Imagine you’re walking down the street with your pup, and you see someone else walking their dog ahead of you. Your dog sees them, too. He starts barking, jumping around, and performing other unwanted behaviours. What do you do?
Here are some tips to help calm your dog and reduce reactivity.
What you can do about leash pulling and reactivity:
- The first step is to try and limit exposure to overly exciting situations, such as crowded streets, that exceed your dog’s ability to handle calmly. This will help keep your dog calm enough to learn new ways of behaving.
- Keep your distance when you see an approaching person or dog. Leave enough space so your dog can remain calm, respond to cues, and eat treats.
- Another tip is to try and walk during lower traffic times of the day and in less populated areas. Walking in areas with multiple route options so you can quickly change direction will also be useful.
- Remove your dog from situations when needed or reduce the intensity of the situation to prevent your dog from engaging in unwanted behaviours like barking, pulling, or lunging.
Quick fixes:
- Cross the street.
- Do a U-turn and move back in the opposite direction.
- Move off the main pathways until the human or dog distraction has passed.
- If your dog looks like they might react, use an interrupter such as a treat, a cue for known behaviour or a handclap or light tap. Try not to scare your dog but simply break their focus.
- Use visual barriers. Which can include a building, parked vehicle, tree, or bush. By blocking your dog’s view of the passing person or dog, it can reduce the intensity of the situation. Keep your dog busy by rewarding cued behaviours or giving them treats.
- If your dog reacts, turn and move your dog far away so they can calm down. Reassess and see if the situation was too close or if there were any triggers that can be avoided next time.
Managing leash pulling and reactivity starts with setting your dog up for success by limiting overwhelming situations, creating distance from triggers, and using calm redirection techniques. With proactive planning, quick adjustments, and consistent positive reinforcement, you can help your dog feel more secure and build better walking habits over time.
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.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mobile service reduces barriers to spay/neuter care while curbing pet overpopulation
Pembroke, ON (March 26, 2026) – The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s Neuter Scooter rolled into Renfrew County yesterday for the first trip of the season, providing accessible spay/neuter services to help reduce animal overpopulation in the community.
On March 25, the Neuter Scooter transported 22 cats from Renfrew County to a partnering high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinic in Trenton, helping to prevent an estimated 600 unplanned offspring.
To help reduce barriers to access spay/neuter services, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society 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.
“Programs like the Neuter Scooter play a critical role in making basic veterinary care more accessible, which in turn helps reduce pet overpopulation,” says Heather Jobe, Community Outreach Coordinator, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Renfrew County Animal Centre. “Every spay and neuter surgery helps reduce the number of animals in need of homes and supports healthier communities for both pets and people.”
In 2025, Ontario SPCA Neuter Scooters made 42 trips to communities across the province, providing 765 cats with spay/neuter surgeries and preventing more than an estimated 50,000 unplanned offspring.
The program is made possible thanks to dedicated volunteer drivers who give their time to transport animals to appointments. If you’re interested in joining the Ontario SPCA team as a volunteer driver in Renfrew County, please visit ontariospca.ca/volunteer to learn more and apply.
For more information about the Neuter Scooter and other Ontario SPCA community support services, visit ontariospca.ca/communitysupport ontariospca.ca/neuter-scooter
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Media Contact
Heather Jobe
Community Outreach Coordinator
Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Renfrew County Animal Centre
613-602-5321
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 and Humane Society 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.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Whitby, ON (March 26, 2026) – The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is expanding its Pawsitive Packs initiative into Durham Region, helping to support pet families facing financial hardship or housing insecurity with essential supplies to care for their animals.
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Durham Region Animal Centre distributed 25 Pawsitive Packs, including 200 lbs of pet food, through Back Door Mission in Oshawa. The packs, which were supported by a $2,000 grant from Companies Who Care, contain essential pet care items such as collars, leashes, portable bowls, toys, treats and dog coats to help ensure animals remain safe and cared for during challenging times.
The Pawsitive Packs initiative is part of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s Community Support Services programming, which aims to keep pets with the people who love them by providing resources to families who may be struggling. The goal of the initiative is to help prevent unnecessary pet surrender by ensuring families have access to basic supplies.
