption, and follow-up with your family veterinarian is required to ensure adequate protection is achieved. For more information, visit canadianveterinarians.net

Healing After Surgery

Your new furry friend may have just had surgery prior to adoption. In addition to following any specific post-op instructions given to you, it will be important to note the following:

Give any post-op medication as prescribed.
Utilize an e-collar (cone) or a onesie to help protect their incision site, as prescribed.
Monitor the incision site daily for swelling, discharge and/or holes in the incision line.
Keep your dog or puppy calm, and restrict their exercise (i.e., leash walks, no jumping, or climbing stairs).
Watch them closely to ensure they are comfortable, eating and drinking well and urinating/defecating without issue.

If your dog or puppy is not eating well, is quiet or lethargic, not urinating/defecating, and/or if you see any concerns with their incision site, please contact your family veterinarian for support. Click here for more information.

Dog-to-Dog Introductions

Dogs can safely be introduced to one another with some positive encouragement and body language awareness.

Recruit a second person, one to handle each dog, and have lots of high-value treats available to reward good behaviour!
Take the dogs on a walk together in a neutral setting (for example, a park or open field), keeping a safe distance between the two, and on loose leashes.
If there is no distress noted in either dog, the distance between them can be gradually decreased.
Once at home, allow the new dog to enter first to explore and then keep dog-to-dog interactions short, pleasant and supervised until you are confident they are at ease with one another.

Read blog

Cat-to-Dog Introductions

With time, many cats and dogs can learn to coexist peacefully and may even become friends!

Have two people on hand; one to handle the dog and the other to monitor the cat’s behaviour.
Ensure your dog is on leash in the cat’s presence and that the cat has a safe place to retreat, if needed.
Take the dog outside for a walk or play prior to greeting to reduce energy levels.
Have high-value treats for both the dog and cat to reward good behaviour.
Monitor both the cat and dog for emotional distress at all times. Watch your dog for signs of elevated prey drive (hunting-related behaviours) to ensure the safety of your new cat.

Read blog

We are here to support you! For any pre-adoption questions or concerns, contact our adoption staff at your local Ontario SPCA and Humane Society animal centre.

Animal centre locations

What an exciting time! Adopting a new friend can be a big responsibility and we want to help ensure each animal is set up for success in their new home. We encourage you to keep the following tips in mind when you bring home your new rabbit.

Veterinary Visits After Adoption

A check-in with your family veterinarian within the first week after adoption is critical to ensure continuity of care for your new friend, and to create a preventative health care plan tailored to their specific needs and to your lifestyle. The goal is to prevent future disease and illness, which will ideally also help reduce future costs of care.

Preventative care includes important measures such as a physical exam, oral health care, dietary recommendations, behavioural support and parasite prevention. Any known medical or behavioural concerns will be disclosed prior to adoption, but there can be no guarantees of health. Therefore, this veterinary check will also be important to address any ongoing needs or pre-existing concerns to ensure that your new family member has the specific support required to thrive. A copy of your new rabbit friend’s medical history can be shared with your veterinarian.

Medical Considerations

Regular veterinary visits are recommended to prevent illness and to keep your new rabbit as comfortable as possible. Because many veterinarians do not treat rabbits, it is highly recommended to find a suitable veterinarian before care is needed.
As a hind-gut fermenting species, the health of the “good” gut bacteria is directly related to the rabbit’s health. Any digestive disturbances can be catastrophic for rabbits and must be addressed by your family veterinarian.
Your rabbit’s teeth will grow continuously throughout their life. To help wear down their ever-growing front teeth, provide your rabbits with chewing items such as cardboard and wooden toys. Regular visits to your family veterinarian are important to identify if the teeth need to be trimmed.
Your rabbit’s nails will need to be trimmed regularly.

