New program makes purr-fect matches Fundraising

New program makes purr-fect matches
Amazing stories from inspiring volunteers
New spay/neuter clinics see big success!
www.ontariospca.ca
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Fundraising for exciting new Muskoka project
2010
Welcome back readers! I am delighted to share with you the newest issue of
Animals’ Voice, the Ontario SPCA’s official magazine. In this edition, we have
an introduction to the Meet Your Match® Feline-ality™ initiative, news about
the impact of the Ontario SPCA Act, and a wonderful variety of heartwarming
stories that will make you want to hug your pet.
The Meet Your Match® Feline-ality™ initiative was developed by the American
SPCA to match cats and potential owners to find the most compatible fit.
Through a scientifically-created survey for owners and a personality assessment for the cats, a colour-coded system helps families find their ideal companion. It is truly an innovative program that has been proven to increase
adoption rates and free up valuable space in shelters.
Finally, no issue of Animals’ Voice would be complete without the experiences
and stories of our supporters and volunteers. While we tend to get caught up
in our day-to-day challenges, taking a moment to read some of these incredible stories is a real reminder of why we do what we do. I am overwhelmed by
the teamwork, dedication and the shared love of animals that is apparent in
these stories. These qualities are the core of our organization’s success, and
what truly makes us a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Rosaline Ryan
IN THIS ISSUE
09
16
Meet Your Match
An exciting new program increases
cat adoptions. Learn more about how
the Meet Your Match® Feline-ality™
program is changing lives
MUSKOKA CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Plans for new Muskoka facility well
underway, government funding
helps as we work towards
fundraising goal
PET ADOPTION STORIES
Read the heart-warming “tails” of
how these adopted pets have a new
lease on life
09
SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC UPDATE
New high-volume spay/neuter clinics
see incredible success within the
community; owners happy to have
low-cost option with great results
04
14
26
VOLUNTEERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Local volunteers share their extraordinary
stories on how they made a difference to
their communities
CONTACT US AT:
Ontario SPCA Provincial Office
16586 Woodbine Avenue, RR 3
Newmarket, ON L3Y 4W1
tel: 1-888-668-7722
email: info@ospca.on.ca
website: www.ontariospca.ca
CHARITABLE REGISTRATION#: 88969 1044 RR0002
PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40029989
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE ITEMS TO ADDRESS ABOVE.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER:
Kate MacDonald
EDITOR: ART DIRECTION: EDITORIAL: MAILING LIST: REPORT TO
COMMUNITIES
Making progress on
exciting new initiatives
as the world economy
slowly begins to recover
CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Rob Godfrey
Rosaline Ryan
Chris Hughes
Cathryn McGregor, Aubrie Holmberg
Cathy Crouse (ext. 322) ccrouse@ospca.on.ca
Animals’ Voice® is published by the Ontario SPCA. Its contents may be reproduced with consent from the Society and with appropriate credit
given. Information in this publication is provided in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However,
the Ontario SPCA, nor any person involved in the preparation of this publication accepts any form of liability whatsoever for its contents including
advertisements, editorial, opinions, advice or information, or for any consequences from their use.
01
PET ADOPTION STORIES
Toby met Ellie
When
Submitted by: Patricia Mackay
T
oby was depressed. Food had become tasteless. He no longer enjoyed contact with his
family. All he wanted to do was sleep. Even
his personal hygiene had suffered and, meticulous cat that he was, this was a sure indication that
something was very wrong indeed. To add to his woes
his human was putting him in that dreaded contraption
“The Kitty Carrier.” That could only mean one thing;
he was going to the vet! In his current condition, he
couldn’t even work up enough energy to make his usual
dramatic attempt at a prison break. He settled down in
the crate and sighed.
Life was not worth living ever since his beloved companion Silken had passed away. Silken was everything
to him; mother, best friend, protector, groomer and
giver of affection. In her later years, the roles were reversed. Silken had become severely arthritic. Their relationship changed as Toby became her protector and
nurturer. He had even risked the displeasure of his humans by stealing food for her from the kitchen counter.
Silken especially loved Timbits.
Toby and Silken had been together for seven years.
When Toby was five weeks old, his mother had rejected
him. He arrived at his new “forever home” and within moments of his arrival he was greeted by Silken’s
motherly embrace. She had no milk to give him, but he
nursed eagerly anyway. The actual food came in a syringe administered by his humans, but Silken provided
nourishment for his soul. He loved her without reservation, and her love gave him the strength and the desire to live, tiny as he was.
While they had their differences, their relationship was
truly unique; Silken was a dog and Toby was a cat!
It was difficult for Toby to admit to being a cat because
he had known from his earliest recollections that he
was really a dog in a cat’s body. But Silken accepted
him for who he was in his soul - a grey and white tabby
“puppy”, and she loved him unconditionally.
He loved her without reservation
and her love gave him the
strength to live, tiny as he was
Now, Silken was gone. For five long months he yearned
to be once again lulled to sleep by the steady rhythm
of her heartbeat as they lay snuggled in the doggie bed
they shared. Toby sank deeper and deeper into the dark
abyss of his grief.
The kindly doctor explained to Toby’s humans that
he thought their beloved cat was suffering from acute
grief, and he asked them if they would consider getting
another dog. There was a nice little Lab-mix at the shelter, he told them, who just might fill that empty spot in
Toby’s heart, and in their own lives as well.
Several weeks later, his humans came home with a
stranger. It was a black and white dog whom they introduced as Ellie, who proceeded to run through his house
like a mad dingo! Who did she think she was, this intruder? She barely looked at him, and when she did, it
03
was with suspicion (or was that hostility?) He didn’t
feel safe with her. Silken had never trained him in inter-species warfare. Thankfully, he was never left alone
with Ellie, and eventually she started to settle down. As
he studied Ellie, Toby came to a startling realization Ellie was afraid! She was afraid of the strangeness of
this house, and of raised voices even if they were raised
in laughter. She was even afraid of him. That funny little
growl she gave each time he approached or ventured
too near when she was eating? Why that was nothing
but an early warning defense system!
Toby knew what Ellie needed. She needed exactly the
same kind of love that Silken had given to him when
he first arrived in this family as a scrawny little kitten,
shaken and terrified of an unknown future. With this
realization, Toby determined he would provide her
with that love, whether Ellie wanted it or not!
“Ellie realized that this cat,
Toby, was no ordinary feline”
He planned his strategy carefully. The last thing he
wanted was to have her reject his offer of help, or worse,
to have her turn on him and respond with violence. He
would give her the same nurturing that he had given
Silken in her old age. But he would have to win her confidence first. He would wait until she was sleeping, and
then he would ever so gently creep up beside her, and
groom her carefully, cleaning her face, her neck and her
ears. Despite several initial rebuffs, he persisted. Day
after day, her naps were accompanied by this loving,
cleansing ritual. Slowly, it became evident that Ellie
was beginning to enjoy Toby’s ministrations. Toby even
suspected that Ellie sometimes pretended to be asleep
so that he would come and comfort her.
04
The next step in Toby’s plan to win Ellie’s love came to
him as he noticed her naked enthusiasm at the mere
sight of food. One day as Ellie was relaxing in the doggie
bed, not yet asleep, Toby took the plunge. He jumped up
on the desktop where he was fed, and gathered several
pieces of his favourite kibble in his mouth carefully so
as not to bite into them. He jumped down to the floor.
Bravely he approached the astonished dog and unloaded his precious cargo on the cushion in front of her.
It was a love offering if ever there was one. Ellie was
hopelessly hooked. Ellie realized that this cat, Toby, was
no ordinary feline. This grey and white tabby was her
Toby, her friend. That night, curled up tightly together
in the dog bed, the newly confident dog and the cat that
was really a dog at heart slept in comfortable and trusting companionship, friends at last. It had taken about
two months.
Ellie is not Silken, the mother dog, but Toby knows and
loves Ellie for what she is, and he has remained her protector and nurturer to this day.
The Amazing
Snickers DeWoof:
Submitted by: Margaret Haylock Capon
W
Labrador Extraordinaire
hen I lost my 13-year-old Bearded Collie
named Daisy last summer, I was heartbroken. I had adopted her from a shelter
when she was a puppy, and together we
had shared many adventures. She was a much-loved
member of our family and I knew that no other dog
could replace her. However, I decided that the best way
to honour her life was to adopt another rescue dog in
need of a forever home. Enter Snickers (for the candy
bar) DeWoof, a chocolate Labrador puppy that I discovered at the Napanee Humane Society shelter.