“Through the Pawsitive Packs program, we are able to provide a helping hand to pet families in Durham Region and help remove some of the barriers they may be facing in caring for their animals,” says Kayla Montes, Community Outreach Coordinator, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Durham Region Animal Centre. “For many families, these supplies can make a meaningful difference during difficult times and help ensure beloved pets can remain where they belong – with the people who love them.”
Since its launch in York Region in 2024, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s Pawsitive Packs initiative has grown to serve communities across Ontario, including Cornwall, Orillia, and now Durham, helping keep pets with the families who love them. To date, close to 400 packs have been distributed through partnerships with food banks, shelters, warming centres, and social service organizations.
This program is part of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s broader commitment to keeping pets and families together. In addition to Pawsitive Packs, the organization distributed more than 485,000 lbs of pet food to food banks in 2025. The charity also provides accessible veterinary services through its community clinics to support families who may not otherwise be able to afford routine care.
To learn more, or to make a donation to help keep pets with the families who love them, visit ontariospca.ca
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Media Contact
Kayla Montes
Community Outreach Coordinator,
Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Durham Region Animal Centre
289-894-3404
[email protected]
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.
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Durham Region Animal Centre, formerly 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.
Families with young children will “baby proof” their house with outlet plugs, baby gates and move breakable objects, but did you know there are many common household hazards for our furry friends too?
Garbage, plants and flowers, essential oils, and certain foods are all hazardous items for our furry friends.
Garbage
One of the most enticing areas to explore for our furry friends are the ones that smell a bit different, like food and bathroom waste in our garbage bins. To prevent exploration within the house, ensure your bins have closed lids or are placed on shelves.
Plants and flowers
A nice way to bring the outdoors inside is through plants and flowers throughout our homes. While they add colour and freshness to the home, there are some plants and flowers that can be deadly to our furry friends. Before bringing a plant or flower into your home, check that it does not have any poisonous properties for your furry friends. Read more about plant and flower hazards, including a list of the top 17 most common poisonous plants, below.
Essential oils
Stress relief and help to sleep are just some of the reasons people turn to essential oils. While they may be helpful to humans, they can be harmful to animals. With much stronger senses of smell, our furry friends can experience great discomfort from oils and diffusers and may even experience dangerous side effects depending on the oil.
Carbon monoxide
While a deadly risk for humans, carbon monoxide often affects our animals before humans, as they spend more time indoors and are closer to the ground where carbon monoxide builds. To read more about carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms in animals and how to prevent poisoning, read our blog at https://ontariospca.ca/blog/protecting-pets-from-the-silent-threat-of-carbon-monoxide/.
Foods
While it may seem harmless to share a small snack with your furry friend or have them clean scraps off the floor, there is great risk in certain food items to both cats and dogs. Chocolate, grapes and dairy are just a few foods that are very dangerous to our furry friends. For a more comprehensive list, check out our other blogs below.
As members of our family, our furry friends deserve to have a safe home. Keeping our homes clear of common household hazards ensures they can explore their surroundings without harm.
If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Whitby, ON (March 24, 2026) – Access to essential veterinary care in Durham Region has taken an important step forward with the opening of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Durham Region Veterinary Clinic, a high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinic that is open to the public.
Appointments are still available for March, with registration for April opening on Tuesday, April 7. To book an appointment, visit ontariospca.ca/spayneuter
Previously dedicated to providing care exclusively for animals in shelter care, the clinic now offers spay/neuter surgeries for publicly owned dogs and cats, following the Ontario SPCA’s high-quality, high-volume clinic model used successfully in Barrie, Stouffville and Sudbury.
Spay/neuter services play a critical role in preventing unwanted litters, reducing the number of animals entering shelters, and helping families care responsibly for their pets. Demand for these services in Durham Region remains high, with many pet parents facing barriers to accessing veterinary care.
“Expanding spay/neuter services in Durham Region is an important step in supporting both animals and the people who love them,” says Shannon Stephenson, Operations Manager of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Durham Region Veterinary Clinic. “We encourage pet parents to book early as March appointments are expected to fill quickly.”