Healing After Surgery

Your new furry friend may have had surgery prior to adoption. In addition to following any specific post-op instructions given to you, it will be important to note the following:

Give any post-op medication as prescribed.
Utilize an e-collar (cone) or a onesie to help protect their incision site, as prescribed.
Monitor the incision site daily for swelling, discharge and/or holes in the incision line.
Keep your rabbit calm, and restrict their exercise (i.e., no jumping on/off surfaces, climbing stairs or going outside).
Watch them closely to ensure they are comfortable, eating and drinking well, and using their toileting area without issue.

If your rabbit is not eating well, is quiet or lethargic and/or if you see any concerns with their incision site, please contact your family veterinarian for support.

Housing

When selecting a cage for a rabbit, bigger is always best. This will allow your rabbit to express natural behaviours, which will decrease stress. Your rabbit should have access to an exercise pen daily, where they can stretch and jump around with more space. They should not be limited to just their cage.

Enclosures should have solid bottoms. They can be covered to prevent foot injuries with shredded newspaper, grass hay, aspen or hardwood shavings. Avoid using wood shavings made from pine or cedar, as they can be very irritating to the respiratory system. A hiding place must be provided for your rabbit when they need some quiet time. Enclosures should remain off the floor to decrease stress.

Nutrition

When you feed your rabbit, a proper diet is essential to keep them healthy. Rabbits are herbivores and require a high-fibre diet to ensure good gastrointestinal health. The majority of a rabbit’s diet should consist of unlimited, high-quality Timothy hay, which should always be available. A smaller amount of fresh vegetables and a limited amount of pellets should be offered with the occasional treat.

Always check with your family veterinarian before introducing any new foods to your rabbit.

Rabbits generally prefer heavy ceramic water bowls to drink out of, but some like sipper bottles too. Experiment to see which your rabbit prefers. For more information on diet, click here.

Coprophagy, or the eating of feces, is not cause for alarm. This is normal for most rodents and serves to help preserve valuable nutrients, as some are better digested during the second pass through the gut.

Enrichment

Your rabbit enjoys activities that allow them to express their natural behaviours, such as hiding, climbing, constructing and chewing. Enrichment is very important to help keep your rabbit happy and behaviourally healthy.

Rabbits need at least an hour out of their cage every day. Your rabbit may enjoy a walk indoors with a harness or hop around a pen, but don’t let the rabbit roam your home unsupervised – rabbits love to chew! Some chew toys can be included in their pen, but keep them away from anything they shouldn’t gnaw on, such as electrical cords, furniture, and houseplants. List of toxic plants.

Rabbits are quite social and need quality interaction every day. This can be interactive play, grooming, or a safe opportunity to associate with other pets. Rabbits generally do not like to be picked up off the ground. Instead, interaction with them on the floor will be safer and more comfortable.

Resources

Refer to these rabbit resources for more info:

We are here to support you! For any pre-adoption questions or concerns, contact our adoption staff at your local Ontario SPCA and Humane Society animal centre.

Animal centre locations

Veterinary Visits After Adoption

Preventative care includes important measures such as a physical exam, oral health care, dietary recommendations, behavioural support and parasite prevention. Any known medical or behavioural concerns will be disclosed prior to adoption, but there can be no guarantees of health. Therefore, this veterinary check will also be important to address any ongoing needs or pre-existing concerns to ensure your new family member has the specific support required to thrive. A copy of your new guinea pig friend’s medical history can be shared with your veterinarian.

Medical Considerations

Regular veterinary visits are recommended to prevent illness and to keep your new guinea pig as comfortable as possible. Because many veterinarians do not treat guinea pigs, it is highly recommended to find a suitable veterinarian before care is needed.
The Ontario SPCA does not spay or neuter guinea pigs due to the relatively high risk of mortality during surgery. Surgery can successfully be performed, but it is best done through a veterinarian who has guinea pig surgical experience.
Your guinea pig requires vitamin C in their diet to prevent scurvy, which can cause issues like anemia and/or pain or swelling in the limbs/body. However, most high-quality guinea pig diets are fortified with vitamin C.
As a rodent, your guinea pig’s teeth will grow continuously throughout their life. To help wear down their ever-growing front teeth, provide your guinea pigs with chewing items such as cardboard and wooden toys.
Your guinea pig’s nails will need to be trimmed regularly.

