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.
Bella needs your help! At only seven months old, Bella has been through so much. This brave little Chihuahua came into our care with a badly broken leg and was referred to an emergency clinic. X-rays revealed she had two broken bones in her front leg that required surgery to correct. Metal plates and screws were needed to repair the damage to her tiny leg. It has been a long road to recovery, but Bella has found a loving home to call her own. It didn’t take long for this beautiful girl to be adopted! Bella’s story has a happy ending, but our fundraising goal to help recover the costs of her surgery and care is far from being reached. We need your help. Will you make a special gift today to help animals like Bella get the life-saving care they require?	Cherry is officially home after corrective surgery on her eye We love happy endings! We’re thrilled to tell you that Cherry (aka Lucy) has found a wonderful new home. Cherry arrived as a stray with a severe case of entropion, a medical condition in which the eyelid folds inward, requiring corrective surgery. We held Cherry in hopes that an owner would come forward. When no one claimed her, she was placed up for adoption. She went into a foster-to-adopt home until she was spayed and her entropion (Cherry eye) corrected. She then, finally, became an official part of her new family! Congratulations to Cherry and her new family. We wish you many years of happiness together.
National Cupcake Day™ was a sweet success We are so excited for the final tally to come in from National Cupcake Day™ for SPCAs and Humane Societies, which took place on Feb. 27. It was a tremendous event that saw businesses, media outlets, schools and individuals come together to make this year’s National Cupcake Day a success. This year we had The UPS Store become a weekly sponsor for our National Cupcake Day fundraiser here at the Orillia Animal Centre. Sponsorship is a vital way to help with this important event. Thank you to everyone at the UPS Store for their continued support! We received so much support from the community this year during National Cupcake Day to help animals in need. It would not have been as successful without you – our loyal community members. Thank you to everyone who showed their support for the Ontario SPCA Orillia Animal Centre. It’s not too early to start thinking about next year’s National Cupcake Day. Visit nationalcupcakeday.ca to start planning your 2018 party.	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.

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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 Orillia Animal Centre
467 West Street North, Orillia, ON L3V 5G1
Charitable Business #88969-1044-RR0002

Phone: (705) 325-1304
Fax:  (705) 325-1027
Email: orillia@ospca.on.ca

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