The opening of the Durham Region clinic is part of the Ontario SPCA’s broader commitment to increasing access to veterinary services across the province, helping keep pets healthy and reducing the risk of homelessness for animals in communities.
For more information, or to register, visit ontariospca.ca/spayneuter
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Media Contact
Media Relations
Ontario SPCA and Humane Society
905-898-7122 x 375
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.
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Durham Region Animal Centre, formerly 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
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cornwall, ON (March 24, 2026) – As warmer weather approaches, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Cornwall and Region Animal Centre is preparing for “kitten season,” the time of year when animal centres typically see a surge in pregnant cats and litters of kittens in need of care.
Each year, kitten season places increased demand on shelters and the resources required to care for vulnerable young animals. To help prepare for the expected influx this spring, the Cornwall and Region Animal Centre is seeking foster volunteers who can provide temporary homes for kittens too young for adoption.
Those interested in learning more are invited to attend a foster volunteer open house on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Attendees will:
- Learn about kitten care, including bottle feeding and the needs of neonatal kittens
- Hear firsthand from current foster volunteers about their experiences
- Gain a better understanding of what fostering involves and the supplies provided
- Learn how spay/neuter programs help prevent pet overpopulation
“Kitten season can be an extremely busy and challenging time for our small but mighty team, but we are preparing to ensure every animal gets the care they need,” says Candice Gordon, Manager, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Cornwall and Region Animal Centre. “We’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our community. From fostering and adopting to donating, every act of support helps give vulnerable animals a second chance.”
The Cornwall and Region Animal Centre consistently sees one of the highest animal intakes among the Ontario SPCA’s 13 animal centres across the province, highlighting the growing need for the new 8,000-square-foot animal centre and veterinary clinic currently under construction.
Despite the high intake, the Cornwall centre also has one of the shortest average lengths of stay for animals in care, at around 11 days. While the centre offers community support services aimed at keeping pets with the families who love them, it also supports those who are no longer able to care for their animals. In 2025, the centre took in close to 550 animals that were surrendered by their families, which was up 30% from the year before.
To learn more about fostering, adoption, or how to support animals in need, visit ontariospca.ca/cornwall
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Media Contact
Arianne Kirkey
Community Outreach Coordinator,
Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Cornwall and Region Animal Centre
(613) 937-7622
[email protected]
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.
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Cornwall and Region Animal Centre, formerly the Ontario SPCA Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Animal Centre, is located on the landsof the Akwesasne Mohawks and their ancestors. We also acknowledge the Algonquin, Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-oshow-nee) (Iroquois), Huron-Wendat (huron-wen·dat), and Abenaki who are neighbours and partners to the Akwesasne Mohawk.
Each spring, people often come across young wildlife and may assume they’ve been abandoned – and this year is no different. We want to ensure you have all the information you need to protect wildlife and help them if they are in distress.
Note: Whenever young mammals are found, an attempt should be made to reunite them with their parent(s). 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.
What to do if you find orphaned deer
A fawn should be left where they are found (unless injured) and you can check the site again within 24 to 48 hours. If the fawn is gone, the mother has returned and moved the fawn. If the fawn has moved from the spot, is crying or injured, or if the mother is known to be dead (i.e. the young deer is seen near the body of a nursing doe), call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator to advise you on next steps, before touching the fawn.
What to do if you find a baby squirrel or raccoon
If you’ve come across an orphaned squirrel, the first thing you should do is wait. Young squirrels should be given the opportunity to reunite with their mother if there is any chance that she is still available to care for them.
Unlike raccoons, mother squirrels will retrieve their young during the day, but not at night. Young squirrels should be placed in a shallow, open box with a heat source, such as a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. A hot water bottle can be made from an empty plastic bottle, filled with warm water, wrapped in a towel and secured to the box with duct tape so it does not roll around.
It is easy to mistakenly think that young squirrels and raccoons have been orphaned when a parent is in fact, still caring for them. If the young are removed in these cases, they have essentially been “kidnapped.”