Housing

When selecting a cage for a guinea pig, bigger is always best. This will allow your guinea pig to express natural behaviours, which will decrease stress.

Your guinea pig friend is highly social and typically will enjoy human interaction. Because they are social, another guinea pig companion would be beneficial. Having another guinea pig of the same sex is strongly encouraged. In general, females tend to get along well. Males can sometimes find it more difficult to bond with each other, but it is possible.

Wire flooring must be avoided. Enclosures should have solid bottoms. They can be covered with shredded newspaper, grass hay, aspen or hardwood shavings to prevent foot injuries. Avoid using wood shavings made from pine or cedar, as these can be irritating to their respiratory systems. Guinea pigs will usually choose one area as the toilet area. Once they have selected this area, don’t put food, water or toys in the space.

As guinea pigs are startled easily, a hiding place must be provided. They should have access to a hiding place at all times for when they need some quiet time.

Enclosures should remain off the floor to decrease stress.

Nutrition

Like rabbits, the majority of a guinea pig’s diet is Timothy hay, which should always be available. Pelleted diets made specifically for guinea pigs, vegetables, and small amounts of fruit account for the rest of a guinea pig’s dietary needs. Guinea pigs are unable to create vitamin C on their own, so this needs to come from their diet. Quality guinea pig pellets are fortified with vitamin C, but it degrades quickly. As a result, in general, pellets should be used within 3 months of manufacture. Vitamin C supplements are available, but it is generally recommended to provide vegetables with high levels of vitamin C to meet your guinea pig’s needs.

Failure to provide sufficient vitamin C can lead to a variety of problematic conditions, including scurvy. This can potentially occur within days of inadequate intake, so the quality and freshness of their diet are of paramount importance.

Enrichment

Your guinea pig enjoys activities that allow them to express their natural behaviours, such as hiding, climbing, constructing and chewing. Enrichment is very important to help keep your guinea pig happy and healthy. For enrichment ideas, click here.

Resources

Refer to these guinea pig resources for more info!

We are here to support you! For any pre-adoption questions or concerns, contact our adoption staff at your local Ontario SPCA and Humane Society animal centre.

Animal centre locations

Veterinary Visits After Adoption

Preventative care includes important measures such as a physical exam, oral health care, dietary recommendations, behavioural support and parasite prevention. Any known medical or behavioural concerns will be disclosed prior to adoption, but there can be no guarantees of health. Therefore, this veterinary check will also be important to address any ongoing needs or pre-existing concerns to ensure that your new family member has the specific support required to thrive. A copy of your new rat friend’s medical history can be shared with your veterinarian.

Medical Considerations

Regular veterinary visits are recommended to prevent illness and to keep your new rat as comfortable as possible. Because many veterinarians do not treat rats, it is highly recommended to find a suitable veterinarian before care is needed.
The Ontario SPCA does not spay or neuter rats due to the relatively high risk of mortality during surgery. Surgery can successfully be performed, but it is best done through a veterinarian who has rat surgical experience.
As a rodent, a rat’s teeth will grow continuously throughout their life. To help wear down their ever-growing front teeth, provide your rats with chewing items such as cardboard and wooden toys. There may be cases where the teeth need to be filed down periodically by a veterinarian.
Rats can be susceptible to respiratory problems. Proper husbandry with adequate temperature, humidity, and ventilation is key to keeping your rat healthy.
Your rat’s nails will need to be trimmed regularly.

Housing

When selecting a cage for a rat, bigger is always best. Multi-level cages are preferred as they allow your rat to express natural behaviours, such as climbing, stretching, digging and exploring.

