Page 8 – Ontario SPCA

By Charmaine Brett, President & CEO, Ontario SPCA & Humane Society

Across Ontario, families are quietly making impossible choices: pay rent or buy groceries, fill a prescription or take a sick pet to the vet. Behind each decision is a ripple effect that touches both people and animals because when financial pressure rises, the ability to care for every member of the household becomes fragile.

Two new reports make that reality impossible to ignore. The United Way Centraide Financial Anxiety Survey found that 42 per cent of Canadians could only cover their basic expenses for less than a month if their income was lost. The Ontario Nonprofit Network’s 2025 State of the Sector report reveals that Ontario’s non-profit community, one of the province’s largest employers, is under intense strain with higher demand, shrinking resources and rising exhaustion among those holding our social safety net together.

Together these findings paint a picture of a province under pressure, where both people and the organizations that support them are struggling to stay afloat.

Pets and people: one story, one system

When families face crisis such as job loss, eviction, illness or displacement, pets too often fall through the cracks. Yet pets are not luxuries. They are family. They bring comfort, structure and emotional stability, especially for children, seniors and those living alone.

At our animal centres, we see this reality every day. Our team recently assisted a family at risk of eviction due to their unneutered cat spraying in the apartment. The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society team was contacted by a local social service agency seeking resources to help keep the family together. We were able to provide the family with access to our neuter scooter services, which transported the cat to a local veterinarian where it was neutered. As a result, the cat stopped spraying, and the family was able to stay in their apartment.

We also see the heartbreak when financial or housing stress forces someone to surrender a beloved companion. I am reminded of a not uncommon story of a dog named Luna. On disability with limited income, Luna’s person had cared for her faithfully for years. He managed to keep up with vaccinations, preventative care, and all her needs. But her newly developed urinary condition required care, possible surgery and prescription diet food he simply couldn’t afford.

Luna’s person had an undeniable love for her, but the financial burden of her care proved too great. With deep compassion, he turned to us, hoping we could provide the medical support she needed and find a family able to take on her ongoing expenses. Luna’s person felt that the kindest choice was to ask us to take Luna in and find her a new home. Our role in heartbreaking moments like this is to respect that decision and step in to make sure the animal gets the medical care and the second chance they deserve.

Keeping pets and people together is not a side issue. It is a public-health, mental-health and community-resilience issue.

A sector at a crossroads

Ontario’s non-profit sector is the connective tissue between compassion and community. Yet, as the Ontario Nonprofit Network’ s report warns, that tissue is thinning. Organizations are doing more with less, managing rising costs, workforce shortages and donor fatigue. According to the Ontario Nonprofit Network, 68 per cent of Ontario non-profits report demand for their services has risen faster than their capacity to respond, while nearly half have frozen or reduced programs due to funding shortfalls.

This pattern echoes what we see in humanitarian systems around the world. When crises multiply, coordination and sustained investment become as vital as compassion. The lesson for Ontario is clear: goodwill alone is not enough. Governments, foundations and corporate partners must help stabilize the sector that so often stabilizes everyone else.

Our shelters, food banks, clinics and outreach programs are frontline infrastructure. They are as vital to community well-being as hospitals and schools.

The demand for support is also being felt at the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, which has seen a 17% increase in pet surrender requests from 2024 to 2025. More families can no longer care for their animals. Over 85% of the requests to rehome a pet are because their families can’t care for them anymore.

Three priorities for a more humane Ontario

1. Integrate pet supports into human services.

Many Ontario food banks already include pet food, often with Ontario SPCA support. The next step is ensuring people at risk of homelessness or fleeing crisis have emergency housing options that welcome pets, and that pets are included in municipal and provincial emergency response plans. When we plan for both people and their animals, we prevent family separation before it happens.

2. Invest in access to veterinary care.

Preventive care is often the first casualty when money is tight. Expanding low-cost clinics, mobile outreach and Northern spay-and-neuter programs prevents crisis before it starts. This keeps families together and reduces strain on municipal shelters. We are scaling up these operations across Ontario in 2026 to meet this growing need.