“My heart melted when I saw
her, and I knew at once that
I wanted her.”
Snickers and two of her littermates had been seized and
put up for adoption. My heart melted when I saw her,
and I knew at once that I wanted her. Originally, I had
planned to adopt a mature dog, but there was something about Snickers that changed my mind.
My little chocolate Lab turned out to be a lot like the
Energizer Bunny. No matter how often I walked her
or how much I played with her, it was impossible to
tire her out. My Border Collie crossbred named Furby
McFluff would watch in amazement, as she charged
throughout the house. Furby had been attending obedience and agility school for almost three years and was
scheduled to participate in a Dog Guides for the Blind
walkathon.
I had been collecting pledges and was looking forward
to the event. Disaster struck when Snickers knocked
Furby down in one of her frenzied charges and injured
his leg. My vet x-rayed Furby and said I would have to
keep him quiet for a few weeks until the leg healed. I
had been looking forward to the walkathon all summer.
A team of us from the dog school had volunteered to
take part, and we had been practicing each week for
the walk. In addition to walking in formation, we had
rehearsed some basic moves that included stand-andstays, walk around your dog and circles to the left.
Canine friends Furby and Snickers help the
community in honour of Daisy (pictured above)
With Furby sidelined I would be forced to drop out
since I had no canine partner. I then looked at Snickers and wondered if I could channel some of her energy
into a good cause. I started taking her to dog school and
we practiced the routines I had been rehearsing with
Furby. I was amazed at how quickly she learned. She
was just five months old and was already heeling. Even
the teacher said she was advanced!
On the day of the Wellington Pumpkinfest Parade, which
included the participants in the walkathon, Snickers
made me proud. She performed as well as the mature
dogs. I was so impressed with her that I decided to keep
taking her to obedience school.
My new puppy has moved from strength to strength
and we are now a team. I suspect that she may have
been the runt of the litter, for at nine months of age
she weighs just 40 pounds. What she lacks in size, she
makes up for in spirit and determination. Her teacher
has nicknamed her Little Chocolate.
Snickers needed a forever home, and I needed a forever
friend. While she can never take Daisy’s place in my
heart, she has earned a place of her own. I am so lucky
to have found her.
05
· Pet overpopulation is at crisis
levels in Ontario.
· 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.
· Spaying and neutering can reduce
shelter intake and euthanasia.
· Fixing your pet reduces health
risks and improves behaviour in
cats and dogs.
SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC
The Fix Your Pet Project:
What a Great First Year!
T
he Ontario SPCA’s “Fix Your Pet” program has
fixed an incredible 5,000 pets since the opening day in February 2009. What many people
don’t know is how this program and its mission,
to ultimately reduce the amount of unwanted pets in
shelters and rescues, began as a grass-roots movement.
A small group of dedicated animal rescue professionals
who were deeply concerned by the pet overpopulation
crisis formed Spaycentral, a non-profit organization
dedicated to opening Canada’s first high-volume spay/
neuter service. Over the next few years they worked
tirelessly, fundraising more than $45,000 and securing
a PetSmart Charities grant for $75,000.
Although support for Spaycentral was growing, they
wanted to establish a strategy for implementing the
program in Canada. They decided to approach the Ontario SPCA’s CEO Kate MacDonald and Animal Care Director Christa Chadwick to find out more about opening
a clinic in Canada. They had come for advice but left
with a promise – the Ontario SPCA would open Canada’s first high-volume spay/neuter service.
“When I think of the lives we’ve saved,
I know we are doing something really
important.”
The clinic was to be modeled after an American foundation called Humane Alliance. Their 60+ spay/neuter
clinics were self-sustaining and had a high volume of
pets fixed per day. Humane Alliance provided free support and training for the York Region clinic, which would
be the first of its kind in Canada. Krista Pedersen, who
had been part of Spaycentral, was asked to manage the
clinic. While researching the opportunity, Krista read a
truly compelling statistic regarding the first Humane
Alliance clinic, located in North Carolina. The clinic had
reduced their local shelter admissions and euthanasia
by more than 70 percent. “Finally we have something
pro-active that we can do to stop cat overpopulation,”
said Krista. “When I think of the lives we’ve saved, I
know we are doing something really important.” Krista
is now the Manager of Spay/Neuter Services for the Ontario SPCA.
In February of 2009, the York Region clinic opened their
doors, with services available to everyone regardless of
geography or income level. They accepted animals from
shelters, rescue groups and the public. Exactly one year
later, modestly staffed with six dedicated people, they
had spayed and neutered more than 5,000 animals.
Krista’s aim is to be the model spay/neuter clinic for
Canada, demonstrating the success of these clinics and
encouraging others to open more clinics throughout
Ontario and the rest of the country. “We’re constantly
receiving thank-you cards from our clients,” says Krista
proudly. “Our caring staff ensures that every animal
that comes through our doors gets excellent veterinary
care and lots of TLC.”
It is estimated that one un-spayed cat and her kittens can
produce more than 420,000 offspring in just seven years,
and that there are more than a half-million homeless
cats estimated to be living in the streets of the GTA.
For more information visit www.fixyourpet.ca
or www.spayneuter.ontariospca.ca.
07
Did you know that the Ontario SPCA, Muskoka Branch rescued
and provided care to 728 cats and 148 dogs last year?
This is a 16.6% increase over 2008.
With intake numbers like these, the Ontario SPCA Muskoka Branch is bursting at the seams!
The existing animal shelter is no longer large enough to accommodate the needs of the communities we support.
With assistance from the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Stimulus Fund under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, and
from our supporters, construction of a new facility on Hwy 118 West, Bracebridge will begin this spring.
Your gift to the capital campaign will help to improve the quality of care rescued animals receive, giving them a
better chance at a new life.
Help Raise the Woof by making your donation today!
MUSKOKA ANIMAL SHELTER
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
To learn more about naming opportunities, off-leash dog park and other shelter amenities or to
make your donation please call (705) 645-6225 or visit our website at www.muskoka.ontariospca.ca.
MUSKOKA BRANCH
Working together to help the pet
community of Muskoka
D
uring the summer months, many families
travel to lakeside cottages and retreats. The
beautiful region of Muskoka, Ontario is located north of Toronto and is well-known
for its sparkling lakes, incredible forests and camping.
As tourism increases in this region every year, so does
the need for medical help and temporary shelter for the
many pets that become lost or injured.
The Ontario SPCA’s Muskoka branch is determined to
not only serve the needs of the permanent residents,
but the seasonal population as well. They have outgrown their current location, a modified schoolhouse
portable that was purchased using bake sale money and
funds from other fundraisers almost three decades ago.
While the shelter has received many upgrades since it
was purchased in 1985, it can no longer house and treat
the amount of animals that need help. Over 300 cruelty
investigations are handled through this location each
year, making it a necessity to have the proper facilities.
The new shelter is light-years
away in design from its schoolhouse predecessor
To be able to accommodate all of the animals, the Muskoka Capital Campaign was launched. The goal of the
campaign is to raise $1.86 million for a new shelter
that will not only help animals but become a haven of
knowledge, training and a place for pet owners to learn
and play.
The new shelter is light-years away in design from its
schoolhouse predecessor. It will be built on an 18-acre
The current facility located in Bracebridge on Ferrier Road.
property, and be approximately four times larger than
its current size. The shelter will incorporate a wide variety of functional and cost-saving features, which will
lower future operating costs and reduce the shelter’s
carbon footprint. It will have a multi-purpose space
that is ideal for workshops, training seminars and animal care camps. An exciting addition to the shelter will
be a new leash-free park that will be open for the community to enjoy.
In order to reach our goal, we encourage our donors
and supporters to help us give back to the Muskoka
community. Donations made to this life-saving facility
will ensure that all of the region’s animals have access
to treatment. The provincial and federal government
will award us grants that will pay for 2/3 of the total
cost if we can meet our target. Through generous donors and hardworking volunteers, $1.2 million has
been raised so far however, we are still short of the
project’s goal. This is a wonderful chance to truly be a
part of something the entire community and pet owners everywhere can be proud of.