The best location for the cage is inside, away from drafts, direct sunlight, and extreme temperatures, and off the floor to decrease stress.
Your rat’s enclosure should have a solid bottom floor. The cage should be lined with bedding, but do not use cedar or pine chips as they contain oils dangerous to rats. Rats also need bedding in their cage. A variety of commercial rodent bedding options are available, which rats will use to make resting nests, burrow within, snuggle, and re-arrange throughout their cage.
Rats need somewhere to hide where they can relax without being seen. And since rats are naturally nocturnal, they benefit from a darker area to sleep or nap during the day. Suitable hiding areas can be a cardboard box, a PVC tube, wooden houses, etc.
Your rat friend needs time outside of his or her cage daily, but be sure to rat-proof the area and supervise to keep your rat safe.
Your rat friend is highly social and typically will enjoy human interaction outside of their cage. Because they are social, another rat companion would be beneficial. Female rats tend to get along better than males, unless the males were raised together or introduced early in life. Male rats that don’t know each other are likely to fight when introduced, so either female-female or neutered male-female pairings are best.

For more housing information, click here.

Nutrition

Rats are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal matter. Quality commercial pet rat pellets should make up the vast majority of their diet. Seed and grain mixtures should be avoided, as they allow rats to pick and choose what they like to eat, potentially leading to obesity and nutrient deficiencies.

Rats are prone to obesity and tend to hide their food in their cage. As such, it is best to have pellets constantly available. Although your rat friend enjoys fresh vegetables and fruit, they should only be given occasionally as a healthy treat

Rats must have access to water 24/7. This can be done by using a sipper bottle attached to the side of their cage, or a ceramic water bowl. Both should be used until you know what your rat’s preference is.

As much as 10% of a rat’s fecal output may be re-ingested. While this may seem like abnormal behaviour or a sign of a medical issue, it is quite normal and common.

Enrichment

Your rat enjoys activities that allow them to express their natural behaviours, such as hiding, climbing, constructing and chewing. Enrichment is very important to help keep your rat happy and healthy. For enrichment ideas, click here.

Resources

Refer to this rat resource for more info:

lafeber.com

We are here to support you! For any pre-adoption questions or concerns, contact our adoption staff at your local Ontario SPCA and Humane Society animal centre.

Animal centre locations

Veterinary Visits After Adoption

A check-in with your family veterinarian within the first week after adoption is critical to ensure continuity of care for your new friend and to create a preventive healthcare plan tailored to their specific needs and your lifestyle. The goal is to prevent future disease and illness, which will ideally also help reduce future costs of care. Avian veterinarians specialize in bird care; it may require more research to find a veterinary hospital that will examine your bird.

Preventative care includes important measures, such as a physical exam, oral health care, dietary recommendations, behavioural support and parasite prevention. Any known medical or behavioural concerns will be disclosed prior to adoption, but there can be no guarantees of health. Therefore, this veterinary check will also be important to address any ongoing needs or pre-existing concerns to ensure your new family member has the specific support required to thrive. A copy of your new avian friend’s medical history can be shared with your veterinarian.

Medical Considerations

Birds can live a significant length of time, potentially many decades, and it will be a long-term commitment.
Many birds need to have their nails trimmed regularly. This can be done at home or a veterinary clinic.
Some birds need their beaks trimmed. Providing a cuttlebone for the bird to use often provides enough opportunity to wear down the beak.
In part, due to birds’ sensitive respiratory systems, they are susceptible to the toxic effects of fumes, scents, and vapours from many types of heated non-stick pans.
Candles, smoke, and scent diffusers are also problematic for birds. It is always recommended for birds to be in areas with good air exchange.

Housing

The housing size for birds should be as large as you can accommodate. There must be enough space for your bird to stretch their wings out fully and to fly short distances. Different bird species require different types of cages – parakeets and cockatiels like height, while finches and canaries prefer width. To make your bird feel safe, keep the cage off the floor at all times. Cages should have a variety of perches. Companion bird species generally don’t have much padding on the bottoms of their feet, so perch selection is important for both their comfort and health. Perches that have various widths allow birds to exercise and stretch their feet, which promotes good health.

Birds can benefit from supervised time out of their cage in a safe environment. To keep your bird safe, ensure the environment is free from items that are chewable (wires, cords, furniture, etc.), keep all windows and doors closed and keep other animals out of the room.

