January 2017

Bake a difference during National Cupcake Day™

We have some fantastic volunteer and fundraising opportunities with our upcoming National Cupcake Day™ campaign! By participating in National Cupcake Day, one of our largest fundraising events, you are directly supporting animals in need at the Provincial Education and Animal Centre (PEAC).

Now in its fifth year, National Cupcake Day is presented in partnership by the Ontario SPCA and BC SPCA and is a collaborative event to support local SPCAs and Humane Societies across the country.

By registering, baking cupcakes with your friends, family or colleagues and hosting a bake sale or cupcake tasting to sell cupcakes, your team will be raising funds that go directly back to the animals at our centre. Cupcake Day parties can be held anywhere, and on any date in January or February. If you have a large group or class, we can even schedule a visit to the Provincial Education & Animal Centre for a tour of the adoption centre and a group photo!

PEAC’s National Cupcake Day Party will be taking place at Newmarket Volvo, located at 301 Mulock Dr., on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Take extra precautions during cold weather

If it’s too cold for you to go outside, it’s too cold for your pet! Every year, the Ontario SPCA investigates thousands of complaints about animals left unprotected from winter weather. Exposure to harsh conditions can cause serious illness or death to animals, particularly during periods of freezing rain and rapid temperature fluctuations.

Keeping pets safe and healthy during the winter months doesn’t end with keeping them warm. There are other hazards to be aware of, including salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice on roads and sidewalks. They can burn your pet’s sensitive paws and can cause illness if ingested. Before your pet heads out into the great outdoors this winter, here’s what you need to know.

Walt found his forever home

You may remember our urgent appeal for a very special three-legged Dachshund named Walt. We’re thrilled to tell you that Walt has been adopted!

Nameless when he came to our centre, this cute little guy was surrendered into our care with a broken hip and femur. Thanks to you, over $4,600 was raised to help with the costs of Walt’s surgery to amputate his badly broken leg. He also owes his name to you! We asked you to help us name him on Facebook and you responded, giving him a new name to go with his new lease on life.

On behalf of Walt, and animals like him, thank you for your support! You make it possible to change lives. Thank you for giving Walt a second chance.

Over 200 animals found homes during iAdopt for the Holidays

iAdopt for the Holidays was a huge success at the Provincial Education & Animal Centre. With the support from our community, over 200 animals found their forever homes between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2016! Special thanks to Arm and Hammer™ which supplied a free box of Clump & Seal™ Lightweight Litter that went home with each cat!

Our iAdopt for the Holidays 2016 campaign focused on featuring positive real-life pet adoption stories as a means to encourage others to adopt. iAdopt aims to educate the public about the importance of choosing pet adoption as their first option when bringing home a new family member.

The Provincial Education & Animal Centre also hosted a holiday cheer event on Dec. 10. Thank you to everyone who visited us to join in the holiday spirit with hot chocolate, festive treats, and pet photos with Santa. It was a great day!

Find your pocket pal
at the rat adopt-a-thon

Looking for a small, low-maintenance pet? Have you considered a rat? Ontario SPCA animal centres across the province recently welcomed a large number of these pocket-sized pets after close to 600 rats were removed from an apartment in North Bay.

To help find homes for our little friends, PetSmart will be hosting a rat adopt-a-thon from Jan. 21 to Feb. 12 at a number of stores across the province. Rats will be available for adoption for only $5 each at participating PetSmart locations in Sudbury, Barrie, Newmarket, Vaughan, East Brampton, Scarborough, Pickering, Whitby, Peterborough, Cornwall, Belleville, Kingston and North Bay, Richmond Hill and Toronto.

The rats are patiently waiting to find a loving home. Could it be yours? 

Tell us your favourite pet brands

We want to hear from you! Take our survey about your pets, pet suppliers and favourite pet-related brands and you’ll be entered to win a $100 prepaid Mastercard®!

Knowing which companies you know and trust guides us as we work to develop new partnerships that will be of value to supporters like you, while also helping the animals in our care.