3. Measure retention, not just rescue.

We must redefine success. The goal is not only how many animals we rehome but how many families we help stay together. In 2025 alone, the Ontario SPCA has helped keep over 31,000 animals with their families through our access to care programs, Pawsitive Packs initiatives for unhoused pet parents, and food distribution for families impacted by the northern wildfires or struggling to feed their pets.

A call for leadership and partnership

Ontario’s non-profit and charitable sector faces a slow-moving emergency that demands the same kind of coordinated response the humanitarian community models worldwide: collective action, flexible funding and recognition that early investment prevents deeper harm later.

Governments and foundations can play a decisive role by providing bridge funding, stabilizing grants and policy tools that allow organizations like ours to plan beyond the next fiscal year. This is not about charity; it is about continuity of care. The cost of inaction will be measured in surrendered pets, fractured families and lost trust in community systems.

Around the world, governments are beginning to recognize that the bond between people and animals is structural, not sentimental. Just recently, Spain formally recognized pets as members of the family, granting them legal protection in housing, separation and emergency response. It is a powerful signal that animal welfare and human well-being are inseparable, and a reminder that Ontario too can lead by embedding pets into our definitions of family care and community resilience.

At the Ontario SPCA, we are working to be part of that bridge by providing access to clinics offering basic veterinary care, community pet food support programs and pilot initiatives that board pets during times of crisis. By building cross-sector partnerships and expanding community-based resources, we’re strengthening the safety net that keeps families whole. Our program focuses on getting pet food where it is most accessible. In partnership with local food banks, in 2025 alone, we have distributed over 595,000 meals to pet families. But we cannot do it alone.

Hope shared

Ontario’s next chapter must be built on compassion that includes every member of the family; two-legged and four-legged alike.

If we strengthen the non-profit system that holds people and their pets together, we build communities that are stronger, healthier and more humane.

In this moment of strain, let us act with the same urgency and coordination the humanitarian world models so well. Keeping pets and people together is not only kind, it is smart, preventative and essential to the future of a compassionate Ontario.

Join us at ontariospca.ca to help keep pets and people together.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brockville, ON (November 4, 2025) – Lace up your running shoes, grab your Santa hat or ugly sweater and get ready to make spirits bright at the Santa Run & Santa Paws Walk in support of the Ontario SPCA Leeds & Grenville Animal Centre.

This festive fundraising event takes place on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area in Brockville. The fun kicks off with a 6.5-kilometre Santa Run at 10 a.m. Wear your jolliest holiday gear and run to support animals in need. All finishers will receive a unique holiday-themed medal, with a special handcrafted award to the first place male, female and youth runners.

A dog-friendly social will take place after the race from 12 noon to 3 p.m., featuring a walk along the trails, bonfire, canteen, photo booth, and a variety of local vendors offering purr-fect holiday gifts and treats for pets and people alike.

Registration for the Santa Run is $30, with all proceeds supporting the Ontario SPCA Leeds & Grenville Animal Centre. While there is no cost to attend the social, donations are encouraged to help make the season merry and bright for animals in need.

“Join us on the beautiful trails of Mac Johnson Wildlife Area for a fun and festive way to help local animals in need,” says Katelyn Stojadinov, Community Outreach Coordinator with the Ontario SPCA Leeds & Grenville Animal Centre “The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is a registered charity that is 100 per cent donor funded, so every dollar raised helps give animals in our community a second chance.”

Please note that while dogs are welcome to attend the afternoon festivities, for the safety of our furry friends and participants, animals are not permitted to participate in the run portion of the event.

Get ready for some ho-ho-howliday fun and help make tails wag this season. To register for the Santa Run or learn more about the event, visit ontariospca.ca/leedsgrenville

Media Contact

Katelyn Stojadinov

Community Outreach Coordinator, Ontario SPCA Leeds & Grenville Animal Centre

613-349-7575

[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 Leeds & Grenville Animal Centre is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples.