What to do if you find orphaned rabbits
It is not uncommon to find nests of young rabbits in your yard or garden. Despite popular belief, cottontail rabbits do not burrow to create dens, but nest on the surface of the ground. Typically, female rabbits will find a small depression or hollow in the ground. They will then line the area with fur to use as a nest. Often these nests are found in the middle of open areas such as lawns or playing fields. If you find a group of baby rabbits lying in such a space, they are in their natural nest and do not necessarily need assistance.
If you have identified injured or orphaned wildlife, the best thing to do is contact your nearest wildlife rehabilitator for assistance and next steps.
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.
A chance discovery by a cottage owner closing up their island retreat for the season may have saved Isla’s life. The one-year-old dog was found abandoned on the island, which was only accessible by boat. The Good Samaritan reached out to the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society for help.
“Isla was very scared. She came in thin and covered in ticks from head to toe. Her coat was unkept and she had what appeared to be bite wounds,” says Candice Gordon, Manager, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Cornwall and Region Animal Centre. “She also looked like she may have either just delivered puppies or was just weaned off puppies.”
Treatment, trust and TLC
No puppies could be located on the island and Isla was transported to the mainland for care. She was seen by a veterinarian, who treated her wounds. Sadly, she also tested positive for Lyme disease and underwent treatment for the tick-borne illness. Through it all, her gentle spirit continued to shine through.
Like many rescued animals, Isla seemed grateful for the kindness and care shown by the animal centre team and volunteers. Trust came back in small, quiet moments — someone softly talking or reading to her, gentle grooming sessions, and the comfort of snuggling into a warm blanket.
“She was very timid, but she was a sweet girl who warmed up to the care team here quite quickly and learned to trust us,” says Candice.
A loving home to call her own
When it was time for Isla to find a loving family to call her own, she caught the attention of Thomas Soucy. He had recently said goodbye to his own dog and was missing the companionship of a canine friend. He saw the animal centre’s Facebook post about Isla and knew he needed to meet her. The two clicked immediately and Thomas brought Isla home, renaming her Mischief.
“Mischief is a great girl,” says Thomas. “We both rescued each other. She is doing great and we are both very happy.”
Help make second chances possible
The Ontario SPCA finds loving homes for thousands of animals each year. As a registered charity that is 100 per cent donor funded, we depend on the generosity of our supporters to give dogs like Isla the second chance they deserve. Please consider making a donation today.
As we head into the spring season, it’s important to be aware of springtime hazards that could lead to trouble for your animals. Check out our seven tips for staying safe this spring with your companion animals.
Tips for your animal heading into spring
Walk your dog. Going for a walk in your neighbourhood or on local trails is physically and mentally beneficial for you and your animal! Make sure to watch for bulbs and blooming plants that may be toxic to your furry friend.
Keep dogs on leash. In addition to preventing your animal from getting lost, keeping them on a leash will allow you to guide them away from people and other animals. As the snow melts, this also helps you keep an eye on your dog to make sure they don’t get into anything they shouldn’t that may be surfacing under the snow.
Beware of salt: When the ice and snow are melting, this creates salty water, even if roads haven’t been salted recently. When you’re on a walk, it may just look like sand, but there’s likely salt mixed in. Salt can act as an irritant; if it dries and irritates your animal, they’ll start licking it, which can make them sick.
Ensure identification is up to date. Make sure your dog or cat has a microchip for identification and wears a tag with your relevant contact information. Note that you will need to update your contact information with the microchip company if you move or your number changes. With accurate registration associated with the unique microchip number, a lost animal can be traced back to its pet parent as soon as they are scanned by a veterinarian, animal shelter or pound.
Window screens. Many animal parents welcome the breezy days of spring by opening their windows. Unfortunately, they also unknowingly putting their furry friends at risk – especially cats, who are apt to jump or fall through unscreened windows. Be sure to install snug and sturdy screens in all of your windows. If you have adjustable screens, make sure they fit tightly into window frames.
