4 5 Ontario SPCA and Humane Society to roll out new programs and services in 2019 The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is proud and excited to introduce its new Ontario SPCA Animal Rescue program. This new initiative provides crisis intervention services to respond to the needs of vulnerable animals in urgent situations such as fires, floods or hurricanes and, on a local level, in situations of hoarding. “The Ontario SPCA has the expertise to assist in times of crisis to protect animal life,” says Daryl Vaillancourt, Chief, Humane Programs & Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “Ontario SPCA Animal Rescue is designed to be a support service to ensure animals receive the necessary care during urgent and crisis situations.” Ontario SPCA Animal Rescue is a new program with a focused approach and a dedicated team, but the work of rescuing animals is not new to the Society. Since 1873, the Ontario SPCA has been providing care and shelter for tens of thousands of animals each year. The Society is focused on preventing cruelty to animals, promoting animal advocacy, providing humane education, sheltering, fostering and adoptions, crisis intervention, mobile veterinary services and animal rescue. Also new for 2019 is a mobile spay/neuter unit operated by the Ontario SPCA. Through this new mobile surgical hospital, the Ontario SPCA can deliver spay/neuter procedures where they are needed most. The goal of the Society is to give pet owners access to spay/neuter services by removing many of the barriers that prevent them from having their pets spayed or neutered. “Through our new mobile surgical hospital we will reach even more animals,” says Vaillancourt, “which will help reduce pet overpopulation and create healthier communities for animals and people.” Ontario SPCA Animal Rescue provides crisis intervention services to respond to the needs of vulnerable animals in urgent situations. AnimalSmart™ lesson plans teach kids compassion for animals Imagine a future where all people in Ontario respect and appreciate animals. That’s the vision of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, which is using education to prevent animal cruelty. The Ontario SPCA’s dynamic, educational AnimalSmart™ series was introduced in 2018 to empower youth to become a more informed, respectful and compassionate generation. This inquiry-led, play- based learning model addresses a variety of the Ontario Ministry of Education’s curriculum expectations. “AnimalSmart was developed to foster compassion and develop healthy relationships between animals and people,” says Amanda McKibbon, Director, Affiliate & Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “Today’s children are our future pet parents and future community leaders, which is why it’s critical that we instill in them knowledge of, and appreciation for, animals.” AnimalSmart lesson plans  develop and maintain positive relationships with pets by helping children develop the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and skills needed to become responsible pet caregivers. The plans also foster positive relationships with pets to enhance children’s social and emotional development. In addition, the series highlights the importance of safety and the prevention of pet related injuries, such as bites. To learn more, or to download lesson plans, visit animalsmart.ca AnimalSmart™ lessons empower youth to become informed, respectful and compassionate. News Updates in Animal Welfare Indigenous partnerships create healthy communities for animals and people Close to 2,000 kilometres separates the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society from Naotkamegwanning First Nation (Whitefish Bay), but the connection they share over animal wellness makes them neighbours and friends. In many Northern communities, access to animal wellness services, such as veterinarians and spay/neuter services, are often limited. As a result, there is an abundance of dogs in Northern Canada who need resources and support. Since 2015, the Ontario SPCA has been partnering with Whitefish Bay, located near the Ontario-Manitoba border, to support community dogs and provide resources such as spay/neuter services. When the Ontario SPCA returned to the community in October 2018 to transfer dogs, the Society was invited to participate in cultural ceremonies and also worked alongside community leaders to develop a community animal management strategy. “It was an amazing experience to be invited to Whitefish Bay,” says Kristy Kirk, Animal Care Attendant and Volunteer Coordinator, Ontario SPCA Muskoka Animal Centre. “It was really special to be invited to a ceremony and have the opportunity to listen to the stories of the community members.” One of the highlights of that trip was speaking at a local school. Giggles erupted when Ontario SPCA presenters did a role-playing exercise where they pretended to be a dog interacting with a student. The exercise showed students how to interact with strange dogs and may have kept one student safe. “We learned from a community member not long after we left that a young person had been in such a situation and, recalling what she had learned, was able to stay safe,” says Judi Cannon, Director, Partnerships & Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “This is a perfect example of the positive impact humane education can have on a community. It gives people the tools they need to feel empowered and better equipped to understand and interact with animals.” Whitefish Bay is one of over 20 Indigenous communities the Ontario SPCA worked alongside in 2018, through its Year of the Northern Dog program. With its partners, the Ontario SPCA developed a network of individuals, organizations and communities aimed at bringing awareness to the issue and working alongside Northern communities with a common goal – to change lives. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers, the vision of partners and the compassion of Northern communities, over 550 animals were transported South in 2018 to find new homes. To learn how you can get involved, visit northernanimals.ca Students in Whitefish Bay laugh as Ontario SPCA presenters pretend to be a dog interacting with a student. The role playing showed children at the school how to safely interact with strange dogs. Wartime contributions of animals remembered through commemorative pins The wartime contributions of animals are being recognized through a series of commemorative pins unveiled by the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. In 2018, a new pin was added to the collection, this time featuring a dog. Over 1,600 pins were worn proudly last year for Remembrance Day by animal lovers across the province. For each pin sold, $1 is donated to the Royal Canadian Legion to support veterans. “One of our customers shared that she would wear this pin with pride as her great-great-grandfather rode a horse during the war,” says Carol Beard, Manager, Ontario SPCA Orillia Animal Centre. “She couldn’t think of a better way to honour him.” A variety of animals have served in wartime. Mules carried artillery, horses transported troops and hauled field guns, pigeons delivered crucial messages and dogs served as messengers, medical assistants, bomb detectors and search and rescue workers. The Animals in War pin is available online at pawsandgive.ca and at Ontario SPCA animal centres across the province, leading up to Remembrance Day. A cheque is presented from the Ontario SPCA to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 459 in Stouffville. News Updates in Animal Welfare News Updates in Animal Welfare