When Raisin was brought to the Ontario SPCA Lennox & Addington Animal Centre by a police officer who found her staggering in the middle of the road in Napanee, she was in desperate need of care. Despite her fragile state, one thing was immediately clear: this tiny cat had a huge heart and an incredible will to live.

A tiny cat with a big fight

Raisin’s adult teeth showed she was at least six months old, but her body told a different story. Weighing just 1.3 kg, she was approximately the size of a 12-week-old kitten. Her skin had been scalded from urine and feces and she was very undernourished – she needed help right away.

Tests confirmed that she was anemic and had raging coccidia, a microscopic parasite that infects the intestinal lining of animals, causing diarrhea and digestive upset. The team quickly sprang into action to make her comfortable and ensure she received the medical care she needed.

Raisin was placed under veterinary supervision, where she received fluids, antibiotics and supportive care to help her regain her strength. When she stopped eating on her own, the team carefully syringe-fed her for weeks until her appetite returned. It was slow progress, but with every small meal and every tender cuddle, Raisin grew stronger.

A gentle spirit who stole hearts

Despite all she had been through, Raisin never lost her gentle spirit. She greeted her animal care team with soft purrs and leaned into their hands for affection. Her resilience and sweet nature quickly made her a favourite among the staff and volunteers, who cheered for her every milestone: her first purr after treatment, her first full meal, and the day she finally began to play.

“She was a centre favourite and although she had a lot of medical treatments, she never wavered in her trust,” says Becky Harvey, Manager, Ontario SPCA Lennox & Addington Animal Centre.

A forever home

After over a month of care, Raisin was ready to start a new chapter. Her remarkable recovery and loving personality caught the eye of her perfect adopter, who welcomed her into a home filled with love and comfort.

Today, Raisin’s story is a heartwarming reminder that with compassion, patience, and teamwork, even the most fragile beginnings can blossom into beautiful new lives.

As a registered charity that does not receive annual government funding, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society depends on the generosity of donors to change the lives of animals in need. Please consider donating today to help give animals like Raisin the second chance they deserve.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Stouffville, ON (Nov. 3, 2025) – With the Grand Prize draw taking place on Friday, time is running out to fetch your tickets for the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery! With the jackpot now over $110,000 and growing fast, this is your last chance to win big while helping animals in need.

Tickets are available until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, with the Grand Prize draw taking place on Friday, Nov. 7. You can get in on the action for as little as $10 for 10 tickets. The winner of the spring Draws for Paws 50/50 lottery took home more than $127,000! Don’t miss your chance to win big and help animals get the care they deserve.

“This is your last opportunity to get in on the action,” says Stephanie Miller, Vice President of Development, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “Not only could you walk away with a six-figure jackpot right before the holidays, but you’ll also be making a difference in the lives of animals who need our help.”

When you buy a ticket, you’re not just taking a chance at a life-changing prize, you’re helping give animals a second chance. Funds raised through the Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery support the Ontario SPCA’s Community Access to Resources, Education, and Support (CARES) Fund – a new grant program that helps SPCAs and humane societies across Ontario. The CARES Fund provides financial support for initiatives that enhance animal welfare, including spay/neuter programs, veterinary care, and shelter improvements.

Don’t miss your chance to win big and make tails wag. Visit ontariospcalottery.ca today to get your tickets before it’s too late!

Lottery License No: RAF1491380

MEDIA CONTACT

Media Relations

Ontario SPCA and Humane Society

905-898-7122 x 375

[email protected]

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society

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.

At the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, every adoption represents a second chance for both the animal and the adopter. Our rehoming process is designed to ensure every animal is placed in a loving, suitable home where they can thrive. But we also recognize that the decision to rehome an animal can be incredibly difficult. Life circumstances can change, and when families or individuals make the choice to rehome an animal, we’re there to support every step of the way.