09
SENSATIONAL SUPPORTERS
A
Donor
Perspective
A
tragic fire at the Ontario
SPCA, Midland & District
Branch in 2006 lead to a twist of
fate after catching the attention
of UK expats Nicola and Andrew
Combes. Obviously believing in
an interdependence between
life on the planet and its purposefulness, they have enjoyed
helping many causes around
the world. Animal welfare is
one of their primary interests.
W
hen Andrew and Nicola Combes left
the UK in 1994 they embarked upon 10
years of world travels that saw them living in Bermuda, Vermont and Florida
before settling down on the shores of Georgian Bay. In
early 2009 they were sworn in as proud new Canadian
citizens and for the first time in many years felt they
had a proper ‘home’.
During their final seven years in England, the Combes
fostered four donkeys from the UK Donkey Sanctuary
as part of a rehabilitation program.
They enlisted the help of Rocky, a much-loved Border
Collie adopted from Border Collie Rescue, to bring them
in from their paddocks.
The Ontario SPCA Midland & District Branch after
being hit by lightning in 2006
10
To honour the work of the donkey sanctuary which incorporates the International Donkey Protection Trust,
the Combes funded the establishment of a charitable
veterinary care and teaching facility in Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s poor rural population relies heavily on donkeys as
pack animals. When a donkey is admitted to the facility its owners are provided with a ‘loaner’ donkey until
their own animal is ready to work again.
“In that way we knew that we were helping people as
much as the animals themselves,” said Andrew.
“Life revolved around Rocky and our donkeys,” explained Nicola. “With them, our inherited chicken, Batty, a small family of doves and a couple of farm cats, we
had an interesting time of it!”
Certainly that would seem to be the case as Rocky is reliably reported to have travelled from England to Bermuda on the Queen Elizabeth II ship in splendid style
when the family emigrated!
More work followed in Boston when they helped the
world famous Angell Memorial teaching hospital install new oxygen cages at its state-of-the-art emergency
suite. “We saw how committed the staff is to the animals and knew that supporting Angell was the right decision.” The couple has also helped with animal treatment funds in both Vermont and Florida.
After settling in Canada, they began a mission to help
the Ontario SPCA, Midland & District Branch recover
from a devastating fire.
“In 2007 we adopted Ben, another Border Collie from
the Humane Society in Collingwood. Ben rekindled our
interest in helping unfortunate and abandoned companion animals. We had read about the tragic fire at the
shelter in Midland and wanted to get involved.”
Andrew graciously volunteered his time as a member of
the Capital Campaign Committee and wryly admits to
enjoying his self-appointed role of ‘encouraging’ local
contractors to help where they could! On top of volunteering, the couple also made financial and in-kind
contributions to help the Ontario SPCA build its newest
facility for which the Society will forever be grateful.
“We knew from our work with animal welfare charities around the globe that the Ontario SPCA is a well
grounded, effective and ethical organization. Unfortunately one does have to be very careful when choosing
an animal charity to work with. You learn that from experience,” said Andrew.
Last summer the Combes saw their highest profile project for Ontario SPCA when they challenged the Midland
& District community to raise funds for the Spay/Neuter Campaign by putting up matching funds - with a bonus if the goal was met within a specified time.
Spay and neuter surgeries make up the bulk of veterinary expenses for all Ontario SPCA Branches each year
as it is protocol that all pets be fixed before going to a
new home. Like the Ontario SPCA, the Combes believe
that practicing spaying or neutering pets is the best way
to effectively prevent animal cruelty.
In the end, the event was a resounding success, raising
$15,584.85 and achieving 125% of the goal.
And what of the future? “Well, we are pretty heavily
committed, I’m Vice President of Big Brothers Big Sisters North Simcoe and Andrew is working hard on helping start a day centre for cancer patients in our area,”
informs Nicola before adding with a chuckle, “But we
love our animals and there always seems to be time to
do something worthwhile for them!”
Interpretation – watch out for more involvement from
Andrew and Nicola and Ben with Ontario SPCA, Midland & District Branch projects!
JOIN THE ANIMAL PAC MONTHLY GIVING PLAN
Please consider committing to monthly gifts in order to help the animals year round. We appreciate the support of our donors.
16586 Woodbine Ave RR3, Newmarket ON L3Y 4W1 - www.ontariospca.ca - 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722)
ANIMAL PAC MONTHLY GIVING PLAN
Name
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Home Telephone
I would like to spread my support for the work of the Ontario SPCA throughout the year by making monthly gifts.
Address
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I hereby authorize the Ontario SPCA to deduct
I hereby authorize the Ontario SPCA to deduct
$10
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from my chequing account on the first of each month. I understand
that I may cancel this arrangement in writing at any time.
Please enclose a cheque marked “void.”
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$20
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from my credit card on the first of each month. I understand that I may
cancel this arrangement in writing at any time.
Please charge to my
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Our Guarantee: You may change or cancel your monthly donation at any time by calling Ontario SPCA at 1-888-668-7722. Please give us at least 7 days notice before your next scheduled donation date to ensure no
additional donations are processed. To obtain a sample cancellation form, or for more information on your right to cancel, please contact your financial institution or visit www.cdnpay.ca. You have certain rights if your
donation does not comply with this agreement. To obtain more information about these rights, please contact your financial institution or visit www.cdnpay.ca.
11
DONOR RECOGNITION
Investing in our Vision & Future
Major Gifts are making a difference …
Thank you to our many Animals’ Voice Society Members.
Celebrating a successful
High Society Tea…
L
ast fall we celebrated our 1st annual High Society Tea for our most treasured major gift donors. We had an outstanding turnout! Guests
enjoyed great food, entertainment and special
guest star, Lucky. Lucky’s tale of courage and devotion
was a very special addition to the program. He was a
great ambassador visiting each table, so gentle and well
mannered. A warm thank you to the Den Houdyker family for sharing Lucky’s story and being a part of our special day.
Animals’ Voice Society
As a major donor, you are an important part of our Animals’ Voice Society. This is a program for individuals,
corporations, businesses and foundations that choose
to make a difference.
TELUS partners with the Ontario SPCA
A cheque for $8,000 was donated by TELUS to the Ontario SPCA
to help make a significant difference in the lives of animals. Left,
Allison Halls, Customer Service Manager, presents a cheque to
Patricia Wilkinson, Manager of Major Gifts.
The Ballantrae Lions Club makes a sizeable donation for the
Newmarket Spay/Neuter Clinic
Thanks to a donation of $2,500 from the Ballantrae Lions Club,
the Newmarket spay/neuter clinic was able to buy much-needed
equipment. The funds were raised through a plant sale held early
last spring.
Our categories in the Animals’ Voice Society include:
Animal Protector
Animal Champion
Animal Defender
Animal Benefactor
Animal Founder
Animal Patron
$5,000 - $9,999
$10,000 - $24,999
$25,000 - $49,999
$50,000 - $99,999
$100,000 - $249,999
$250,000+
For more information:
please contact Patricia Wilkinson at 1-888-668-7722,
ext. 360, pwilkinson@ospca.on.ca or visit our website
at www.ontariospca.ca.
12
Bev Hanna, best known for her animal portraits in watercolour,
pastel and acrylics incorporating photorealistic trompe l’oeil techniques, has very generously donated prints from her collection for
this program.
PLANNED GIVING
Pet Guardian Program
Peace of mind for your pet’s future.
T
he relationships we have with our pets are
very special ones. Pets provide us with unconditional love and comfort us through difficult times. As pet owners we reciprocate by
providing our beloved companions with the best possible care, now and in the future. However, as we age,
we may grow concerned over what will happen if we
are no longer able to provide that care.
If you do not have a family member or friend you feel
comfortable entrusting your pet to, the Ontario SPCA
will be there through the Pet Guardian Program. Registering your pet in the program will give you the peace
of mind that comes with knowing that, should something happen to you, your faithful companion’s future
will be safe and happy.
The Ontario SPCA will provide registered pets with the
necessary care and attention they need until they can
be put up for adoption. Through the use of detailed research-based surveys and behaviour assessments, both
for pets and potential adopters, the Ontario SPCA will
identify potential adopters that best match your pet’s
personality and needs, to make sure that your pet is adopted by the most suitable family.
