August 2014 Welcome to NewsHound!     In this edition of NewsHound, read about iAdopt for Fall, learn more about the launch of the new volunteer management software and find out how to register and take part in the upcoming Friends For Life! Walk™. Another Happy Ending   Volunteer Spotlight   Thank You Union Gas   iAdopt for Fall   New Volunteer Software Launched   Friends For Life! Walk™

Another Happy Ending    “Diva” a fun-loving 1 ½  year-old Rottweiler-Collie mix was surrendered to the Ontario SPCA Kent County Branch recently. The shelter staff immediately fell in love with Diva, who loves giving kisses and wags her tail with her entire body. Three weeks after coming to the shelter, a woman came in to have a look at the dogs and fell in love with her. Diva – now known as “Eva” – was very excited to find her new forever home! We wish both Eva and her new family all the joy a loving companion can bring! View adoptable animals here.         Volunteer Spotlight   Cheryl Ball is a relatively new volunteer with the Ontario SPCA Kent County Branch, joining the team in December 2013. She and her husband have two sons, Jeremy and Aaron, and are pet-parents to their dog “Angel”, who was adopted from the Ontario SPCA five years ago. Cheryl decided to start volunteering with the Ontario SPCA as a way to occupy her free time. She loves the compassion the staff has for the animals, “They are an amazing group of people who work very hard trying to find homes for all these pets,” she says. “They go above and beyond.” Cheryl volunteers at the shelter every Wednesday, doing anything and everything, from answering the phone to washing dishes and can also be found at almost every fundraiser. Thank you, Cheryl! View volunteer opportunities here.     Thank You Union Gas The staff at Union Gas converged on the Ontario SPCA Kent County Branch in July, ready to get dirty. The company gave not one, but two “Helping Hands in Action Grants” to the shelter for improvements! Over twenty volunteers showed up early one Saturday morning to tear down fencing, prune trees and hedges around the yard, assemble two sheds, and put together a chain link fence to create three new dog runs. The work spanned two days, and has created a much more useful and safe space for the shelter dogs! We were so happy with the work and with the cheerfulness that Union Gas brought with them. All of us here at the Ontario SPCA Kent County Branch (both four and two-legged) thank you, Union Gas!             iAdopt for Fall   Because there’s no better time to fall in love, iAdopt For Fall.   Wouldn’t it be nice to have a furry companion to enjoy the fresh fall weather with?   What better time to welcome a new addition into your family than during the fall months!   From August 1st – September 30th, particpating societies will be running the “iAdopt for Fall” adoption campaign.   Take our online Meet Your Match ™adopter survey so you’ll know before coming in to one of our shelters which type of animal you really click with. Take the survey now!   To learn more about iAdopt,  visit www.iadopt.ca.           Volunteers can now manage their own schedule!™   Ontario SPCA volunteers can now update their contact information and manage their own schedule all from home. The Ontario SPCA has launched a new online software system called "Better Impact"; this system is especially designed to manage volunteers and provide a more efficient way of communicating. As a volunteer you can sign up for shifts, inform us of any vacations, log hours, or change your phone number all from your home. Volunteers just need an email address and access to the internet to get started. For more information see you branch for details or log into www.myvolunteer.page.com to create your web page.         Friends For Life! Walk™   September 20th and 21st, 2014 is the Friends for Life! Walk™ weekend to save pets. Around the province thousands of walk participants will enjoy a stroll with their families in their community to help raise support for animals in need across Ontario.  Even people without pets can come out to enjoy the day and support this worth while cause.   Find a walk near you.   This event is your opportunity to help the thousands of animals at the Ontario SPCA  who are waiting to find their own friend for life!   Visit friendsforlifewalk.ca to register and learn more.

Ontario SPCA Kent County Branch