Rehoming with compassion

Rehoming a beloved pet is never an easy decision. But sometimes rehoming is the most compassionate and responsible choice a pet parent can make. Life changes and unexpected circumstances, such as illness, housing challenges, or financial hardship, can affect a family’s ability to provide the care an animal deserves.

In these cases, choosing to rehome is putting the animal’s well-being first. At the Ontario SPCA, we recognize this decision is one made from deep care for an animal’s future. Our team is here to support families through that process with understanding, respect, and compassion.

Smooth transitions

To make the experience smooth and stress-free, we ask that families book a rehoming appointment before bringing an animal to one of our animal centres. This ensures we can prepare for their arrival, gather important information about their health and personality, and provide the best possible care and comfort during the transition. To book a rehoming appointment, we ask that you fill out the dog or cat rehoming profile and submit it to your local animal centre via email. Scheduled appointments help reduce stress and allow our team to dedicate the time and attention needed to make the process as positive and calm as possible.

Once an animal enters our care, they receive a full health check, any necessary vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery (if needed), and a behavioural assessment. Our team takes the time to get to know every animal’s unique personality and needs so we can find the perfect match.

To view our animals currently available for adoption, visit ontariospca.ca/adopt

Learn why adopting from the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is the perfect choice.

FAQs

Do animals transition well into a new home after being adopted by a new family?

Animals are resilient and can adapt to new surroundings if they are given the time and support needed to help them transition into their new home. Our adoption team is here as a resource for adopters, and we also have many great tips and resources on our website, ontariospca.ca

Does the Ontario SPCA euthanize for space?

No, the Ontario SPCA does not euthanize for space. We are committed to finding loving homes for all the animals in our care, no matter how long it takes.

What does the Ontario SPCA do to support pet families?

Wherever possible, the Ontario SPCA tries to keep animals with the people who love them.

To keep pets in loving homes, we communty support services, such as high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics, mobile wellness events, and community initiatives like food bank partnerships and “Pawsitive Packs” for unhoused pet parents. These community services aim to reduce shelter intake and strengthen the bond between pets and their people.

Learn more about how we keep pets and people together.

Visit ontariospca.ca/communitysupport to learn more about our services.

What should I do if I’m considering rehoming my pet because of behavioural issues?

Our website has a number of resources, tools and tips related to animal care and positive behaviour modification. If you are thinking of rehoming your animal due to behavioural challenges, we recommend pet parents contact their veterinarian for advice on animal care and well-being. A positive reinforcement-based trainer may also be able to assist you and your pet.

How do I make a rehoming appointment?

If you are struggling to care for your animal and need support with rehoming your pet, please complete the rehoming profile below and submit to the animal centre nearest you via email. Once the centre receives your completed profile, a representative will contact you to discuss next steps and available options.

Dog/Puppy Re-homing Profile

Cat/Kitten Re-homing Profile

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ontario SPCA Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Animal Centre has 15 cats left on the doorstep

Cornwall, ON (October 31, 2025) – The Ontario SPCA Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Animal Centre is seeing first-hand the impact that economic challenges are having on families and their pets. With the rising cost of living, more people are finding it difficult to afford basic pet care, and animal centres across the province are feeling the effects.

Earlier today, 15 cats and kittens were brought into care at the Cornwall animal centre after being left outside the building overnight. While all the animals are now safe, this situation underscores the challenges many people face when they simply don’t know where to turn for help.

“The cost of food, housing and veterinary care continues to rise, and we understand that families are struggling,” says Candice Gordon, Manager, Ontario SPCA Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Animal Centre. “We want people to know they’re not alone. The Ontario SPCA is here to help – and we encourage anyone who needs support to reach out before they feel like they’ve run out of options.”

To help keep animals with the families who love them, the Ontario SPCA offers a variety of community support services, including distributing pet food to local food banks to keep furry bellies full, and hosting mobile spay/neuter and wellness clinics to make basic veterinary care more accessible and reduce pet overpopulation.