For more information on the Pet Guardian Program or
to register your pet(s) please contact 1-888-668-7722
or email plannedgiving@ospca.on.ca.
Free for the Asking
Anyone who has ever been the Executor/
Trustee of someone’s estate knows how time
consuming and overwhelming it can be to locate important documents, certificates, lists of
advisors and other items after someone has
passed away. It is in the best interest of your
loved ones that your Executor/Trustee be able
to locate these items quickly to protect and
safeguard your assets. To assist your Executor/Trustee with this task, a comprehensive
estate plan should include a complete record
of your financial affairs.
The Ontario SPCA can help you with your record keeping and organizing your affairs. Call
or email us today for a free copy of our Will
Planner and other useful estate planning tools.
1-888-668-7722 ext. 324 or email
plannedgiving@ontariospca.ca
13
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers making a
Difference
Volunteers make a tremendous difference in the lives of animals through fundraising, dog
walking, cat socialization, pet fostering and much, much more with an energy and passion
that is often unmatched. The generosity of their time, and the breadth of their talent and
compassion, lend a warmth and energy to all our communities.
C
at Care member, photographer, office volunteer... there seems to be no end to the contributions of Marilyn Emmerson. Her friend, Advisory Committee Chair Dianne Richardson,
introduced Marilyn to the Ontario SPCA Orillia Branch
where she has worked (and worked!) since May 2009.
In the words of Carol Beard, Acting Central Regional
Manager, “ Marilyn is a new Cat Care member who has
worked tirelessly on our new Pet Pal program.”
R
achel Barnard has been volunteering from
nine until five, three days a week for the past
three years at the Ontario SPCA Orillia Branch.
Her intense love of cats and the pleasure she gets from
maintaining their areas in the shelter have not gone unnoticed by appreciative staff and animals alike.
As if loving and taking care of three cats of her own
wasn’t enough, Rachel also felt compelled to take home
one other shy cat named Lizzy, whom she feared would
not be adopted. Thinking at first that it would be a temporary measure, Rachel soon after decided to become
Lizzy’s new adoptive parent.
Rachel especially enjoys becoming involved in any and
all fundraising events put on by the shelter; her favourite being the Video Dance Party, held in cooperation
with a local radio station.
“I meet great people while working for the shelter. The
staff and volunteers are a great team that are really fun
to work with” says Rachel.
Whether manning a booth, walking a dog, or dancing
up a storm, Rachel truly gives her heart and soul to supporting the animals she loves at the Orillia Branch!
14
The Pet Pal Program helps to fund the Ontario SPCA
Orillia Branch costs. Anyone can become a member
of the program by purchasing the opportunity to have
their name, or pet’s name, placed on a “kitty condo” or
“doggie apartment” for a month. The cost is $25.00 and
provides products needed for direct animal care such
as kitty litter, food, garbage bags, blankets, toys and
cleaning products.
Her contributions don’t stop there – Marilyn goes on to
aptly fill the role of resident photographer at many Orillia Branch functions including The Appreciation Tea,
The Mutt Strutt and the Christmas House Tours. Now
she will be volunteering in the office as well!
“Working as a volunteer has afforded me the opportunity to see the branch as so much more than just an animal shelter. The staff are so impressive as they provide
public awareness/education, animal control/rescue,
and genuine care to all animals that come into the shelter. My hat is off to them and I am proud to be able to
assist in any way possible” says Marilyn.
The pleasure is all ours Marilyn!
The Awesome Duo at the
Ontario SPCA Sudbury
Branch
W
e are very fortunate to work with several exceptional volunteers at the Ontario
SPCA Sudbury Branch. I would especially like to highlight the “awesome duo” of
Joyce Manning and Dorothy Wilson. Enthusiastic, compassionate and caring are just some of the attributes
these volunteers possess. It’s no wonder they are so
successful with adoptions.
Joyce and Dorothy work primarily at PetSmart, which is
a huge Ontario SPCA Sudbury Branch sponsor on a regular basis. PetSmart provides us with an area in their
store to feature cats available for adoption. Both women manage all of the scheduling of volunteers and staff
for PetSmart adoptions each month and work many of
the shifts themselves.
They are always willing to jump in and get their hands
dirty and because of their selfless commitment, all of
the cats are showered with love daily and are cared for
as if they were their own. These two exceptional women go above and beyond what is expected to help our
cats and go the extra mile for our people as well.
A prime example of their kindness is the story of The
Duo & The Elder. A few months ago, an “elder” ( a strong
supporter of the Ontario SPCA), lost her son-in-law unexpectedly. She went to find comfort in our cats and
met Joyce and Dorothy. The Duo took time out of their
busy day to comfort this woman. Tears were shed as
she opened up to the two women about the tragedy. As
she shared her story, they played with the cats. She was
ready to begin the journey towards healing.
About a week later, the elder came to my office to tell
me how our Ontario SPCA Sudbury Branch volunteers
made a huge difference in her life and thanked me again
for the work of the Ontario SPCA.
“Joyce and I have always had an excellent time volunteering for the Ontario SPCA,” said Dorothy. “Since we
both love cats, the volunteer hours are very rewarding
for us and the animals. Seeing them adopted to be wellloved and cared for, reminds us that our work is important. I know we both look forward to continuing our
work with the SPCA for many years to come.”
In addition to their work with the animals, Joyce and
Dorothy help with fundraisers as well. They pull together donations and assist in the running of our events. We
are extremely grateful to have this “awesome duo” as a
part of our Ontario SPCA Sudbury team!
About Volunteering at
the ontario spca
Our volunteers are incredible people who give generously of their hearts and time to make a difference in
the lives of animals in need of protection and care.
Discover how you can donate just a little of
your time and talents each day, week or month to be a
hero for our animal friends.
Some ways you can help us help the animals!
• Volunteer at your local adoption centre to walk dogs, clean cages, or perform other critical daily tasks (for which the shelter recruits volunteers)
• Check to see if your local Community adoption centre has a foster program and if you qualify
• Come out and help with a fundraising event
• Help with humane education programs in your
local schools
• Become a member of your local Ontario SPCA
Community
• Become a member of your local Ontario SPCA
Community board or advisory committee
• Assist with the training of other volunteers
• Assist with obtaining sponsors and donors
• Do some printing, photocopying, advertising
or delivering
• Volunteer at your local thrift shop
To learn more about volunteering at the
Ontario SPCA visit our website: www.ontariospca.ca
15
MEET YOUR MATCH®
science-based system assesses feline personality in an
effort to match a potential owner’s expectations with
innate characteristics exhibited by cats waiting in the
shelter. The Meet Your Match® Feline-ality™ assessment
is the brainchild of Dr. Emily Weiss, Ph.D., C.A.A.B., and
a senior director of Shelter Behaviour Programs for the
ASPCA. It enables trained animal welfare professionals
to coordinate pet-owner compatibility, resulting in a 40
percent increase in adoptions and up to a 46 percent
decrease in euthanasia of adult cats at beta-test facilities in the United States and Ontario, Canada.
What’s your colour?
A
fter my father died, my mother - a senior
with a big heart - came to live with us. We
were a busy household, full of pets and teenagers, just what she needed at that time.
Years later she was ready to pursue a slightly more private lifestyle, and moved into an apartment in a seniors
building with organized activities and people her age.
But she began to miss one-on-one companionship and
talked my brother into giving her a kitten.
The honeymoon phase was short. In less than two
weeks, my mother realized her mistake. While cute, energetic and downright comical, the kitten proved to be
too much to handle. We were able to find it a new home,
but my mother still craved a pet to share quiet moments
with. We considered finding an older cat, perhaps one
that was more her speed. She visited a shelter and interviewed a 2-year-old cat named Gaz. The shelter used
a system that helped to match my mother’s needs with
the needs of one of the cats waiting for adoption. I’m
happy to report that she and Gaz are now inseparable.
A perfect match.
The shelter had successfully implemented Meet Your
Match® Feline-ality™, a program used by 18 branches
of the Ontario SPCA since November of 2009. This
16
After the adopters complete a brief one-page survey to
help identify their own expectations, they are given a
coloured guest pass card. Corresponding cages exhibit
the same colour code for cats that emote (with a high
probability) similar feline-ality™ requirements. Families looking for a sociable cat who loves to play are less
likely to end up with a cat that prefers solitude or the
quiet affection of just one person. Both cat and family
benefit from meeting their match!