Nutrition

Every bird species has different dietary requirements, so it is best to consult a veterinarian for specific information about your bird. A proper diet promotes good health and can help avoid medical conditions. A good diet generally consists of a high-quality pellet, a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains, and a small amount of seed. It is best that you discuss nutrition with your family veterinarian so that your bird is eating the appropriate diet.

Click here for more requirements on bird nutrition.

Enrichment

As a very intelligent and inquisitive species, companion birds can get bored easily, so rotating toys and providing novel enrichment opportunities is critical to their health.
Many birds do best with another bird companion of either the same species or a compatible one. This is especially true if the family works away from the home and the bird is left alone for large portions of the day.

For enrichment ideas for birds, click here.

We are here to support you! For any pre-adoption questions or concerns, contact our adoption staff at your local Ontario SPCA and Humane Society animal centre.

Animal centre locations

Giving Tuesday is an annual event that embraces the generous holiday spirit a few weeks early and encourages people to donate to their favourite charities. We thought we’d help you get into the giving spirit by sharing four quick and easy ways you can give back to animals in need this Giving Tuesday!

1. Donate

Today only, your gift will be DOUBLED to help animals in need, thanks to our friends at Fetch Pet Insurance, who are matching all donations up to $25,000!

Donate today and make 2X the impact for animals in need.

2. Shop for meaningful holiday gifts on Paws & Give™

Our Paws & Give™ store has the purrfect gift for any animal lover on your list! From festive holiday sweaters, calendars, tree ornaments, symbolic gifts and more – shopping our online store is an easy way to give back to animals in need and cross a few items off your holiday list!

3. Participate in Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays is a fun way to celebrate adoption and find loving homes for as many animals as possible across the province, especially our senior furry friends and long-term residents who are dreaming of spending the holidays with their new family. With many people home for the holidays, it’s the perfect time to welcome a new furry family member if you’ve been considering adoption.

Help make this season merry and bright for animals in need by giving the gift of a loving home. Visit ontariospca.ca/adopt to view our animals available for adoption.

4. Donate to our Animal Supplies Wish List

Furry friends at Ontario SPCA animal centres across Ontario need items to stay happy and healthy while they await their loving homes. Leashes, collars, dog and cat toys, treats, and kitty litter are just some of the things that are always in high demand.

Visit their wishlists today to add a gift under their tree this holiday season!

5. Follow and share our social media

Follow us on social media and help give animals in need the second chance they deserve! Every follow, like, comment, and share helps spread the word and brings more visibility to pets waiting for their loving homes. Your engagement truly makes a difference; it helps connect vulnerable animals with loving families. Plus, you’ll get a daily dose of adorable, heart-melting animal content to brighten your feed and your day. Join our community and be part of creating more happy endings.

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. However you choose to give back to animals in need this Giving Tuesday, we thank you!

The holidays are a time of warmth, compassion, and togetherness. At the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, it’s our favourite time of year to help animals find the loving families they’ve been dreaming of. That’s why we’re excited to launch our Home for the Holidays adoption campaign, running now until Dec. 24!

Our goal is to help 500 animals across the province find loving homes this holiday season, especially our beloved senior furry friends and long-term residents who have been patiently waiting for the perfect family to walk through the door.

Why the holidays are a great time to adopt

Many people spend more time at home during the holidays, which can make the transition into a new family smoother for adopted animals. Those first few days together are important bonding moments and having the extra time to help your furry friend adjust can make all the difference.

To set adopters up for success, every animal adopted from the Ontario SPCA is spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and sent home with food from Royal Canin to help ensure a smooth transition.

Not ready to adopt?

There are more ways to help make this season merry and bright for animals in need:

Donate

As a registered charity, the Ontario SPCA is 100 per cent donor funded and your support will change a life. Your gift provides shelter, medical care, enrichment, and love for animals across Ontario.

Visit ontariospca.ca/donate today!

