March 2017
March is Fix Your Pet month Pet overpopulation still exists in Ontario as a direct result of animals left unaltered. Each year, tens of thousands of dogs and cats end up on the streets where they fall victim to neglect and abuse, or in shelters in search of new homes. Over 25,000 animals come into the care of the Ontario SPCA every year. Protecting your pet by having them spayed or neutered can help reduce this number and make our community a safer place for our pets. Spaying/neutering pets will reduce health risks and physical stress, and improve behaviour. Fixed pets are also less likely to roam, reducing the risk of injury, accident and loss. Our goal is to help reduce the number of homeless pets and fix as many animals as possible. With that in mind, the Ontario SPCA and its Affiliate Communities operate high-volume, self-sustaining spay/neuter services across the province, including in Newmarket, Barrie and St. Catharines.  The public, shelters, and rescue groups are welcome, regardless of geography or income level. Help us spread the word about this important issue by participating in our Cone of Fame contest. Let’s change the conversation and encourage pet owners to be proud of the cone pets often wear after spay or neuter surgeries. Join the conversation by posting a photo using #ConeOfFame.
Paws & Hooves program at TSC Stores supports animal rescue and adoption Support animal rescue and adoption when you shop for items for your home, farm, yard or outdoor hobby during Paws & Hooves events at TSC Stores in support of the Ontario SPCA and our Affiliate Communities. For every $2 donation, you’ll receive your choice of a paper paw or hoof to be displayed in the store showing your support. To participate, drop by your local TSC Store (The Incredible Country Hardware Store) during one of their upcoming Paws & Hooves events: April 7 – April 30 May 26 – June 8 July 14 – July 26 Oct 20 – Nov 2 Dec 1 – Dec 14 By participating in the Paws & Hooves program, you’re making a difference in the lives of animals in need.
Rosa finds a loving family after beating the odds Rosa was surrendered to us with severe medical issues in January. Most puppies are bouncing bundles of energy, but when we met Rosa, a 10-month-old Labrador Retriever/Australian Shepherd mix, she was too weak to stand and could barely lift up her head. We immediately rushed her to a veterinarian who ran a series of tests on the ailing puppy. After spending two full days on intravenous fluids and supportive medication, Rosa started to show signs of improvement. Her test results revealed that the reason for her severe dehydration, lethargy, lack of appetite and vomiting was due to acute renal failure. The underlying cause may never be known, but Rosa was carefully brought back to health by our dedicated staff, volunteers and veterinary partners. Seeing an animal get adopted is always a special day, but it’s a particularly moving moment when that animal overcame so much to get to that moment. We are thrilled that Rosa has found a loving home. Rosa will always be considered a “special needs” dog, but with her adopters she will live a long, good life. Thanks to Rosa’s adopters, and people like you who support our animal centre, animals like Rosa have a second chance at life. We wish Rosa and her new family many happy years ahead!	Dog bite prevention starts with you Have you ever had a close encounter with a dog in which you feared you would be bitten? The majority of the time, dog bites can be prevented by following a few simple rules when it comes to dog behaviour. Most people know to ask first before reaching out to a pet a dog, but are you aware that you should let them sniff your closed hand before attempting to pet them?  While you might automatically reach to pet the dog’s head, to avoid the risk of being bitten, pet the dog’s shoulders and chest instead. There are also verbal cues and body language you need to keep an eye on. A wagging tail or a crouching body doesn’t always mean friendliness, which is why it’s critical to watch the dog’s posture for signs of fear, anxiety or aggression. But what if you’re approached by a dog you don’t know while out for a walk or run? To minimize the risk of being bitten, stay quiet and still. Never run or scream. Visit our blog for more tips on dog bite prevention.
Stay safe during the spring thaw Spring is just around the corner and we’re eager to welcome sunny days ahead. When the weather gets warmer, people and their pets are eager to get outside. Looks can be deceiving though, which is why you need to be cautious. Melting snow can create fast-moving streams and rivers that pose a risk to pets and their owners. Dog owners also have to keep a close eye on their four-legged pals while out on a walk to ensure they don’t ingest any garbage or debris that may have been hidden under the, now melted, snow. Active pooches may also head to the nearest puddle for a drink, which could make them sick if it contains salt or snow melting chemicals.
Community support keeps animal centre stocked with key items Here at the Ontario SPCA Leeds & Grenville Animal Centre we rely on donations from the public in order to operate. We are always in need of items such as cleaning products, office supplies, towels or blankets for bedding, toys for the animals, cat litter, etc. When we are in urgent need of a particular item we appeal to the public, often through social media.  Recently we were in need of paper towels and made an appeal on Facebook. Only moments later someone very generous stopped by to anonymously donate a large supply! We appreciate the ongoing support and are very thankful for all of the generous donations we receive time and time again. Thank you for your continued support!	Remembering a dedicated volunteer It’s with great sadness that we recently learned about the passing of one of our long-time volunteers. Judy Stakenvicius was a volunteer with the Ontario SPCA Leeds & Grenville Animal Centre for many years. It was always the highlight of her day to come in and socialize with our cats and small animals. Judy would bring her own apron and sit in a chair with a cat in her lap and a huge smile on her face. Judy was a big supporter of the Ontario SPCA and loved seeing and hearing about all the work we did here for the animals. If any of the staff were away when she was on shift, she would ask about them to see if they were okay. Christmas was always a special time for Judy, and she liked to share it with everyone at the centre by bringing in a card and some goodies for all the staff. All of us at the Leeds & Grenville Animal Centre are deeply saddened by the news of Judy’s passing and will miss her bright smile. Thank you, Judy, for all your support. We will miss you!

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Newshound is a free electronic newsletter published monthly by the Ontario SPCA to inform our supporters and friends of animal welfare about Ontario SPCA Community initiatives, programs, events and experiences. Contents of Newshound may be reproduced with appropriate credit.

Ontario SPCA Leeds & Grenville Animal Centre
RR#4 800 Centennial Road, Brockville, ON K6V 5T4
Charitable Business #88969-1044-RR0002

Phone: (613) 345-5520
Fax:  (613) 345-2169
Email: leedsgrenville@ospca.on.ca

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