August 2016 

Register Today to Walk for Animals in Need

The Friends For Life! Walk™ presented by Pedigree® is taking place at the Ontario SPCA Provincial Education & Animal Centre on Sunday, September 25^th, 2016! New this year we have live entertainment to accompany our dog agility demonstration and competition, pet marketplace, silent auction, kidzone and complimentary BBQ for all participants!

The Friends for Life! Walk™ is a major fundraiser for the Ontario SPCA and its Affiliates. You don’t need to bring a dog to the Walk to participate. In fact, you don’t even need to own a pet! The Friends for Life! Walk™ is a way for you to give back to your community by helping animals in need.

We can’t do this alone, which is why we need you to go the extra mile to help vulnerable animals.

Take the #NoHotPets Pledge

Did you know that dogs have a limited ability to sweat and that even a short time in a hot environment can be life-threatening? A dog’s normal body temperature is about 39°C, a temperature of 41°C can be withstood only for a very short time before irreparable brain damage or even death can occur.

We need you to help spread the message about the danger of leaving pets unattended in vehicles. Take the pledge to receive a No Hot Pets car decal to show your support. You can also invite friends to take the pledge on social media using #nohotpets for a chance to win a weekly “cool pet” prize.

No Excuses. No Hot Pets. 

Fixing the Pet Overpopulation Crisis Starts With You

Pet overpopulation is at a crisis level in Ontario and we need responsible pet owners like you to spay it forward. By spaying or neutering your pet, you’re doing your part to help reduce the number of homeless animals that end up in animal centres across the province.

Spaying and neutering is a straight-forward medical procedure with many health benefits, including the reduction in the risk of developing certain cancers and illnesses.

The Ontario SPCA’s high-volume spay/neuter clinics are open Monday to Friday, with one Saturday each month.

Adopt a cat during the “iAdopt Urgent Appeal” adoption blitz

Have you been considering adding a cat to your family? Now’s the best time! The Ontario SPCA Provincial Education & Animal Centre will be taking part in an “iAdopt Urgent Appeal” adoption blitz from Aug. 11-21 to help find homes for the recent influx of adult cats in our care.

During this urgent appeal adoption blitz, ALL ADULT CATS will be available for adoption for $50 each*.  All cats are spayed or neutered, microchipped, come with a gift of six weeks of pet insurance and are up to date with their vaccines.

To view animals available for adoption, visit meetyourmatch.ontariospca.ca

*Special adoption fee applies to participating Ontario SPCA Animal Centres only.

Senior Pets Have So Much to Offer

Forming a strong connection with a pet has little to do with the animal’s age at the time of adoption. Adult animals make trusting, loyal companions. Many seem to understand they’ve been given a special “second chance” and form extraordinary bonds with their new families.

Senior pets often make ideal companions for seniors. Adult animals are more likely to be calm, and more easily managed than younger pets. Families with children can also benefit from adopting a mature pet that interacts well with kids, especially if the children are too young to safely handle a younger pet. Puppies and kittens may nip and claw, which can frighten or injure children, and senior pets are often wonderful teachers of patience, gentleness and respect.

Senior pets have much to offer, including plenty of love. Instead of passing by older pets at our adoption centres, take the time to stop and visit our golden oldies. You may discover that you need a special senior in your life as much as he or she needs you!

Mega Pet Adoption Weekend

On July 8-9, the Provincial Education and Animal Centre participated with other adoption facilities at an adoption event at Exhibition Place in Toronto where we found forever homes for 63 cats and dogs in our care, found their new forever homes.

Potentional adopters came out to this annual event looking to find a new family member. Pets of all ages, sizes and colours were matched with wonderful new families.

Thank you to everyone who came out and adopted their new best friend!