Shop Paws & Give™

Our holiday gift catalogue is filled with meaningful gifts – whether you’re searching for the perfect gift for the animal lover in your life, or you want to give a symbolic gift to help animals currently awaiting adoption. Choose from toys for shelter pets, symbolic gifts that provide care, or holiday packs for cats and dogs.

Visit pawsandgive.ca to shop today!

If you’ve been thinking about adding a furry companion to your life, now is the perfect time. Visit ontariospca.ca/adopt to meet animals ready to celebrate the holidays by your side.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Whitby, ON (Dec. 1, 2025) – The Humane Society of Durham Region is on a mission to make dreams come true this holiday season for animals and their new families with its Home for the Holidays adoption campaign, running until Dec. 24.

Last year, the Humane Society of Durham Region found loving homes for 621 animals. To date in 2025, it has already had more than 700 animals come into its care. The animal centre’s goal is to find loving homes for 67 animals during the Home for the Holidays campaign. Animals adopted from the Humane Society of Durham Region are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated, and they go home with food from Royal Canin to help ensure a smooth transition into their new life.

With more people home during the holidays, now is an ideal time to welcome an animal into your family. Whether it’s an affectionate cat who’s been patiently watching others go home or a gentle senior dog still full of love to give, each adoption helps change a life – both for the animal and the family who opens their heart.

“Every animal deserves to experience the joy of home,” says Shannon Stephenson, Manager of the Humane Society of Durham Region, one of 14 Ontario SPCA animal centres across the province. “We have some very special animals who have been patiently waiting for a loving family to call their own and we’re hoping this holiday season will be their time to finally make their wishes come true.”

Those unable to adopt can still make a difference this holiday season. Donations help provide shelter and medical care for animals waiting for their forever homes. Supporters can also shop Paws & Give™, the Ontario SPCA’s online giving store filled with gifts that give back – from gifts for that special someone on your list, to toys for shelter animals. Every purchase helps give animals in need a second chance.

Visit hsdr.org to meet animals looking for homes this holiday season. If can’t adopt, please make a donation or shop Paws & Give™ at pawsandgive.ca. Together we can make this a season of love, hope, and happy new beginnings for animals across Ontario.

Note to producers/editors: B-roll is available at https://youtu.be/CAIbUlL_TFE

Media Contact

Kayla Montes
Community Outreach Coordinator,
Humane Society of Durham Region
289-894-3404
[email protected]

The Humane Society of Durham Region

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.

Training your cat to feel comfortable in their carrier is an important skill that will help reduce their stress, and yours, when they need to travel. Even if you don’t regularly travel with your cat, getting them comfortable in their carrier will make trips to the veterinarian smoother.

The training process takes patience and consistency. Using positive reinforcement and progressing at your cat’s pace, you can gradually build a positive association with the carrier. Each cat is unique, so it’s important to be patient and adaptable in your approach. With time and practice, your cat can learn to view their carrier as a safe and comforting space where they feel secure.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

A carrier that is the right size for your cat
A secure room or cage
Your cat’s meals
High-value treats
A towel to cover the carrier for comfort

Choosing the Right Carrier

It’s important to select a carrier where your cat can easily stand, lie down, and turn around. Choose carriers with removable lids, as they make veterinary visits less stressful when it’s time to come out of the carrier.

Setting Up the Carrier

Line the carrier with a soft blanket or bedding with your cat’s scent on it and cover it with a towel. This creates a cozy environment and helps reduce your cat’s stress.

Introducing the Carrier

Start by placing the carrier in your cat’s space with the door open. Begin feeding your cat near the carrier, gradually moving the dish closer to the back over time. Monitor your cat during meals to ensure they stay relaxed and comfortable.

Active Approach

Next, place the bottom half of the carrier in a secure room. Use treats or toys to lure your cat near or inside the carrier. Reward any interaction, such as sniffing or stepping inside, with treats.

Gradual Enclosure

Once your cat is comfortable approaching the carrier, add the top half. Encourage them to enter with the top on, rewarding each successful interaction. When your cat stays inside, close the carrier door and reward them. Gradually increase the time the door remains closed, rewarding your cat through the carrier door.

