Search Results for: enrichment

• The importance of trust building exercises

  Trust building exercises build confidence in an animal through repetition of known behaviours. This allows them to know what’s wanted or needed of them in a certain moment or situation, helping to eliminate the guess work. It can be exercises that we teach an animal to build a relationship and trust with their handler through […]

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• April 4, 2025

  It’s happening meow: Animal centres gear up for kitten season

  Kitten season is upon us, which means it’s the time of year when Ontario SPCA animal centres see an increase in the number of feline families, pregnant cats and litters of orphaned kittens come into their care.    During this busy time at Ontario SPCA animal centres across the province, our staff and volunteers are focused […]

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• March 6, 2025

  How to enrich your small animal’s environment

  Small animals have specific needs, just like cats and dogs. With a few simple steps, you can enrich your pet’s environment!  Environmental Enrichment  Hiding  All small animals need the opportunity to hide. Many of the small animals in our animal centres are a prey species and so they may feel threatened or startled by any […]

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• February 28, 2025

  Joining Paws: Updates to the Ontario SPCA’s Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre

  We have some exciting news to share!  The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre (PDRC) is now able to support dogs from other SPCAs and Humane Societies to help give them the extra TLC they need to find loving homes.  The Ontario SPCA Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre opened in 2023 in Peterborough […]

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• January 13, 2025

  Indoor activities for your pets during the winter months

  The winter can often mean more time spent indoors for us and for our furry family members. There are many benefits to spending time indoors with your animals, such as bonding and being in a comfortable, supervised space. We’ve put together a few activities that you can do at home to keep your furry friend […]

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• December 27, 2024

  How much company does my rabbit need?

  Rabbits are naturally sociable animals, and they enjoy the company of other rabbits if introduced properly. To prevent your rabbit from getting bored and lonely, providing them with lots of enrichment, a good environment and socialization is key. It’s always fun when your rabbit can make new friends.   The RSPCA outlines some information on what […]

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• December 6, 2024

  Bringing a cat home for the holidays

  The holiday season is a magical time to open your heart—and home—to a new furry family member. If you are planning to spend the holidays at home, it’s the perfect opportunity to help a newly adopted cat adjust to their surroundings. Here are some tips to make your home welcoming and safe for your new […]

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• December 5, 2024

  Thinking of adopting a VIP animal? Read the FAQs about VIPs

  If you’ve been thinking of adopting an animal from the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, you may have noticed the VIP status on some of the animals on our adoption page. VIP stands for Very Important Paws and these furry friends make very amazing friends!    You may have questions about our VIP program, and we […]

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• December 2, 2024

  Give the gift a loving home this holiday season

  It’s the most wonderful time of the year – the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s iAdopt for the Holidays campaign! With many people enjoying time off and being home together as a family, now is the perfect time to welcome an animal into your life if you’ve been thinking of adopting.    The goal is to […]

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• November 7, 2024

  How to bond with your guinea pig

  Guinea pigs are incredibly gentle animals and can be great companions for families! But it is important to socialize and bond with your guinea pig to ensure they don’t become shy and skittish.   Here are four important considerations to help with socializing your new furry friend:   Easily accessible hiding spots Ensure there are a lot […]

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• October 3, 2024

  Commonly asked questions about RVT’s

  The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society has some wonderful Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) employed within our organization. October is RVT Month and we are excited to have a whole month to celebrate them!  It’s no secret that a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is an integral part of any animal health care team, but they are […]

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• September 26, 2024

  6 styles of play for your cat

  Did you know that while a cat’s natural instinct is to hunt and play, not all cats play the same way? To help encourage play behaviour, it can be helpful to find out what type of play your cat prefers. From chasing and stalking to birding play (where the cat’s focus is primarily in the […]

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