18 19 Brant County SPCA helps people and pets Imagine walking kilometres to the grocery store. You can only afford to go once per month, but your pet’s food is always at the top of your list. It’s a struggle the Brant County SPCA in Brantford is working to solve through Pets for Life. A program of the Humane Society of the United States, Pets for Life reaches underserved communities to offer pet care resources, services and information. “These people love their animals, but have trouble providing resources such as spay/ neuter, proper food or vaccinations,” says Robin Kuchma, Executive Director, Brant County SPCA. “They have barriers; some are financial, but it could be transportation or their proximity to vet clinics and other resources.” Pets for Life is still in its infancy in the County of Brant, but is already changing lives. “We have identified what is important is making sure no animals go hungry, so we have set up food pantries in several social housing units,” says Kuchma, who is working closely with the municipality. “By providing on-site food and litter supplies, residents don’t have to worry if they get low on supplies or have none.” Local resident Randy Roberts is thankful for the help. His two dogs – Cash and Bindi – serve as emotional supports to ease his depression. Roberts, who relies on the Ontario Disability Support Program, says he finds it difficult to make ends meet. “I had to put most of my money into their food,” he says. “Then I’d have to go to food banks. I’d make sure they were taken care of, and then I’d kind of supplement my food.” The Brant County SPCA is also hosting rabies and microchip clinics. A mobile spay/neuter clinic, in partnership with the Welland & District SPCA, is planned and wellness clinics are also in the works. The ultimate goal is to assist underserved members of the community with veterinary care. “Pets for Life is better for animals and people,” Kuchma says. “By breaking down barriers, animals will live a healthier, longer, more comfortable life.” Quinte plans new shelter The Quinte Humane Society is edging closer to a new $10 million animal shelter that will revolutionize care for homeless animals in the area. The most recent show of support came from Quinte West council, which committed $250,000 over four years. Plans for the 17,000 sq. ft. facility include comfortable living space for 64 cats and 28 dogs, a spay/neuter clinic, as well as a dedicated meet and greet space and a grooming room. A 6.2-acre property has been purchased for the new shelter and is centrally situated between Quinte West and Belleville. Trails will be constructed throughout the wooded property for shelter dogs. “We’ve got a really well-thought-out building and, for the size, it’s going to be very efficient,” says Frank Rockett, Executive Director, Quinte Humane Society. Randy Roberts poses with Cash and Bindi. Resources available through Pets for Life help him care for his dogs. The Quinte Humane Society is fundraising to build a 17,000 sq. ft. animal shelter, shown in this artist’s rendering. Partnerships in Animal Welfare Thunder Bay spay/neuter clinic tackles local pet overpopulation To address the issue of pet overpopulation, the Thunder Bay & District Humane Society opened a high-volume spay/neuter clinic to the public. The Thunder Bay & District Humane Society Veterinary Clinic opened in the fall of 2018 and began by spaying and neutering animals at the shelter to prepare them for adoption. Two months later, it began offering spay/neuter services to the public. The response was overwhelming. After only three days of the registration being open to the public, the Thunder Bay & District Humane Society saw 600 pet owners register their animals. In only three months, over 1,000 animals had been spayed or neutered, approximately half of which were mature pets. “Every rescue in Thunder Bay is always filled with animals, so we’re trying to find a solution to the problem rather than a Band-Aid fix of taking them into a shelter and adopting them out,” says Dr. Randi Roberts, the veterinarian performing the spay/neuter procedures. “We’re also providing the community with another option. Every pet owner should be able to access veterinary care.” Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes rehomes record number of animals More than 800 animals found loving homes at the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes in 2018, a milestone number for the shelter. That number is up considerably from the approximately 300 animals adopted into new homes in 2012. “We are out in the community and people are seeing what we do for the animals,” says Henny Venus, Executive Director, Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes. “We’re showing them that shelter animals are not broken animals and that they make great pets and deserve loving homes.” In addition to participating in adoption events, including iAdopt for the Holidays and PetSmart adoption days, the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes raises attention – and critical funds – each year at its annual golf tournament. The tournament celebrated its 20th year on August 23, 2018 and was sold out for the third year in a row, with 140 golfers teeing off. It raised over $12,000 for local animals in need and, in the process, raised awareness about the humane society and the life-saving work it does daily. “We are filling the need in the Kawarthas,” says Venus. “The Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes is better connected with its community and will continue to be a key player for animal welfare in the Kawarthas.” Mobile adoption unit brings pets to the people You can’t miss the new Lincoln County Humane Society mobile adoption unit. When a blue pickup truck – license plate “Adoption” – decked out in white dog bone graphics pulls up with a large blue trailer in tow, you’ll know it has arrived. Outfitted with 42 crates, the climate controlled unit features sides that lift up, revealing glass panes that allow potential adopters to view the animals inside. To date, over 200 animals have had their lives changed through the adoption unit. “It has definitely had a positive impact on the animals. It’s certainly meeting the mission of saving lives,” says Kevin Strooband, Executive Director, Lincoln County Humane Society. Future plans include bringing the unit to non-animal related events to reach a wider range of potential adopters. “We wanted to go where the people are,” says Strooband. “It’s nice to say, ‘Come to the humane society,’ and some people do, but to be able to bring the animals to them, it has just been so successful.” Mission Pawsible makes the impossible possible Racing against the clock to get pledges to help upgrade the kennels, community leaders spent time inside dog kennels at the Oakville & Milton Humane Society on May 5, 2018 for a fundraising initiative dubbed Mission Pawsible. Once in their kennels, participants were not released until they reached their fundraising goal. To help raise the funds needed to create a safer and more comfortable living space for the dogs, these “pets” made phone calls and posted on social media to raise pledges to meet their goal and be “adopted.” “The community came together to make this so successful,” says Rick Perciante, Executive Director, Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS). “That was my first week at OMHS and I felt so fortunate to witness the incredible enthusiasm and compassion from the community.” Thanks to participants and their supporters, $30,000 was raised to upgrade the dog kennels and help the animals at the humane society. The event was such a success that the second annual Mission Pawsible is planned for June 2019. Tim was one of more than 800 animals adopted. Potential adopters meet cats inside the Lincoln County Humane Society’s mobile adoption unit. Mission Pawsible participants raised $30,000 to upgrade the dog kennels at the Oakville & Milton Humane Society. Partnerships in Animal Welfare