Happy Pride Month from your friends at the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society!

New name, same great animal centre!

We want to make it easier to identify our animal centre, the role it plays and the community it serves. We are excited to tell you that the Ontario SPCA Provincial Education & Animal Centre has been renamed the Ontario SPCA York Region Animal Centre. We’re the same great animal centre, with the same amazing staff – we just have a new name!

Our animal centre is one of the Ontario SPCA’s largest animal centres and is located in the northern area of Stouffville, just outside Newmarket. If you’ve never been to visit in person, we’re located at 16586 Woodbine Avenue in Stouffville, just past Highway 404. The animal centre’s new name is better aligned with the community the animal centre is focused on serving.

The Ontario SPCA provides province-wide education on animal well-being and will continue to share this work through our provincial services and our community animal centres across the province.

To learn more about our Ontario SPCA York Region Animal Centre please visit ontariospca.ca/yorkregion

Get ready to Sweat for Pets

Are you ready to get moving for a good cause?! Whether you have a pet or just love animals, get active with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s Sweat for Pets fundraiser, running July 4 to July 28. Sweat for Pets inspires participants to challenge themselves to get moving while raising funds in support of vulnerable animals in our community.

Set a personal challenge and encourage your family, friends and co-workers to pledge their support for animals in our community by making a donation to your Sweat for Pets personal fundraising page. Challenges can be as unique as you, and the animals you’re supporting. You could challenge yourself to go for a walk every day with your dog, run a marathon, bike to a neighbouring town or city – anything that inspires you to get moving to help animals.

Funds raised through Sweat for Pets support life-changing work to give animals in need a second chance. If you’re up for the challenge, start warming up and get ready to change the lives of animals in need at the Ontario SPCA York Region Animal Centre.

“Bark” your calendars because registration opens on July 1. Stay tuned for more details to come!

Paws to say thanks to your veterinary team

Veterinary professionals work hard every day to help keep our pets happy and healthy. It’s time to celebrate and thank them! The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society has partnered with participating SPCAs and humane societies across the province to launch the Veterinary Appreciation Campaign, which runs from June 13-24 in celebration of veterinary professionals.

The Veterinary Appreciation Campaign is a way for pet parents to recognize their local veterinary professionals who give so much. Beginning June 13, show your veterinary team some love by nominating your pet’s veterinary clinic and encourage family and friends to vote to show their support. The veterinary clinic with the most votes will receive a plaque and a complimentary lunch for their staff.

Nominations and voting begin on June 13. Keep an eye open on Monday on our website and social media channels for more details!

Remembering our furry friends on World Pet Memorial Day

June 14 is World Pet Memorial Day, a day to remember our furry friends who are no longer by our side.

Did you know you can honour your beloved companion (or that of a friend or family member) by making a tribute donation in their memory? You can provide comfort to someone who is grieving by giving them the knowledge an animal in need is being helped in honour of their furry friend. Make a tribute gift.

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society has also partnered with the Robbie Dean Counselling Centre to present a free, online pet loss support group. The group meets virtually on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The sessions are free and are facilitated by a certified grief counsellor. It’s an opportunity to share the feelings and thoughts experienced during the grief journey.

Volunteers wanted: Join our Humane Education Team

We have exciting news about AnimalSmart ™ – we are now booking in-person and virtual presentations for students and we’re recruiting volunteers with a passion for education!

AnimalSmart™ is the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s humane education program designed to foster empathy, promote a sense of responsibility, and inspire connection with animals and the environment. We offer presentations free of charge to schools and community groups for Grades 1-8.

Help us create a brighter future for animals by becoming a Humane Education volunteer! If you enjoy working with children and youth, and have a passion for presenting, we want to hear from you!

Adopting? Watch for Pet Valu’s New Pet Parent Guide

Thinking of adopting a furry family member? We know it can be an exciting time and that you likely have many questions, especially if it’s your first pet. That’s why we’re sending new adopters home with Pet Valu’s New Pet Parent Guide!

Inside the New Pet Parent Guide you will find handy checklists with the supplies you’ll need to keep your new furry friend happy and healthy, as well as tips and resources on health, nutrition, grooming and so much more! Whether you’re adopting a dog or puppy, cat or kitten, or a small animal or bird, their needs are outlined inside the New Pet Parent Guide. Plus, it contains Pet Valu coupons with up to $230 of savings inside!

In case you missed the “meows,” Pet Valu has also partnered with the Ontario SPCA to provide fun new cat cabin designs for cats and small critters awaiting adoption at Ontario SPCA and Humane Society animal centres. Presented by Pet Valu’s “Companions for Change™”, the Cat Cabin Program features four new themed cabin designs featuring “Cabin in the Meow-tains,” “Miami Beach,” “Tiki Hut” and “Nautical Ship.” See the new designs

Interested in adopting? Fill out our fun Meet Your Match® survey and see the animals waiting for loving forever homes.