The new philosophy is to use information gleaned from
the Feline-ality™ testing and survey in order to make
each adoption work. This not only increases the availability of adoptive homes, but educates adoptive families on methods that will help both families and their
new pet.
This high degree of attention ensures a good fit between
pets and their potential families. The results speak for
themselves, as long-term successful adoptions continue
to rise. Every effort is made to provide information to
the adoptive family that will help ease the transition into
the family home, as well as foster long-term success.
Like people, animals experience stress and excitement
when entering into a new home, family and routine.
Our professionals work hard to maximize the affinity
between your “dream pet” wish list and the needs and
personalities of the animals in their charge. Sometimes
animals get along when meeting in unfamiliar surroundings but may display territorial issues with one
another on home turf. When necessary, a preliminary
visit to the prospective home can be arranged.
Getting to Know Each Other
“The main philosophy behind Meet Your Match® Felineality™ is to facilitate the adoption process as much as
possible. The survey helps to form discussions that are
helpful to the adoptive owner and ultimately, to the
pet they choose to take home” explains Jim Sykes, new
Chief of Operations for the Ontario SPCA.
Trained staff perform a series of five tests to observe
a cat’s reaction to a number of common circumstances
and then follow up by monitoring the results after each
adoption. It becomes a scientific probability that postadoption behaviour will be predicted fairly accurately.
After completing the simple multiple-choice survey, the
adoptive owner is also assigned a colour and invited to
focus on (but is not limited to) the corresponding colour
assigned to those cats in the shelter. Using a colour scale
of light to dark, one of five colours is assigned to represent various personality traits prevalent in each cat.
By using the colour-coded system, it helps identify
probable suitability, but does not prevent someone
from choosing the animal that wins their heart, regardless of their colour compatibility. In such a case, the colour can be used to construct a better-informed plan of
action to increase the likelihood of long-term success
with the adoption process.
The Ontario SPCA is doing its best to ensure that each
adoption results in a “Match Made in Heaven.” Stay
tuned for Canine-ality™, coming soon! For more information, on Meet Your Match® Feline-ality™ or to find a
participating shelter, visit www.ontariospca.ca.
What colour is your dream cat?
Here is a sample of what to expect in the 16-question, multiple choice quiz that will help determine your Meet Your
Match® colour. Staff compares your answers to the Felineality of cats looking to be adopted and colour matches
your adoption card to the cage they are in.
1.
I would consider my household
a) a library
b) middle of the road
c) a carnival
3.
I want my cat to interact with guests who come to
my house
a) hardly at all
b) some of the time
c) all of the time
2.
4.
5.
6.
I am comfortable with a cat that likes to play “chase my ankles” and similar games
a) no
b) somewhat
c) yes
How do you feel about a boisterous cat that gets
into everything?
a) love them but rather not live with them
b) depends on the situation
c) fine by me
My cat needs to be able to adjust to new
situations quickly
a) not important
b) somewhat important
c) yes
I want my cat to love being with children in my home
a) It’s not important whether my cat loves being
with children
b) Some of the time
c) Most of the time
d) children do not often come to my house
2009: A Year in Numbers
Cats adopted: Dogs adopted:
Others adopted: Wildlife admitted: 4,440
2,307
752
2,395
Note: Includes Ontario SPCA Branches Only
17
SUPPORTERS
HUMANE HEROES
make a lifesaving difference
V
ivian Arruda is the grandmother of a shy but
determined 11-year-old named Alexis Xenophontos. Alexis was interviewed by Ann
Rohmer, host of CTV’s “Animal House Calls”
for her amazing volunteer efforts. Despite her inexperience in front of the camera, she had a lot of fun both
on camera and off. Alexis and Ann really hit it off! Both
are animal lovers, with so much in common that Alexis
received an open invitation to return to watch the show
from behind the scenes. “When it comes to animals,
Alexis is free to be herself” said Vivian.
When it comes to animals,
Alexis is free to be herself
Her story began during a visit to the shelter to adopt a
family pet. Alexis was profoundly struck by the needs
of animals who are awaiting homes of their own. Then,
during a routine trip to the grocery store, she noticed
a donation bin for the local food bank and was struck
with an idea. She later approached Domenic Campitelli,
owner of Global Pet Foods in Newmarket and asked if
she could set up a collection bin for animals in their two
18
Newmarket locations, just prior to Christmas 2009. He
was quick to agree and Global Pet Foods’ customers did
not disappoint. Soon, they collected a wealth of products including litter, food, and toys that were donated
to animals at the Ontario SPCA. The Global Pet Foods
store in Stouffville also participated in a food drive in
late March, 2010.
In another flash of inspiration, Alexis also approached
Fabricland with an idea. She convinced them to donate
fleece material, so that she and her grandmother could
sew them into blankets to give to the animals at the
shelter.
Since last fall, Alexis has been featured in the media
several times including The Newmarket Era Banner,
Stouffville Tribune, A-Channel, and again by SNAP Newmarket in February of this year. She was also nominated
for an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year award by the
Stouffville Tribune.
Animals have been known to bring out the best in people, and in the case of a shy 11-year-old from Newmarket – a star is born!
O
n a chilly Friday morning in February, my
husband Bill left the house to take Murphy,
our Golden Retriever, for his daily walk. Because of the amount of ice underfoot, Bill was
walking very carefully. He decided to step off the sidewalk at the side of the church, because he could see it
was very icy up ahead. While most of the ground was
grassy with a snow covering, one patch of ice was hidden under the snow. His feet slid out from underneath
him and he fell. His head hit the ice with such force that
he was knocked unconscious. Murphy started barking
frantically (which the ladies inside the church heard)
and nudging Bill, licking his face. Bill remembers that
Murphy did succeed in bringing him around but he realized he was no longer holding Murphy’s leash. As he
slipped back into unconsciousness, Murphy simply sat
down beside him.
They remained like this for over half an hour, until one
of the ladies noticed Murphy just sitting out there by
himself. She couldn’t see Bill because of the snow bank.
They remembered the frantic barking from earlier and
decided to investigate and see if Murphy was hurt, only to
discover Bill lying unconscious in the snow. Murphy became frantic, barking and running in circles around Bill.
One of the ladies ran back inside the church to call 911.
What makes the story so remarkable is that Murphy
suffers from muscular dystrophy, which is why his
walks are limited to just down to the church and back.
We had never actually heard of this in dogs, but it’s not
as unusual as we thought. Murphy is not our first dog,
nor even our first Golden, but he is the best, most loving
and gentle dog we have ever had, and is absolutely 100
percent devoted to his “Dad”.
Murphy is not our first dog,
nor even our first Golden, but
he is the best, most loving
and gentle dog we have ever
had, and is absolutely 100%
devoted to his “Dad”
I simply cannot believe the extraordinary circumstances that came together and resulted in Bill not being
more severely injured. I am convinced that but for Murphy staying beside Bill the way he did, no one would
have noticed Bill lying behind the snow bank. Had they
not gone outside to investigate the Golden Retriever
just sitting in the field, my husband could have died
from exposure. What if Murphy had left Bill’s side and
just wandered off to investigate the smells of the field?
No one would have paid any attention to a dog walking
about in the back field. Murphy is truly a hero. There
is no doubt about the part Murphy played in Bill being
found, and for that we will be forever grateful to “our
boy”. I do think this once again demonstrates the importance a pet can play in our lives, especially one who
demonstrates such love and devotion.
By the time the ambulance arrived, Bill had regained
consciousness. One of the ladies from the church put
Murphy in her car and drove him home. You can imagine my shock when someone knocked on the door with
only Murphy. She brought Murphy in and told me what
had happened to Bill.
The ambulance crew told Bill the hospital was extremely busy that day, and Bill told them he just wanted to go
home so one of the ladies offered to drive him. When
she brought Bill in he was in shock; shivering, pale, and
had slurred speech. He was also soaked to the skin. She
said the ambulance crew told her he had hypothermia
and needed to be warmed up, but he would recover.
19
TM
Stay connected on Animal Welfare topics.