Progress at Your Cat’s Pace

Always monitor your cat’s comfort level. If they show signs of fear, anxiety, or stress, slow down the training process. It may take several sessions over days or weeks for your cat to feel completely comfortable.

If you encounter challenges during the training process, please contact a professional trainer or behaviour consultant.

Teaching a dog to “stay” is an important lesson to help keep your dog safe, teach focus and patience, develop manners, set boundaries, and it serves as a foundational cue for other training activities.  

Remember to keep training sessions short and stop the session before the dog starts to lose interest. We want to set the dog up for success in every stage. The dog should already know the verbal cue “Sit.”

Here’s What You’ll Need:

6’ leash
Secure room (low-distraction area to begin)
Treat pouch, or bag of bite-sized treats
High-value treats  
Clicker (optional)

Step 1: Introducing a “Release” Cue

Start by asking the dog to “Sit.” Immediately mark the behaviour with a click or “Yes” and reward.
Mark and reward again, quickly following the first reward.
Stop feeding and remain still. Give the verbal cue “Release” and wait for the dog to move.
When the dog gets up, pet, praise, and reward them with treats.
Repeat several times until the dog is consistently responding to the release verbal cue.

Step 2: Increasing Duration

Ask the dog to “Sit.”
Immediately mark the behaviour with a click or “Yes” and then reward.
Wait 3 to 5 seconds with the dog sitting, then mark the behaviour with click or “Yes” and reward.
Say the release cue “Release” and then reward. Next, try the steps again.
Repeat steps 1 to 4 several times, slowly increasing the time the dog is sitting before giving the mark and reward.
Continue to increase the time until the dog sits for 15 to 20 seconds.
Once the dog is consistently sitting for 15 to 20 seconds, add the “Stay” cue.
Ask the dog to “Sit” and then say “Stay,” marking the behaviour with a click or “Yes” and reward.

Step 3: Increasing Distance

Once the dog is reliably sitting for 15 to 20 seconds, start to add distance with the stay.
Ask the dog to “Sit” and “Stay” and then take 1 to 2 steps back away from the dog. If the dog tries to get up, try moving yourself to the side.
As you step away, mark the behaviour with a click or “Yes” and then step back towards the dog and reward.
Repeat steps 1 to 3 several times, slowly increasing the steps taken away from the dog.
If the dog doesn’t hold the sit as you move away, decrease the distance taken and continue to work on reinforcing at the level at which the dog is successfully staying.

When the dog is reliably staying, try to increase the difficulty by increasing stay duration and distance while adding distractions. Always set the dog up for success by being patient and taking time at each step before moving onto the next stage.

If you need assistance, contact a professional trainer or behaviour consultant.

Teaching your dog to sit is a great skill. It can help the dog focus, provides good behaviour in place of an undesired one, such as jumping up, and can even help keep them safe. Remember to be patient, consistent and do not use force or push a dog’s hind end down when teaching them to sit.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

6’ leash
Treat pouch, or bag of bite-sized treats
High and medium value treats
Clicker (not necessary, but can be used)

Steps:

While facing the dog, hold a treat just in front of the dog’s nose.
Take the treat and lure the dog (slowly moving the treat up and backwards) over the dog’s head.
As the dog’s head follows the treat up and back, their rear end will drop in a sitting position.
Mark (click or “Yes”) the behaviour and deliver the treat as soon as the dog sits. Follow with praise and petting.
Repeat steps 1-4 until the dog is reliably offering the behaviour.
Once the dog is starting to offer the behaviour, add the verbal cue “Sit.”
Say “Sit” as soon as the dog’s hind end touches the ground, then mark (click or “Yes”) and reward with a treat.
Aer a few consistent sessions, begin to say “Sit” before the dog sits down, then mark (click or say “Yes”) and reward.

As the dog becomes more consistent with “Sit,” increase difficulty by changing environments or slowly add distractions. If you need assistance, please contact a professional trainer or behaviour consultant.