To meet the growing needs of the community, the Ontario SPCA recently broke ground on a new Cornwall & Region Animal Centre and Veterinary Clinic, which will open in 2027. The new 8,000-square-foot facility will include an in-house, charity-based spay/neuter and basic care clinic. The clinic will provide affordable spay/neuter surgeries and essential veterinary care, helping to reduce pet overpopulation and making preventive care more accessible for local families. Once operational, it will have the capacity to perform thousands of spay/neuter procedures annually – a key step in addressing one of the region’s most pressing animal welfare challenges.

“This new facility is an investment in our community’s future,” says Gordon. “By improving access to affordable care, we can help keep pets in their homes, prevent unplanned litters, and reduce the number of animals entering shelters.”

The Ontario SPCA is calling on the community for support as it continues to care for animals in need, including these 15 cats and kittens. To donate or learn more, visit ontariospca.ca/sdg

Media Contact

Arianne Kirkey
Community Outreach Coordinator,
Ontario SPCA Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Animal Centre
(613) 937-7622
[email protected]

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society

The Ontario SPCA Stormont Dundas & Glengarry Animal Centre is located on the lands of 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.

This Halloween, you may be planning on dressing up your furry friend to take part in the festivities with you. But how can you safely introduce your fur baby to a costume, and what are some warning signs to watch for in case they aren’t comfortable with it?

Here’s how to make sure dressing up for Halloween is a safe and fun experience for your furry family members:

Make sure your pet is comfortable in a costume

Prepare for Halloween by ensuring your companion animal is comfortable and enjoys wearing their spooky get-up. As much as you may want them to dress up, their safety and comfort should always come first.

Take the time to introduce the costume to your furry friend

Many animals are okay with costumes when they get used to them. However, if your companion animal never feels comfortable in the costume, that’s okay, too – you can still rock your own costume. Read for more tips on how to introduce a costume.

Do a pre-Halloween practice

Let your furry family member smell and check out the costume a week or so before Halloween. Give them a treat, wrap a towel around them like a cape to get a sense of how they’ll feel in it on Halloween. Be sure to use a light and relaxed tone to keep things fun and stress free.

Watch for their response

Any movement like shaking, scratching, or rubbing to remove a costume piece is a clear sign from your fur baby that they aren’t comfortable with the costume. If this happens, you can try modifying the costume so they may be more comfortable.

Costumes also shouldn’t get in the way of a leash or harness. If the one you’ve chosen does, you may want to simply share photos from home and then take the costume off before leaving your home. Also, consider these tips from Fear Free Happy Homes before deciding to bring your pooch along for trick or treating.

Never include human hair dye in your animal’s costume

Human hair dye does not belong on animals. It’s toxic to animals and using it just once can be harmful. Glitter should also be avoided.

Whether your companion animal enjoys being in a costume or not, their safety and security should always come first. Halloween is meant to be enjoyed. Following our tips will help ensure both of you can enjoy the day to the fullest!

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society depends on the generosity of donors to change the lives of animals in need. If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation.

Column by Charmaine Brett published in the Toronto Sun on Oct. 30, 2025

Over the past week, I have been visiting many of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s 14 animal centres across the province. At each stop, I met families, staff, and volunteers who share a common love: the bond between people and their pets. These visits were inspiring, but they also highlighted the challenges families are facing. Access to veterinary care, something many once counted on, is becoming harder for a growing number of Ontarians.

Household budgets remain stretched thin in the wake of COVID-19. Families are still coping with higher living costs, rising interest rates, and economic uncertainty. Veterinary care has not been immune to these pressures. Tariffs and inflation have pushed up the cost of supplies, which in turn has led to higher clinic fees. For many families, even basic services such as vaccines, spay and neuter surgeries, or dental care now feel out of reach.

The result is a difficult reality for pet owners. In Renfrew County, families often drive hours to Ottawa for even the most routine care. In Orillia and Barrie, many parents say they cannot manage private clinic fees. In Durham, our centres hear daily from community members who are worried about how to afford basic wellness care for their pets. These are not isolated examples. They reflect the situation in both rural and urban communities across Ontario.