One Voice for Animal Welfare
Join us online!
some of our donors have asked if there
are other ways to support us.
Our planned giving program allows you to support us in a way
that best suits your financial situation. Making a planned gift
can bring you and your family tax and financial benefits.
Planned Giving is:
• A gift made, after careful consideration and with professional advice, through your financial or estate plan
• A gift that requires some type of legal documentation, for example, a Will
• A gift that is made from your assets, not your current income
• A gift that has tax advantages under current laws
• A gift that is arranged now to provide funds to Ontario SPCA
at some time in the future
ontario spca
16586 Woodbine Avenue
RR 3, Newmarket, ON
L3Y 4W1
1 (888) ONT-SPCA (668-7722)
www.ontariospca.ca
Enter to Win!
1 of 3 getaway packages:
Toronto – Fairmont Royal York
Niagara Falls – Howard Johnson by the Falls
Cambridge – Travelodge Cambridge
For prize details and to enter,
visit: www.ontariospca.ca/av_contest.shtml
PROMO CODE: AV2010
21
COMMUNITY NEWS
12th Annual Dave Devall
Golf Tournament
www.hskl.ca as well as at the shelter at 111 McLaughlin Road in Lindsay. There will be a grand prize for the
participant with the highest pledge.
If you’re looking for a fun day of golfing for a great cause,
you don’t want to miss this event! For more information, visit www.wolfrungolfcourse.com and for tournament info, please contact Rachael Bergerson, Communications and Fundraising Officer at (705) 878-4618.
Check out other upcoming golf
tournaments in your area
Orillia Branch - All “Fore” the Animals
Golf Tournament
Date: June 19th
Contact: Carol Beard
Phone: 705-325-1304
Email: orillia@ospca.on.ca
Website: www.orillia.ontariospca.ca
The 12th Annual Dave Devall Golf Tournament in support of the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes (HSKL)
will be held on Saturday, September 11th at Wolf Run
Golf Course in Janetville, Ontario. The entry fee is $125
and includes greens fees, golf cart, BBQ lunch provided
by Kelsey’s Restaurant, putting challenge voucher, access to the driving range, a full course dinner and lots
of prizes!
A silent auction will be available with fantastic items to
bid on, as well as a 50/50 draw and putting challenge.
For all of you trivia buffs out there, questions will be
at each hole for your team to answer. A prize will be
awarded for the team with the best trivia score!
A new feature of this year’s tournament will be the option of collecting pledges. Pledge forms and participant
registration forms will be available on the HSKL website
22
Hamilton/Burlington SPCA - TEAD/HBSPCA
9th Annual Golf Tournament
Date: June 25th
Contact: Nicol deCourcy-Donovan
Phone: 905-574-7722, Ext. 427
Email: ndecourcy-donovan@hbspca.com
Website: www.hbspca.com
Upper Credit Humane Society - Golf Tournament
Date: August 28th
Contact: Staff at shelter
Phone: 519-833-2287
Website: www.uppercredit.com
Orangeville & District Branch - Fore the Animals
Golf Tournament
Date: September 13th
Contact: Carol Hulcoop
Phone: 519-942-3140
Website: www.orangeville.ontariospca.ca
Lincoln County receives
Animal Re-homing award!
Congratulations to the Lincoln County Humane Society
for receiving the Community Collaboration Award and
the Animal Re-homing Award from the 2009 National
Summit for Urban Animal Strategies.
Through their continued community collaboration, the
Lincoln County Humane Society has applied their expertise to the project and was a key component in successfully developing a well-rounded animal by-law in
their area. The Society’s efforts expanded beyond their
region and have successfully rescued thousands of animals by working with fellow animal welfare organizations to find homes for pets orphaned in the Hurricane
Katrina disaster. In addition, the Society has incorporated a new foster program, resulting in a 50 percent
increase in adoptions and is continuing to see successful results. What amazing initiatives for animal welfare! Kevin Strooband, Executive Director of the Lincoln County
Humane Society shows off the Society’s awards.
The Lincoln County Humane Society will also be opening an exciting new spay/neuter services program. Renovations for this program have been funded through
the Government of Canada’s Infrastructure Stimulus
Fund. This is a great program for both the Society and
the Lincoln County community. For more information
on how you can support the Lincoln County Humane
Society’s new spay/neuter clinic please visit their website at: www.lchs.ca and click on Spay/Neuter Building
Campaign.
23
Barrie branch. Special guests included City Counselor
Mike Ramsey, local MP Patrick Brown, television celebrity Deanne McCallum, and long-time supporter and
friend Marion Fell.
Due to the uncertainty in the stock markets, donors may be wondering
whether they should hold off on making a gift of stocks to the Ontario
SPCA. The fallout from the U.S. credit crunch has deepened; the result
has been yo-yo volatility on global stock markets. Your stocks may be
down, then up and then down again without any real rhyme or reason.
So, as a donor thinking about giving a gift of stocks - what should you
do? Look at the following:
• Does a donation to the Ontario SPCA through stock make sense?
• What did the stock cost you when you purchased it?
• What is the stock worth today?
• What is your capital gain?
• With the elimination of capital gains and the tax credit applied
against your income = two tax savings in one donation – would
you be ahead giving the stock to the Ontario SPCA?
For more information, please contact us at:
Ontario SPCA 16586 Woodbine Avenue, RR 3
Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 4W1, 1-888-668-7722 ext. 324
www.ontariospca.ca • www.donatestock.ca
Photo by: DAVID CASSIDY owner of Shades of Life
Photography. www.shadesoflifephotography.ca
What a fabulous day at the
Orangeville SPCA Walk-a-thon
Masked supporters raise
funds for Barrie Branch
There were over 350 participants and 196 dogs that
enjoyed the 14th Ontario SPCA Friends for Life Walka-thon. They walked, woofed and wagged through the
Town of Orangeville’s Mill Creek trails and came back
to the Alder Street Recreation Centre for Toppers Pizza
and the fun dog contest.
Logo by John Triemstra designs.
On Saturday November 2nd 2009, animal lovers gathered for an evening of dinner, dance and mystery at the
Barrie Branch Masquerade Fur-Ball. The ball was hosted by local radio celebrity Tara Dawn from Barrie radio
station B101, and masked supporters gathered with
Barrie SPCA staff and volunteers to raise money for the
24
Everyone put their best paws forward and raised over
$42,000 to support the Ontario SPCA Orangeville and
District Branch.
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported
the walkers; we appreciate your support.
The 2011 Ontario SPCA Friends for Life Walk-a-thon
will be Sunday May 1 – mark your calendars today and
join us at the Alder Street Recreation Centre. See you
next year!
The Ontario SPCA
TRIBUTE FUND
A gift that saves animals’ lives!
Celebrate the animal lovers in your life with a unique gift
that extends the spirit of compassion, love and support.
Tribute gifts add special meaning to all occasions.
Say “thank you” to the special people in your life.
Express your sympathy of the loss of a cherished
animal or person you love.
We will send a special card with your own
personalized message highlighting your gift
on their behalf.
Achievements
Special Occasions
• Thank You’s
• Sympathy
• Appreciation
• Weddings
• Birthdays
• Seasonal Messages
Call today 1-888-668-7722 and we’ll work with
you to personalize your gift, or visit ontariospca.ca
and click on TRIBUTE GIFTS
PAWS AND GIVE.CA
Paws and Give
for an animal in need
W
hat do singing fish, chocolates, ties and
bathrobes have in common? While these
may be someone’s idea of the perfect
gift, many of us ask ourselves what to get
our loved ones many times a year. Gift ideas are hard to
come by, and truly thoughtful gifts are even harder still.
sent by you or on your behalf to the person you choose
to honour with your gift. A tax receipt will be provided
for each gift amount. You don’t get that when you send
chocolates to your Aunt!
The Paws and Give program combines an opportunity to
send a meaningful gift in honour of its recipient and provides direct aid to animals in need - an ideal match!
Gift ideas are hard to come by,
and truly thoughtful gifts are
even harder still.
How do you find just the right gift?
Using an online virtual catalogue system, the Ontario
SPCA matches gift amounts with similar costs in its
day-to-day efforts in providing ongoing care and rescue
of domestic, farm and wild animals. A gift of $20 could
represent the cost of feeding a kitten or puppy. Amounts
from $15 and up can provide essential services to real
animals who need our help every day and can even prevent future generations from needless suffering.
