February 2018

We would like to give a warm welcome to Jennifer Hughes, the newest member of the Ontario SPCA Sudbury & District Animal Centre team. Please stop by, check out the animals available for adoption, and welcome Jen as she settles into her new role as Animal Centre Manager.

The sweetest day of the year is soon approaching! 

The month of February not only represents love but the sweetest day of the year! What better way to celebrate this month than baking cupcakes or any desserts for the ones you love and for animals in need – National Cupcake Day™ for SPCAs and Humane Societies culminates on February 26th and there’s still time to get involved and save an animal by doing something sweet.

Are you struggling to find a delicious recipe for your Cupcake Party? Our National Cupcake Day™ Champion Mary Berg has the ultimate cupcake recipe that is a must try! Mary’s scrumptious Classic Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream recipe can be found on our recent blog – these are sure to be the highlight of your party!  

Is your dog trying to taste test all of your baking? Why not plan a Pupcake Party! Celebrate National Cupcake Day™ with your furry companion and their friends – use one of our pupcake recipes from our Pinterest page for some inspiration. 

National Cupcake Day™ is presented in partnership by the Ontario SPCA and the BC SPCA in support of local SPCAs and Humane Societies across Canada as they work to help animals in need in their communities. Make sure to register online to participate and host your Cupcake or Pupcake Party this month!

Join our National Cupcake Day™ Champion in baking a difference by visiting Mary on social media for her amazing recipes and involvement in our campaign:

  @marybMCC3    @mary_berg3    @mary_berg3

Visit nationalcupcakeday.ca to register, bake and donate.

Jamal receives medical help and a second chance at happiness

Jamal is one of the most affectionate boys who has ever come into the care of the Ontario SPCA Sudbury & District Animal Centre. Unfortunately, this sweet one-and-a-half-year-old tabby was surrendered to us after showing signs of a urinary obstruction and could no longer be cared for by his current owner.

During his veterinary examination, Jamal was diagnosed with fleas, ear mites and bladder stones. He underwent a cystectomy, a surgical procedure in which an incision is made into the bladder to remove the urethral stones. Further blood work also indicated that Jamal developed struvite crystals which would require medication and a special diet.

Jamal is now on the road to recovery and resting comfortably at the Sudbury & District Animal Centre. The cost of his treatment and care is expected to exceed $1,000. Please make a special gift today to help Jamal, and other animals like him, receive the life-saving care they require.

Once recovered, Jamal will be available for adoption and make a wonderful companion for a lucky family. Follow us on Facebook for updates as he gets ready for the next chapter in his life!

Without your support, new beginnings for animals like Jamal would not be possible. 

Family Day DYI Project – Make your own dog toy

If you are looking for something fun and low key to do this Family Day, why not take on a project the whole family can take part in. We have the perfect DIY rope toy and treat dispenser project. Click here to check out the video and give your pet a special treat to celebrate the day.  

Arts and crafts not your thing? Read our blog Fun for the whole clan this Family Day for some great ideas on activities that everyone can enjoy.

The benefits of pets on mental health

At the Ontario SPCA, we are fortunate to be working to save animals and have pets as part of out daily lives. Pets not only help increase productivity, but they can also have a positive impact on your mental health.  

As conversations about mental health continue to be encouraged, we wanted to share some resources about the benefits of pets on a variety of mental health disorders including depression, autism, anxiety, and more.

Read our recent blog Benefits of pets for our mental health to learn more on how pets can enrich your life.

Thank you East Gwillimbury Library!

The cats in our care are enjoying a little more privacy thanks to students from the Learn to Sew workshop hosted by the East Gwillimbury Public Library in Mount Albert. The young crafters created and donated privacy curtains that are used at Animal Centres across the province to help alleviate stress levels in cats when they first come into a shelter environment.

Cats are susceptible to anxiety which can sometimes lead to illness. The privacy curtains are placed in their enclosures to give them a little security during their transition. 

We can’t thank our friends enough at the East Gwillimbury Library for their support. If you are over the age of 12 and would like to get involved in the Learn to Sew workshop, please contact the library at (905) 473-2472 or email info@egpl.ca.

Vaccines: Is your pet protected?

It’s important to have your pet vaccinated, but did you know that not all pets need to be vaccinated for every disease? As a responsible pet owner, it’s important to discuss with your veterinarian what they recommend for your pet.

In the meantime, read our blog PET HEALTH CORNER: What vaccinations does your pet need to learn about core vaccinations which are considered vital to the majority of pets because of the risk of exposure, severity of disease or transmissibility to humans.