The pandemic saw many people welcome new pets into their homes, finding comfort and connection during a time of isolation. While this brought joy, it also increased demand for veterinary care at a time when costs have been rising. For families living on limited incomes or in areas with few veterinary options, access to care is now a serious barrier.

At the Ontario SPCA, we believe pets belong with the families who love them. Families should not have to choose between paying their bills and caring for their animals. That is why we are working to expand access to care through affordable spay and neuter and wellness services, mobile and pop-up clinics in underserved regions, and partnerships with communities to strengthen preventive care. These efforts help keep pets healthy, prevent unnecessary surrenders, and support family and community well-being.

In the coming weeks, I will continue visiting our centres to listen to families, learn from our dedicated staff and volunteers, and see first-hand the creative ways communities are responding to these challenges. Their commitment gives me confidence that together we can make a real difference.

The path forward is clear. By working collaboratively with families, communities, and partners, we can reimagine what access to veterinary care looks like in Ontario. We can build a system where geography and income are no longer barriers, and where people and pets are able to stay where they belong – together.

Charmaine Brett is President and CEO of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Orangeville, ON (Oct. 30, 2025) – The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s Neuter Scooter has hit the road in Dufferin County, transporting pets to spay/neuter appointments to make the service more accessible to more families.

The Neuter Scooter transports cats on the second Wednesday of every month to a partnering high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinic for surgery, then returns them to their waiting families at the end of the day. The next Neuter Scooter is Nov. 12 for male cats, with pick up and drop off locations at the Giant Tiger Shelburne and the Ontario SPCA Orangeville & District Animal Centre.

The Ontario SPCA rolled out its first Neuter Scooter trip in Orangeville in October, transporting 13 cats for spay/neuter surgeries, which prevented close to an estimated 200 potentially unwanted offspring. It’s one of the Ontario SPCA’s community outreach services designed to help keep pets and families together by making basic veterinary services more accessible.

“By removing transportation barriers and partnering with high-quality, high-volume clinics that can accommodate many animals each day, the program ensures more animals can be spayed or neutered, which reduces pet overpopulation,” says Bonnie Bishop, Eastern Regional Manager, Community Outreach Services, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.

This service is only available through online registration and is offered for cats from 4 months to eight years of age with no underlying health concerns. Registration closes Nov. 5. To learn more or to register, visit ontariospca.ca/orangeville

Media Contact

Shannon Bury
Community Outreach Coordinator
Ontario SPCA Orangeville & District Animal Centre
1-905-898-7122 x 433
[email protected]

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society

The Ontario SPCA Orangeville & District Animal Centre is situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe people including the Ojibway, Potawatomi and Odawa of the Three Fires Confederacy.

Frankie and Molly are two resilient kittens whose story reminds us of the power of compassion and second chances.

Their journey began when a kind-hearted woman saw them listed for sale online for just $10. Concerned for their well-being, she met the seller, brought the kittens home, and quickly realized they were in poor health. Wanting the best for them, she brought them to the Humane Society of Durham Region, where the team immediately stepped in to help.

A rough start

Both kittens arrived suffering from severe upper respiratory infections. They also had patches of hair loss, which tests confirmed was ringworm, a contagious fungal infection. Treatment for ringworm takes several weeks, requiring medicated baths and antifungal medications. The kittens handled it all like little champions.

Frankie’s condition was a bit more complex. Along with her infection, her eye was severely affected. The veterinary team kept a close watch and treated her with medicated eye drops. During her spay surgery, they repaired an unusual issue where her third eyelid was attached to the top of her eye. There was concern that the eye might need to be removed, but the surgery was a success. Although her eye will never look completely normal, Frankie has full vision and is healthy.

A joyful new chapter

Throughout their recovery, Frankie and Molly went from timid and shy to sweet and social. Their daily care helped them learn to trust, and once they were medically cleared, they quickly captured the hearts of visitors and were adopted together into a loving home.