It’s as simple as clicking and choosing.
When you visit www.pawsandgive.ca you can browse
through an online catalogue that lists the suggested gift
amounts alongside a program that is in need of your
support. You can select your gift in dollar amounts or to
a cause that is particularly important to you.
One or more gifts can be selected and added to your virtual shopping cart. During check out, you will be asked
to select a card (electronic or paper) to be filled out and
26
Visit www.pawsandgive.ca and shop for the many
ways you can give a gift that saves lives, and be remembered for its thoughtfulness.
REPORT TO COMMUNITIES
OUR MISSION
The Ontario SPCA’s mission is to facilitate and provide for province-wide
leadership on matters relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals and
the promotion of animal welfare.
OUR VISION
The Ontario SPCA is seen as the recognized authority on animal welfare issues and making a measurable difference for animals. The Ontario SPCA is
an integral part of each community, promoting mutually beneficial humananimal interactions, and is viewed as a desirable organization for volunteerism and support.
The Society is working to:
• Bring an end to pet overpopulation and the abuse, neglect and
abandonment of animals.
• Promote respect and appreciation for animals.
OUR GOAL
The Society’s goal is to be a strong, unified
and collaborative organization dedicated to
the cultivation of a compassionate Ontario for
all animals.
27
WILDLIFE CENTRE
WILDLIFE
S
Whispers
pring has sprung at the OSPCA Wildlife Centre and we are so excited about what this new
year has in store for us. Thanks to the Ontario
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional
Services Infrastructure Grant we received, our facilities underwent some renovations in 2009 including resurfacing of the floors, a ventilation system upgrade, a
plumbing upgrade and the entire interior of the centre
was repainted. The facility looks better than ever and
we are scheduled to re-open in May 2010.
In 2009 we admitted 568 animals and are excited to
report that the river otters were released on the long
weekend in May of last year. It was quite a journey from
intake to release but it was definitely worth it; after a
year in captivity they were more than happy to go.
Most of the wildlife admissions
in 2009 were because of some
type of human impact.
Most of the wildlife admissions in 2009 were because of
some type of human impact. The most common were:
cat and dog attacks, window strikes, hit by vehicles,
fishing tackle and nest/den sites destroyed. In 2010 we
plan to continue to educate the public on how to live
with wildlife so that we can reduce intake in our facilities and help keep wildlife in the wild where they belong.
CENTRE TIDBITS
We’re on Facebook! Search for us as the “Ontario SPCA
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre”. Become a fan and invite
your friends to join our page as well.
We are excited to be part of an Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources (OMNR) multistakeholder team to promote
Human Wildlife Conflict Prevention. We now have a province-wide toll-free number for our telephone hotline
1-888-ONT-SPCA, ext 386. Call us for your wildlife emergencies or for information about wildlife in your area.
28
DID YOU KNOW?
• Southern Flying Squirrels can glide at speeds of up to 360 feet per minute
• Most birds that are attacked by cats do NOT survive despite medical treament
• Bear cubs are born in January while Mom is still in hibernation
• It can take up to two years for a porcupine to re-grow their quills
LEARN MORE: Many situations that look like
abandonment are in fact part of the animal’s natural parental care routine. Contact the Ontario SPCA
Wildlife Centre’s toll-free hotline before attempting
to rescue an animal at 1-888-668-7722 ext. 386 or
call (705) 534-4350.
Visit: www.wildlifecentre.ontariospca.ca
INVESTIGATIONS
Education First:
Advice from an Investigations Officer
E
very week, Ontario SPCA officers are asked
some tough questions by our supporters.
How do you do your work? What drives you
to do your job? How do you do that job? It
is very difficult for animal lovers to see animals that
are injured or suffering, even for the most experienced officers. The answer to this is to focus on education and prevention. Standards of Care are defined
through the Ontario SPCA Act, some of which include
adequate and appropriate food and water, medical attention and care necessary for a pet’s general
welfare. Sharing the Standards of Care through humane education assists in preventing animal cruelty.
A sad fact is that while many people are pet owners,
some people simply have never been taught the basics of animal care. A lack of water, food and shelter
compose one of the primary cases of neglect, there
are many pets that could have been saved if only a veterinarian had been able to intervene earlier. Annual
veterinary care is something no owner can afford to
overlook. Pets also need emotional attention as well as
regular exercise and grooming to keep them physically
and mentally healthy.
Be sure to talk with your family members and children
about the proper care of your household pet. While
young children may not understand more complex concepts about animal care, you can draw parallels that
will make it easy for them to understand, such as how
it’s important for your pet to always have access to water; since they have paws and not hands it is really difficult for them to go to the fridge and get a glass of water!
If you set the example, your family is sure to follow.
In your community, you can
always educate others by
leading through example.
To keep the worst offenders in check, there are opportunities to support stronger anti-cruelty laws. It has been
just over a year since Ontario proclaimed one of the
strongest, toughest animal protection laws in Canada.
It has given us the tools to help prevent animal cruelty
through education and sentencing amendments. This
new legislation will impose harsher penalties on repeat
offenders and deter people from committing crimes
against animals.
There are a variety of ways you can be an animal advocate, such as volunteering to educate the public and by
setting a good example to your community and family.
Working together, we can help our furry friends to have
the longest and healthiest lives possible.
2009: A Year in Numbers
Complaints investigated:
13,096
Animals removed as a
result of investigations:
2,221
Orders issued:
Provincial charges laid:
2,071
64
29
ONTARIO SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009
2009
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivables
Inventory
Prepaid expenses
2008
$
$ 11,738,982
520,392
28,334
84,107
12,371,815
Long-term investments
7,539,604
400,431
18,738
51,308
8,010,081
5,074,648
4,631,109
11,579,169
10,706,196
$ 29,025,632
$ 23,347,386
2,095,275
888,245
2,000
2,985,520
$ 2,2412,309
1,038,719
2,806,093
6,257,121
26,040,112
–
–
26,040,112
10,815,636
–
6,274,629
17,090,265
$ 29,025,632
$ 23,347,386
Capital assets
Liabilities and Fund Balances
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Bank loan
Deferred revenue
Fund balances
Provincial
Regional
Capital
$
For a complete set of audited financial statements, call 905-898-7122 or 1-888-668-7722.
How you support us Donations and Fundraising
$17,841,583
Donations
Branch Donations
Legacies
30
27%
12%
61%
How you support us
$26,377,355
Donations and Legacies
Animal Care Revenue
Goverment Grants
Other Grants and Revenue
68%
19%
12%
1%
ONTARIO SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES, YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2009
2009
2008
$ 6,985,858
537,939
2,754,190
2,448,255
2,549,529
245,859
506,270
16,027,900
$ 6,959,152
627,493
2,245,810
2,165,194
2,047,860
293,939
(539,253)
13,800,195
11,496,814
1,756,653
1,841,767
753,887
464,456
265,998
16,579,575
9,886,185
1,668,737
1,665,999
513,378
404,742
254,379
14,393,420
1,354,203
1,851,111
Deficiency of revenue over expenses
and distributions before legacies
(1,905,878)
(2,444,336)
Legacies
10,855,725
3,432,277
8,949,847
987,941
17,090,265
16,102,324
$ 26,040,112
$ 17,090,265
Revenue:
Donations and fundraising
Provincial grants
Provincial grant capital
Shelter and veterinary
Municipal contract fees
Other
Interest and investment gain (loss)
Expenses:
Animal care and protection
Fundraising
General Management and Administration
Communication and education services
Amortization
Interest and bank charges
Distributions:
Grants to Ontario SPCA Affiliates
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over
expenses and distributions
Fund balances, beginning of year
Fund balances, end of year
YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK
$17,933,778
Animal Care and protection
Distributions to Affiliate Organizations
Public Awareness and Humane Education
Fundraising
General Management and Administration
Amortization
Interest and bank charges
64%
8%
4%
10%
10%
3%
1%
31
COMMUNITY DIRECTORY
ONE VOICE FOR ANIMAL WELFARE
OUR TEAM
The Ontario SPCA needs your help to continue our efforts to protect and care for abused, neglected
and orphaned animals in Ontario. Thanks to people like you who are committed to making this world
a better place, we make a significant difference in the lives of both animals and people. We extend our
deepest gratitude to our donors, volunteers, staff and friends for their lifesaving support!