Speak to your veterinarian about flea and tick season. Your animal can be exposed to fleas at any time of year, especially when the winters are milder. Fleas can be picked up anywhere, including dog parks, on trails, or anywhere an infected dog has been, such as doggy daycare or grooming facilities. Though adult fleas feed on the bodies of animals, much of their lifecycle is off our furry friends, and they can move easily from animal to animal. Understanding the flea life cycle is important in helping to control and minimize spread and reinfection.
Ticks are ground dwellers and are found on low shrubbery or on the ground.They are usually found on the body parts of your animal that sit closest to the ground: neck, head, around the ears, feet, the front part of the chest, and the underside of the chest. Consult your veterinarian to find out the best flea and tick medication for your furry friend.
Watch for wildlife. Spring means wildlife is more active and waking up. With the beginning of mating season, it means soon litters will start being born. Be vigilant on your walks and do your best to avoid disturbing wildlife.
With these tips in mind, we hope you enjoy the spring season with your furry friend!
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.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local PetSmart stores will host adoptable pets March 23-29 as part of PetSmart Charities of Canada’s National Adoption Week.
Barrie, ON, (March 19, 2026) – Thanks to a new grant from PetSmart Charities of Canada®, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society will help more pets in Barrie get healthy, adoption-ready, and into loving homes. The $65,000 grant will support National Adoption Week events taking place at the PetSmart at 33 Mapleview Dr. W. in Barrie from March 23-29, 2026.
Thousands of animals find themselves in shelters across Canada each year, adding strain to many already coping with stretched resources. Funds from PetSmart Charities of Canada help provide care and shelter to animals in need at the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Barrie and District Animal Centre.
“This partnership provides additional opportunities for the animals in our care to meet potential adopters,” says Janna Handiak, Operations Manager, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Barrie and District Animal Centre. “Our goal is to help animals find loving homes as quickly as possible, and events like this are a wonderful way to introduce the community to animals who are waiting patiently for their second chance.”
“Our animal welfare partners in local communities are determined to keep pace with the need, and deserve support,” says Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities of Canada. “We’re proud to work alongside the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society and appreciate the critical steps they take to advocate for the animals that come through their doors in need of love, safety, care and nutrition. Please consider supporting their lifesaving work through volunteering, fostering, adopting, or by donating.”
PetSmart Charities of Canada National Adoption Week is a special time during the year. Neighbourhood PetSmart stores will host adoptable pets to meet and cuddle in spacious areas, and staff and volunteers are ready to make introductions and answer questions. Potential pet parents can also learn about the products and services they’ll need for the best possible start with their new family members.
Ontario SPCA animal centres in Barrie, York Region and Muskoka will be participating in the March adoption event, as well as additional National Adoption Week events taking place July 20-26 and Oct. 19-25.
To view animals available for adoption at the Ontario SPCA, visit ontariospca.ca/adopt
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Media Contact
Shannon Laflamme
Community Outreach Coordinator,
Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Barrie and District Animal Centre
(705) 791-4957
[email protected]
24-Hour PetSmart Charities Media Line
623-587-2177
About 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.
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Barrie and District Animal Centre is situated on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg people. The Anishinaabeg include the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomi nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy.
About PetSmart Charities of Canada
PetSmart Charities of Canada is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart stores across the country, PetSmart Charities of Canada has helped over 400,000 pets find loving homes. PetSmart Charities of Canada also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. Our grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crisis with access to food, shelter, and emergency relief. Each year, thousands of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities of Canada directly at PetSmartCharities.ca, while shopping at PetSmart.ca, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities of Canada efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in Canada, granting more than $40 million since its inception in 1999. PetSmart Charities of Canada is a registered Canadian charity. To learn more, visit PetSmartCharities.ca.
Many rabbit companions enjoy going outside! But it’s important to make sure they do so in a way that keeps them safe. Training a rabbit to accept a harness and a leash is a great way to allow them to safely explore the outdoors. Read our tips for help on how to teach a rabbit to wear a harness and leash.
Training steps
- Select a lightweight body harness with a band that goes around the rabbit’s neck and a band that goes around the rabbit’s chest/torso. Never use a collar, since a rabbit can easily slip out of one or become injured. Also, select a lightweight leash (6 ft or more).
- Start by kneeling on the floor beside them; see if they will come to you and offer a treat.