“Needless to say, they are well loved,” says their adopter, Lindsay. Molly is SO affectionate and always in the mix chasing Hot Wheels with our kids, then curling up in my lap while I read. Frankie is incredibly gentle – she lets the kids pick her up but also enjoys her quiet time. She never lets us forget when it’s dinner time!”

Care, compassion and a happy ending

Frankie and Molly’s story is a beautiful example of what can happen when animals are given the care and love they need. The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is grateful to everyone who played a part in their journey – from the woman who rescued them to the medical team and their wonderful forever family. Frankie and Molly didn’t just find a home, they found happiness.

Every year, thousands of wild animals are taken to wildlife rehabilitation centres across the province because they require care for an injury. In many cases, they are injured when they are stuck by a vehicle.

To coexist with wildlife, consider the enormous hardships these intelligent and fascinating wild species encounter because so much of their habitat has been destroyed. Each year they are forced into closer contact with humans and must compete with us for food, shelter and space. With a little understanding, patience and a few precautions, we can all enjoy the wonderfully interesting wild animals who share our backyards, towns and cities. Keep reading for tips on wildlife friendly driving this year.

Take extra caution during high-risk hours

The majority of wildlife-related vehicle accidents in Ontario occur at the beginning and end of the day. Many wild animals are most active at dusk and dawn. Unfortunately, this is also when visibility tends to be at its worst for drivers.

When traveling at these times of day, it is important for drivers to remain alert and watch for animals that may venture onto the road. It is always best to drive with caution, but reducing your speed can also mean saving an animal’s life. This is because lower vehicle speed will make it easier to stop if an animal suddenly appears in front of you.

Watch for the glow of eyes on the side of the road reflected in your headlights, and remember that some species travel in groups, so there may be more than one animal crossing. Be particularly cautious when driving in moose country, as they can be very difficult to see at night.

It is also important not to overdrive the distance of your lights. Be extra careful if you are driving in rural areas where there may be more wildlife activity. Exercise caution when rounding a curve, reaching the crest of a hill, or anywhere visibility is limited.

Finally, you may also want to consider taking a defensive driving course to learn techniques and emergency maneuvers that could help you avoid hitting an animal.

Ensure you’re not enticing animals onto the road

Throwing food or food wrappers out of car windows is not only littering and polluting, it may also endanger animals by attracting them onto the road. Household garbage is also a source of attraction for animals on roadsides. Putting garbage out the morning of collection, rather than the night before, and using wildlife-proof containers is a good way to prevent animals from lingering on the roadside.

Watch for warning signs placed in common collision areas

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation places warning signs in areas where deer and moose collisions are common. Collisions with large animals such as these are especially dangerous. If you see a sign indicating that the area is an animal crossing, take extra caution in these areas.

You may also wish to consider purchasing ultrasonic devices that emit a sound inaudible to humans, but which claim to frighten large animals such as deer, causing them to run away instead of remaining “frozen” in the middle of the road. Ultrasonic devices are available at hardware stores and are a relatively inexpensive way to help prevent vehicle collisions with wildlife.

Ask your municipality to plan wildlife-friendly roads

Urge your local government to plan roads with the interests of wildlife in mind. For example, many wildlife fatalities could be avoided through simple measures such as:

Lowering speed limits in areas heavily travelled by wildlife
Clearing grass and shrubs from the shoulders of roads to deter wildlife from these areas and make them more visible.
Installing overpasses or underpasses for wildlife to safely cross highways

Initiatives have been undertaken in many places in North America, Europe and Australia to protect wildlife from unnecessary motor vehicle collisions. In Canada, the highway that runs through Banff National Park is the best example.

According to Parks Canada, proper fencing of the highway and the construction of wildlife underpasses and overpasses have greatly reduced roadkill deaths. It was largely due to the public advocating for the value of wildlife protection that these measures were put in place.

