Are you prepared for an emergency?

If an emergency struck, would you be ready? May is Emergency Preparedness Month and from May 1-13, the Ontario SPCA and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs are spreading the important message of having an emergency plan for your family – including your animals.

Visit our Emergency Preparedness page for a list of items to include in your pet`s emergency survival kit, as well as resources on how to develop an emergency preparedness plan and escape plan.

By having the necessary supplies to shelter in place, and a plan to evacuate with your pets, you’ll be prepared for the unexpected and will help ensure you’re able to care for your family and pets during an emergency.

Let your love for animals live forever

May is Leave a Legacy month. When you remember the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society with a gift in your will, you can continue to change the lives of animals long after you’re gone.

When you think about your life’s purpose, the difference you’ve made, and how you can leave the world a better place, do think about your love for the animals? If so, a gift in your will to the Ontario SPCA might be part of your legacy.

Download your free will-making toolkit and start your first step in leaving a legacy of love!

Meet our VIPs available for adoption

Have you met the Ontario SPCA’s VIPs? If you visit our adoption site, you may notice animals with the VIP logo. This stands for Very Important Paws, and these are animals in our care who may need a little extra help. These furry friends are often located at our Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre in Peterborough, which is now operational.

Animals with a VIP designation could include a puppy who needs help learning new behaviours and getting acquainted with the world around them, an adolescent dog going through the terrible teens, or an adult buddy who may be unsure of new and difficult changes in their lives.

Feline friends are also a part of the program, as animal centre settings can be a difficult adjustment for cats.

When adopting a VIP animal, our animal centre staff will offer a more individualized care plan, including information sheets and a training and enrichment plan that has been implemented and proven successful. Our goal is to empower new adopters to set their buddies up for a long, happy life.

Meet our VIPs available for adoption, and stay tuned for more information on the official grand opening of the Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre.

Create a brighter future as an AnimalSmart™ volunteer

We need your help! Join our team as an AnimalSmart™ humane education volunteer.

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.

We are looking for volunteers who want to share their passion for animals through interactive and educational presentations to educate youth about animal well-being. If you enjoy working with children and youth and have strong presentation skills, we want to hear from you!

Visit animalsmart.ca to learn more about the program and how you can become involved.

The palatability puzzle: how do pets select food?

Ever wonder how animals decide what they like to eat? And why a furry friend that wants to eat beef or salmon off your plate turns their nose up at pet foods with these flavours?

Our friends at Royal Canin, the official food partner of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, share some insight that might help explain your animal’s preferences. These clues may just help you determine what your picky eater prefers.

Five-year strategic plan unveiled

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is excited to unveil its Strategic Plan that will guide us over the next five years. Think of it like a road map to ensure our direction is aligned with the changing needs of our communities.

You’ll notice a newly defined Purpose statement, Priorities and Values. You’ll also see the Strategic Priorities that we have set out, which will guide our work in the coming years. From developing a plan for our advocacy efforts to building a Central Ontario Regional Animal Centre, we have a plan in place to help animals and the people who love them.

We invite you to review the Ontario SPCA’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan to learn more about our work, and how you can get involved.

Book your furry friend for a checkup this spring

Spring is here, which means it’s time for your pet’s annual examination with your veterinarian. Beyond just vaccinations, additional health care during a routine checkup may include a dental examination, clipping nails, testing for heartworm and/or resuming a heartworm prevention program.

As a complement to your routine in-person veterinary care, Vetster provides on-demand online veterinary appointments by connecting pet parents to thousands of licensed veterinarians through video chat appointments 24/7. Vetster ensures animals always have the best care possible, without the stress of travelling, regardless of their location, or the time of day when a health concern arises.

Ontario SPCA adopters receive one complimentary appointment with Vetster to ensure they’re off to a great start with their new furry family member. In addition, animals who have undergone spay/neuter surgery through our spay/neuter services, including the SPCA Mobile Animal Wellness Services unit, will have access to a virtual care appointment post-surgery at no cost to their family.