12 Planes, trains and automobiles deliver over 28,000 lbs of donated pet food to the North Imagine running out of dog or cat food, but there are no stores in your community that have any. If you can find it, the cost could be as much as $90 for a small bag. For many remote Northern communities, this is the struggle. To give pet owners access to much-needed food, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, the Feeding Program for Northern Dogs, CN Rail, North Star Air Ltd. and Rolf C. Hagen Inc. came together in 2018 to deliver a shipment of over 28,000 lbs of pet food to Northern communities. “In remote Northern communities, resources and access to animal wellness services are often limited or non-existent and getting suppliestomanyofthesecommunitiescomeswithobstacles,asmany are accessed by air only,” says Judi Cannon, Director, Partnerships & Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. This donation of dog and cat food by Rolf C. Hagen Inc. is one of the largest in-kind donations in the history of the Ontario SPCA. “Hagen has continually contributed to and supported many animal welfare organizations over the years; but always with a strong focus in Canada, where the company was founded, and is still currently headquartered,” says Katherine Bosina, Manager, Dog & Cat Consumables with Rolf C. Hagen Inc. “We are fortunate enough to be able to help offset some of the tremendous costs the Ontario SPCA incurs to protect and care for animals in need; in all areas of Ontario, including the remote Northern communities. We hope this donation will bring attention to their important work in these areas.” The 29 pallets of cat and dog food were shipped by CN rail from the GTA to Winnipeg where the food was then trucked to Pickle Lake, located approximately 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. The shipment of food arrived at North Star Air’s Pickle Lake base on May 4, 2018 and was then distributed by plane to the various remote communities North Star Air serves. “Part of what we do at CN is support our neighbours and the communities where we operate,” says Daniel Salvatore, Manager, Public Affairs Ontario, CN. “Railroaders have big hearts and are good at getting things done; this project was no exception. CN employees involved in transporting the donated goods by truck and train on our network from Mississauga, Brampton, Winnipeg, and Thunder Bay were proud to be of assistance.” CN Rail prepares to ship a donation of over 28,000 lbs of pet food headed to Northern communities. Celebrating the life-saving work of volunteers Day in and day out, volunteers across the province make a difference as dog walkers, animal transport drivers and everything in between. Over 850 community-minded people volunteer for the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society for one simple reason: to help animals. IncelebrationofNationalVolunteerWeek,twovolunteersareselected by the animal centre they serve for their outstanding volunteer service. Congratulations to Spencer Moore and Kristin Sowerby, the 2018 Outstanding Volunteer Service Award Winners! Spencer is an active community member, yet he still finds time to come into the Leeds & Grenville Animal Centre almost every week to walk dogs, transport animals, or lend a hand at events. Spencer has logged over 50 volunteer hours and has walked more than 120 dogs. He also donates supplies and recently adopted a 12-year-old senior cat named Green Tea. Kristin has been a volunteer at the Ontario SPCA Midland & District Animal Centre since September 2016. Although Kristin works full time and cares for her own crew of furry friends at home, she manages to find the time to give back. After falling in love with a dog at the centre, she now walks the dogs on a regular basis. Her goal is to see every animal in a forever home. Thank you to Spencer and Kristen, and all our volunteers! Your hard work and dedication is changing lives! For information on volunteering, visit ontariospca.ca/volunteer Animals need you. Join the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society as a monthly donor today and help animals 365 days a year. Sign-up today at operationpetrescue.ca News Updates in Animal Welfare