- When they are comfortable, gently pick up the rabbit, holding them gently and keeping their body close to yours. Gently wrapping them in a towel may help make the rabbit feel safer while you hold them.
- Speak gently and soothingly to the rabbit as you slowly ease the harness onto them. Offer the rabbit treats while they are getting used to the harness to make the experience positive and rewarding.
- If the rabbit is reluctant about wearing the harness, try again slowly later in the day or the next day, offering extra treats and positive reinforcement. Never force a scared rabbit; be patient as it may take time.
- Once the rabbit is used to wearing a harness inside, attach the leash, toss treats and let the rabbit drag the leash along behind them until they get used to the feel of light resistance on the harness.
- When the rabbit is at ease with the feel of the harness and leash, take hold of the loop end.
- Walk inside for several days before venturing outside, providing lots of rewards. If the rabbit has never been outside, get them used to it by putting their cage outside in a pet-safe area. Ensure their enclosure located in the shade and out of the elements.
- To coax the rabbit to walk along with you, offer them special treats. Place a treat on the ground a few feet in front of the rabbit; when they get to that treat, repeat the process.
Important notes
Even the most confident bunny may panic if suddenly aware of open space, the constraint of the harness, and the approach of an unknown animal. When walking your rabbit, it is best to stay within low traffic areas, and away from dogs. Take a towel with you to wrap the rabbit if they panic.
If the rabbit doesn’t take very well to walking on a lead, but enjoys the outdoors, there are other options. These can include a variety of outdoor playpens that provide room to explore and investigate in a safe, escape-free environment. For their safety and comfort, remember to always monitor your rabbit while they’re enjoying the outdoors.
Happy training!
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.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Stouffville, ON (March 18, 2026) – The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society has welcomed 22 cats and five dogs from Northern communities to help them find homes through its adoption program, bringing the total number of animals transferred for adoption to more than 150 so far in 2026.
The cats and dogs, some of whom travelled nearly 2,000 kilometres, arrived on March 14 and are now settling in at Ontario SPCA animal centres in Sudbury, Orillia, Midland and Durham. Once ready, they will be placed for adoption. The Ontario SPCA works alongside Northern communities and partners to transfer animals in need of homes to areas of the province where families are waiting to adopt.
Harsh winter conditions this year have made the situation urgent for many animals in Northern communities. Calls for support began in early January when the Ontario SPCA took in 18 Northern puppies in urgent need of shelter. Soon after, a nursing dog and her three pups also arrived. To date, the Ontario SPCA has welcomed 157 dogs and cats from Northern communities – second chances made possible thanks to staff, volunteers and community partners.
Limited access to veterinary care, including spay and neuter services, has contributed to rising animal populations in Northern communities. Working alongside community partners, the Ontario SPCA delivers critical resources, such as food and mobile wellness services, while supporting long-term solutions through population management and adoption initiatives.
“The need for support in the North remains high, but so does the compassion of the communities and partners who come together to help,” says Arista Wogenstahl, Northern Regional Manager of Community Outreach Services with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “Bringing more than 150 animals into our care this year is a testament to what’s possible when we work together to give animals a brighter future.”
Interested in adopting? Visit ontariospca.ca/adopt to see animals available for adoption. Animals adopted from the Ontario SPCA are spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, and go home with food from Royal Canin to help ensure a smooth transition.
If you’re not ready to adopt, please consider donating to make second chances possible for animals. As a registered charity that is 100 per cent donor funded, the Ontario SPCA relies on the generosity of supporters to help animals and the people who care for them across Ontario. To donate to support the Ontario SPCA’s work in the North, visit ontariospca.ca/donate
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Media Contact
Media Relations
Ontario SPCA and Humane Society
905-898-7122 x 375
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.
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Provincial Office sits on the traditional territory of the Wendat, the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Mississaugas of Scugog, Hiawatha and Alderville First Nations and the Métis Nation. This territory was the subject of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Iroquois Confederacy and the Ojibwe and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. The treaties that were signed for this particular parcel of land are collectively referred to as the Williams Treaties of 1923.
