16 17 Pet Valu Animal Rescue Express hits the road in North Bay Over 1,000 pets brought to Sarnia & District Humane Society’s first free wellness clinic When the North Bay and District Humane Society gets a call about a partner humane society or rescue organization at capacity, it’s now in a position to hitch up and head out to help. The Pet Valu Animal Rescue Express rolled out in April 2018. The North Bay and District Humane Society soon began fielding calls from humane societies and rescue groups in Northern Ontario that were at capacity. From Thunder Bay to Toronto, and everywhere in between, the Pet Valu Animal Express has been relocating animals to shelters for adoption. The truck and trailer were made possible through a grant from Pet Valu. In 2018, over 300 animals were transported to find new homes. “We are working on transferring pets out of communities where they don’t necessarily have a chance at adoption, to larger centres where they can have a chance at a second home,” says Liam Cullin, Executive Director, North Bay and District Humane Society. “It has been a great experience to build relationships with other organizations, and similarly minded people, and just be able to help each other out.” With the help of a PetSmart Charities Grant, the Sarnia & District Humane Society held its first free wellness clinic in late 2018. The clinic took place on November 9 at the Inn of the Good Shepherd, a local not-for-profit organization that provides services to those who are in need of food, shelter and other essentials. Close to 1,000 animals received the care they needed. The Inn of the Good Shepherd was instrumental in getting the word out about the free wellness clinic, while volunteers, staff and Board members worked together to keep the very busy day on schedule. Dr. Rodger Griffiths of Bright’s Grove Animal Hospital generously brought extra supplies to ensure the clinic had the resources needed. “It was truly a community effort,” says Donna Pyette, Executive Director, Sarnia & District Humane Society. “The many people who came through the clinic were so grateful to be given an opportunity to do something for their pets, who bring so much to their lives.” Microchip initiative aims to reduce unclaimed strays at Timmins shelter To help unite more lost pets with their families, the Timmins & District Humane Society has started offering microchipping services to the public. “Before we started the chipping, we always ran the microchip scanner past them and would be completely surprised if they had one,” says Alicia Santamaria, Executive Director, Timmins & District Humane Society. Microchipping was offered on a trial basis in 2018, inviting members from the public to bring their dogs or cats to get microchipped. It was so well received that plans are now underway for a stand-alone microchip clinic. Adopters can also choose to have their new pet microchipped before bringing them home. “At times, especially in the spring months, we see a lot of strays come in. It’s difficult on the animals and it can get stressful for staff and volunteers because the shelter gets so full,” says Santamaria. “We know it’s going to take a bit of time before we get to the point where the bulk of our strays coming in are chipped, but we’re hoping to get there.” Erin Brûlé from the Timmins & District Humane Society with Princess. To help reunite lost pets, the humane society is offering microchipping services. Representatives from Pet Valu Canada and the North Bay and District Humane Society officially launch the Pet Valu Animal Rescue Express with a cheque presentation at the Ontario SPCA Educational Conference. Partnerships in Animal Welfare To do its part to help control pet overpopulation, the Stratford-Perth Humane Society has opened a public high-volume, self-sustaining spay/neuter clinic. The new spay/neuter services are offered on site at Stratford-Perth Humane Society, which has had its own program in place since 2016 to “fix” shelter animals before they were placed up for adoption. Now those services are open to the public and rescue groups, regardless of geography or income level. The clinic will offer vaccines, flea treatment and microchip services with spay/neuter procedures for cats and dogs. “With it being primarily a rural community, we recognize that there’s a higher population of un-spayed un-neutered pets, beyond even feral animals,” says Kathrin Delutis, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford-Perth, two sister societies. “We really felt this is something that would allow us to make an impact in our community.” Thanks to funding by PetSmart Charities, the spay/neuter services will also include a trap, neuter, return program (TNR) for those who care for feral cats. Gala raises $97,000 for the Humane Society of Durham Region The Humane Society of Durham Region knows how to throw a party – raising $97,000 in the process to help animals in need. Celebrating its third year, the Society’s 2018 Wine & Whiskers Gala was bigger and better than ever before. Over 150 guests came out to the James Bond Casino Royale-themed event, which was held in October at the Ajax Convention Centre. The real action of the evening was when the humane society revealed its plan to build an animal hospital at their shelter. In just a short time, the audience donated $27,000 towards an x-ray machine. Once built, the animal hospital will allow shelter animals to receive medical care on site. Karen Koene, co-chair of the event and Director of the Humane Society of Durham Region Board of Directors, attributes the success of the event to the dedicated volunteers – including humane society staff who donate their time – and community supporters who make it possible. “It is necessary to have volunteers who are as passionate as you are,” says Koene. “When you work with incredible people you get great results.” Guests enjoy themselves at the Humane Society of Durham Region’s Wine & Whiskers Gala. A cat is examined at the Stratford-Perth Humane Society’s new public high-volume, self-sustaining spay/neuter clinic. Stratford-Perth Humane Society opens spay/neuter services to the public Partnerships in Animal Welfare Introducing Niagara SPCA and Humane Society In a move designed to help more animals, the Welland & District SPCA and the Niagara Falls Humane Society have amalgamated to become the Niagara SPCA and Humane Society. The process of merging began in August 2018, uniting the two organizations, which are located about 25 kilometres apart. The move makes the Niagara SPCA and Humane Society the first regional animal welfare charity in the province. “That two large charities are coming together as one, for the wellness of animals, allows us to stay ahead of the curve,” says John Greer, Executive Director, Niagara SPCA and Humane Society. “With our combined resources, we will be able to serve our communities more effectively and efficiently, resulting in better outcomes for animals.” The two shelters will have greater access to veterinary and shelter medicine, including spay/neuter services. The Director of Veterinary Medicine at the Welland SPCA companion animal hospital will now be able to provide care to the shelter animals at the Niagara location. The region will also have access to a new mobile spay/ neuter clinic and mobile health unit, thanks to a Pet Valu grant. The health unit will be outfitted with equipment to perform x-rays and dental surgeries, making these critical wellness services available to pet owners who may not otherwise have access to that care.