Page 8 – Ontario SPCA

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUDBURY, ON (Dec. 8, 2025) – Just months after opening, the Ontario SPCA Sudbury Regional Veterinary Clinic is improving access to veterinary care by providing essential services that support animals, families, and communities across Northern Ontario.

Since opening its doors in July, the clinic has performed 565 spay/neuter surgeries, preventing an estimated 31,720 potentially unwanted offspring. The team has also performed 228 wellness examinations and administered 296 vaccines to help protect community pets from preventable diseases. It also provided 40 end-of-life care appointments, ensuring families have access to compassionate support during difficult times.

“These results highlight just how vital this clinic is for Northern communities,” says Sonya Reichel, Vice President of Operations, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “By increasing access to veterinary care, we’re helping keep pets healthy, supporting families, and reducing pet overpopulation across the region.”

Located at 21 Lasalle Blvd. on the Collège Boréal campus, the Sudbury clinic offers spay/neuter and basic veterinary services for publicly owned dogs and cats, local rescue organizations, and animals in the care of the Ontario SPCA Sudbury & District Animal Centre.

In addition to serving the community, the clinic continues to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students enrolled in Collège Boréal’s Veterinary Care Technician program. Students gain valuable real-world experience as they prepare to meet the growing demand for veterinary professionals across the North.

Registration for monthly spay/neuter appointments continues to take place once a month through the Ontario SPCA website. For upcoming registration dates, visit ontariospca.ca/spayneuter

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 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 Sudbury Regional Veterinary Clinic is located on the traditional lands of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. The Greater City of Sudbury also includes the traditional lands of the Wahnapitae First Nation.

About Collège Boréal

Founded in Sudbury in 1995, Collège Boréal is a French-language postsecondary institution committed to the development and growth of the various Ontario communities it serves. With 34 sites including eight campuses in 27 communities, Boréal offers high-level expertise in postsecondary education with the highest graduate and employer satisfaction rates among Ontario’s 24 community colleges.

Its services also include basic training, apprenticeship, immigration and integration services, employment services, continuing education, customized training and applied research.

Collège Boréal’s Veterinary Care Technician program is proudly accredited by the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT) and the College of Veterinarians of Ontario. This program also has a Certificate of Good Animal Practice (GAP) issued by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) and is certified under the Animals for Research Act issued by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. For more details: visit collegeboreal.ca/en/programme/veterinary-care-technician.

Some dog breeds need a little extra protection during the winter months. If your dog falls into that category, we hope you find these tips helpful for fitting your dog for a winter coat!

Tips to fit your dog for a winter coat

To keep your furry friend suitably protected, you should consider a dog coat to keep them comfortable during winter walks or potty breaks. Even heavier-coated dogs may appreciate a raincoat for those wet and gloomy days.

Ideally, walking into a pet store (that welcomes animals!) with your dog is the best way to ensure the canine coat you’re interested in will fit. Alternatively, you can simply measure your furry friend at home and then visit a variety of stores or browse online for the coat that will work best for your animal.

Measurement tips:

Use a soft or paper measuring tape.
Your dog should be standing up on all fours, not sitting or lying down.
Allow an extra inch or two in length to accommodate movement.
Measurements should include from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, the circumference of the neck, the chest width and the circumference of the chest.

Many canine coat manufacturers will offer sizing and breed tips for their products on their company website. You can also ask someone at your local pet store to help you fit your dog with the right coat.

We hope these tips help keep your furry friend warm this winter!

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.

Donate now

Dogs are exceptional animals, and their ability and desire to form deep and loving bonds with humans is extraordinary. By adopting, you are truly giving your dog an amazing gift – a second chance.

Following an adoption, it may take a few weeks or months for you and your dog to fully adjust to your new life together, and to establish a relationship based on mutual understanding, trust and respect. Be patient. Remember, there is a reason you’ve chosen this dog, or they have chosen you!

The following adoption tips will help you bring out your dog’s superstar qualities.

Help your dog relax at home alone

Adopted dogs usually form deep bonds with their new parents, and in the beginning, separation may be emotional for you both. Help give your dog the confidence to be home alone by incorporating the following confidence-building tips into their day. Begin using these tips as soon as you bring your new friend home.