Show compassion for injured animals

Often, concerned motorists do not know what to do when they pass injured animals on busy roads. Sometimes it is impossible to interfere without risking your own safety, so it is important to use good judgment in these situations. If it seems unsafe to stop, call for help as soon as possible.

If you do not know the phone number of your closest wildlife rehabilitation centre or municipal animal control, dial the operator for assistance, or call 311.

If you are able to stop and assist an injured animal, you will need to do so with caution. Wild animals do not understand you are attempting to help them and they may become aggressive. You may want to have the following items in your car in case of emergency:

Ventilated cardboard box or cardboard cat carrier
Towel, blanket and pillowcase
Protective eyewear
Rubber gloves
Thick work gloves
Thin board to use as a stretcher
Collapsible safety cones or pylons
Rubber mat or similar item to handle porcupines

If you can safely do so, pull over to the shoulder and turn on your four-way flashing lights. If you do not feel comfortable handling the animal and you have a cell phone, call for assistance. If the animal cannot be moved, place a pylon near the animal until help arrives. This will alert traffic and reduce the animal’s chances of being hit again.

If the animal appears non-aggressive and is small enough to carry, carefully place it in a towel lined box and drive to a nearby wildlife rehabilitation centre or veterinary clinic. Otherwise, carefully place the animal on the stretcher board and drag him off the road. Moving dead animals to the side of the road can also prevent further accidents. An animal’s mate or young are at risk if they venture out onto the road in an attempt to help their family member. Predators and domestic animals are also at risk if an animal’s body remains on the road and serves as a source of interest to them.

Turtles, frogs and other slow-moving animals are frequent victims of vehicle collisions. Whenever possible, take time to help them cross the road. Always move the animal in the direction in which they were headed initially, otherwise, they will only turn around and go back across the road.

Give wildlife a voice

Talk to your friends and family about wildlife friendly driving habits so that more people are taking steps to help protect wildlife!

For a list of wildlife rehabilitators, and to find one closest to you, click here.

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.

One of the questions we receive at our animal centres is how to stop dogs from marking territory indoors. We have some simple tips you can follow to help avoid this from happening in your home!

Why do dogs mark indoors?

If you are a dog parent, you may be familiar with the term “marking.” Marking is a very common behaviour in dogs as it is used as a way to communicate. It can also be an anxiety-based reaction. Most commonly, dogs will mark certain household objects, like beds, doors and toys to communicate their claim over them.

What to do if your dog is marking indoors

First, take your dog to the vet to confirm there is not an underlying medical issue causing the marking behaviour. You’ll also want to make sure your animal is spayed or neutered. Unneutered male dogs are more likely to mark their territory, so neutering can significantly decrease urine marking behaviours – plus it helps reduce pet overpopulation!

If your dog is confirmed to have no medical concerns, here are some techniques to help curb or lessen marking in the home:

Go back to the basics

Whether your dog is a puppy or an adult, make sure they have plenty of time outside to relieve themselves and expend extra energy. This may mean re-establishing a housetraining system for some time where they are taken out every two hours and rewarded with a high value treat every time they eliminate outside.
Pairing positive reinforcement with outdoor marking will help shift their urinating habits as they will notice that good things happen when they eliminate outside.

Block access points

If there is one area or item in the home the dog is continuing to mark on, try to block access points to this item.
If an area cannot be blocked, try changing the meaning of that area by using it as a play or training area, giving treats and a variety of distractions. Enrichment items, such as frozen Kongs or food puzzles, are helpful in keeping your dog focused on more rewarding matters.
In the case you cannot supervise your dog, make sure to crate train or have a separate area where you leave your dog to reduce the chance of marking inside when they’re alone.

Remove odours

Removing existing odours and stains is an important step in limiting indoor marking behaviours, as it will help reduce the likelihood of re-marking the spot. Using an enzymatic animal-specific cleaner for eliminating urine odor will help neutralize the commonly marked areas.

Remember to be patient with your dog. Working together, you can improve behaviours and enjoy your home together!