Leave the house frequently for short periods by walking out the door, closing it, and then returning. Once your dog is comfortable with short departures, randomly include some longer departures.
Ignore your dog during departures and arrivals (be very casual – don’t look back!).
Practice mini departures inside by closing doors when you take a shower, use the bathroom, etc.
Studies have shown that dogs are calmed by classical music, so consider changing your radio station.
Try to stay relaxed (if you’re anxious, your dog’s anxiety will increase).
Give your dog a safe chew toy stuffed with treats before you leave the house.

A dog with severe separation anxiety may destroy property, bark incessantly, scratch around doors or windows, or injure themselves in a frenzied panic. Speak to a dog trainer, animal behaviourist or veterinarian for ways to increase your dog’s comfort when they are home alone. Learn more about separation anxiety.

Establish household rules and routines

If your dog is living with more than one person, it is especially important that rules and routines are followed by every member of the household to encourage consistency and to give your dog stability and leadership. The more consistent your family is, the quicker your dog can figure things out.

Lack of routine, yelling at your dog for doing things wrong, or letting them make up their own rules will only make your dog anxious and unsettled. Consider incorporating some of the following rules and routines into your household.

Feed your dog high-quality meals on a regular schedule in a quiet place.
Offer your dog plenty of enrichment throughout the day, such as going for walks. Active dogs may also require vigorous off-leash exercise in a secure area.
Until your dog is housetrained, sleeping in a crate in someone’s bedroom is recommended. Once they can hold it all night, they can graduate to sleeping on their own.
Use treats as rewards for good behaviour (such as lying down quietly), or as training aids. Do not feed your dog from the table or when they are whining, barking or pawing you.
Teach your dog that they must ask for things by sitting politely, rather than by making demands (e.g. barking/pawing). Before giving them the things they value, such as meals, wait for them to sit. Turn away if they start barking and/or jumping.

Take a dog training class

Taking your dog – and your family – to dog training classes is a wonderful and fun way to help you understand how your dog thinks and learns, and how to motivate him or her to repeat behaviours you like!

You can also have a trainer visit your home for private sessions. While costs vary, the investment will repay itself many times over throughout the life of your dog. A good class can put you in a room full of other new dog parents just like yourself, answer all your day-to-day questions, and help address the minor issues that may arise.

Look for a trainer that uses “positive-reinforcement” techniques that are humane and fun, including “lure-rewarding” (using treats to lure dogs into position), and “clicker training” (marking the exact moment the dog is doing the desired behaviour using a small device that makes a “click” – followed by feeding a treat).

Learn more about positive reinforcement training.

Check out our blog for more training tips.

With these tips in mind, we hope you enjoy the journey of welcoming a new furry family member into your home!

Donate now

At the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, we strive to find loving homes for the animals that come into our care. Sometimes community cats, which some people refer to as feral cats, end up in our animal centres and cannot be returned to their original colony site, for various reasons. The Ontario SPCA believes in finding an alternative home for these cats by giving them “jobs” as working cats!

Where would working cats be a good fit?

Working cats are healthy, sterilized, vaccinated, microchipped, ear tipped and in need of a new, non-traditional home environment. Some examples of these new homes we are looking for could include barns, stables, auto repair shops, woodworking shops, wineries, breweries, greenhouses/nurseries/garden centres, churches, storage facilities/warehouses.

What kind of cat can you expect?

Working cats are not suited to be your typical indoor pets and, as unsocialized animals, they have no desire to be lap cats. These are working cats – former street cats who are used to outdoor life – and they prefer minimal to no human contact. But they will also happily tend to any mouse, mole or vermin problems for the small cost of a bowl of cat food and water set out daily, veterinary care as needed and shelter in a garage, barn etc.

And because we spay/neuter these cats before they leave the Ontario SPCA, adopters never need to worry about endless litters of kittens!

How much does it cost to adopt a working cat?

The adoption fee is waived; however, we gladly accept donations to help sustain the program. You will be responsible for ongoing veterinary care (as necessary), food, water and shelter.

*Though the adoption itself is free, we require each working cat to go home with a feral cat winter shelter, so that the cat can be provided with a warm space during the winter months. The cost for each shelter is $20.

Interested in adopting a working cat? Read the FAQ on our website.

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.

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.

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.