LEADING OUR TEAM
ONTARIO SPCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Arthur King
Debra Kinsella
Grace Pang
Jean Belfour
Johanne Golder
Kari Wilson
Kevin Strooband
Melanie Coulter
LEADING OUR COMMUNITY EFFORTS
Alliston & District Humane Society
P.O. Box 378
Beeton, ON LOG 1A0
705-458-9038
www.allistonhumane.com
Arnprior & District Humane Society
490 Didak Drive
Arnprior, ON K7S 0C3
613-623-0916
www.arnpriorhumanesociety.ca
Barrie Branch
91 Patterson Road
Barrie, ON L4N 3V9
705-728-7311
www.barrie.ontariospca.ca
Brant County
539 Mohawk Street, P.O. Box 163
Brantford, ON N3T 5M8
519-756-6620
www.brantfordspca.com
Bruce-Grey Branch*
427 10th Street, Suite 8
Hanover, ON N4N 1P8
519-364-0400
www.brucegrey.ontariospca.ca
32
Cambridge & District Humane Society
1650 Dunbar Road
Cambridge, ON N1R 8J5
519-623-7722
www.spca.cambridgeweb.net
Humane Society of Durham Region
79 Taunton Road West, Unit 1
Oshawa, ON L1G 7B4 (temporary location)
905-433-2022
www.humanedurham.com
Etobicoke Humane Society
1500 Royal York Road, Suite B, 2nd Floor
Etobicoke, ON M9P 3B6
416-249-6100
www.etobicokehumanesociety.com
Fort Erie SPCA
410 Jarvis Street
Fort Erie, ON L2A 2T1
905-871-2461
www.forteriespca.org
Gananoque & District Humane Society
85 Highway 32, RR 1
Gananoque, ON K7G 2V3
613-382-1512
www.ganhumanesociety.ca
Rob Godfrey
Wanda Bailey
BRANCH
AFFILIATE
Guelph Humane Society
500 Wellington Street West
P.O. Box 684
Guelph, ON N1H 6L3
519-824-3091
www.guelph-humane.on.ca
Hamilton/Burlington SPCA
245 Dartnall Road
Hamilton, ON L8W 3V9
905-574-7722
www.hbspca.com
Huron County Branch
48 East Street
Goderich, ON N7A 1N3
519-440-0250
www.huroncounty.ontariospca.ca
Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes
111 McLaughlin Road
Lindsay, ON K9V 6K5
705-878-4618
www.hskl.ca
Kenora/Dryden Branch*
P.O. Box 1148
Keewatin, ON P0X 1C0
807-548-2194
www.kenoradryden.ontariospca.ca
Kent Branch
405 Park Avenue East
Chatham, ON N7M 3W4
519-354-1713
www.kent.ontariospca.ca
Orangeville & District Branch
650 Riddell Road
Orangeville, ON L9W 5G5
519-942-3140
www.orangeville.ontariospca.ca
Thunder Bay & District Humane Society
1535 Rosslyn Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6W2
807-475-8803
www.tbayhumane.ca
Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society
250 Riverbend Drive
Kitchener, ON N2B 2E9
519-745-5615
www.kwhumane.com
Ottawa Humane Society
101 Champagne Avenue
Ottawa, ON K1S 4P3
613-725-3166
www.ottawahumane.ca
Upper Credit Humane Society
5383 Wellington Road #24, RR 2
Erin, ON NOB 1TO
519-833-2287
www.uppercredit.com
Kingston Humane Society
1 Binnington Court
Kingston, ON K7M 8M9
613-546-1291
www.kingstonhumanesociety.ca
Lanark Animal Welfare Society
P.O. Box 156
Smiths Falls, ON K7A 4T1
613-283-9308
www.lanarkanimals.ca
Leeds & Grenville Branch
800 Centennial Road, RR 4
Brockville, Ontario K6V 5T4
613-345-5520
www.leedsgrenville.ontariospca.ca
Lennox & Addington Branch
156 Richmond Boulevard East
Greater Napanee, ON K7R 3Z7
613-354-2492
www.lennoxaddington.ontariospca.ca
Lincoln County Humane Society
160 Fourth Avenue
St. Catharines, ON L2R 6P9
905-682-0767
www.lchs.ca
London Humane Society
624 Clarke Road
London, ON N5V 3K5
519-451-0630
www.londonhumanesociety.ca
Midland & District Branch
15979 Highway 12 East, RR 1
Port McNicoll, ON L0K 1R0
705-534-4459
www.midland.ontariospca.ca
Muskoka Branch
4 Ferrier Road, P.O. Box 2804
Bracebridge, ON P1L 1W5
705-645-6225
www.muskoka.ontariospca.ca
Niagara Falls Humane Society
6025 Chippawa Parkway
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X8
905-356-4404
www.nfhs.ca
North Bay & District Humane Society
2060 Main Street West, P.O. Box 1383
North Bay, ON P1B 8K5
705-474-1251
www.northbayhumanesociety.ca
Northumberland Humane Society
371 Ward Street
Port Hope, ON L1A 4A4
905-885-4131
www.northumberlandhumanesociety.com
Oakville & District Humane Society
445 Cornwall Road
Oakville, ON L6J 7S8
905-845-1551
www.oakvillehumane.ca
Orillia Branch
467 West Street North
Orillia, ON L3V 5G1
705-325-1304
www.orillia.ontariospca.ca
Oxford/Elgin County Branch*
toll free: 1-888-668-7722 ext. 313
www.oxfordelgin.ontariospca.ca
Parry Sound Branch*
705-645-6225
www.parrysound.ontariospca.ca
Perth County Branch
345 Douro Street
Stratford, ON N5A 3S8
519-273-6600
www.perthcounty.ontariospca.ca
Peterborough Humane Society
385 Lansdowne Street East
Peterborough, ON K9L 2A3
705-745-4722
www.peterboroughhumanesociety.ca
Quinte Humane Society
527 Avonlough Road
Belleville, ON K8N 4Z2
613-968-4673
www.quintehumanesociety.com
Renfrew County Branch
387 Paquette Road, P.O. Box 322
Petawawa, ON K8H 3J1
613-588-4508
www.renfrewcounty.ontariospca.ca
Sarnia & District SPCA
131 Exmouth Street
Sarnia, ON N7T 7W8
519-344-7064
www.sarniahumanesociety.com
Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society
962 Second Line East
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 4K4
705-949-3573
http://hosting.soonet.ca/humanesociety
Scarborough/North York Branch*
toll free: 1-888-668-7722 ext. 327
www.sny.ontariospca.ca
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Branch
550 Boundary Road, P.O. Box 52
Cornwall, ON K6H 5R5
613-936-0072
www.sdg.ontariospca.ca
Sudbury & District Branch
760 Notre Dame Avenue
Sudbury, ON P3A 2T4
705-566-9582
www.sudbury.ontariospca.ca
Timmins & District Humane Society
620 Mahoney Drive
Timmins, ON P4N 7C3
705-264-1816
www.timminshumanesociety.ca
Welland & District Humane Society
60 Provincial Street
Welland, ON L3B 5W7
905-735-1552
www.wellandhumanesociety.org
Windsor/Essex County Humane Society
1375 Provincial Road
Windsor, ON N8W 5V8
519-966-5751
www.windsorhumane.org
York Region Branch
16586 Woodbine Avenue, RR 3
Newmarket, ON L3Y 4W1
905-898-7122 ext. 306
www.yorkregion.ontariospca.ca
Marion Vernon Memorial Animal Clinic
91A Patterson Road
Barrie, ON L4N 3V9
705-734-9883
www.ontariospca.ca/8-memorial.shtml
Ontario SPCA Centre Veterinary Hospital
Spay/Neuter Services
16586 Woodbine Avenue, RR 3
Newmarket, ON L3Y 4W1
905-898-6112
toll free: 1-888-668-7722 ext. 384
www.spayneuter.ontariospca.ca
Ontario SPCA Provincial Office
16586 Woodbine Avenue, RR 3
Newmarket, ON L3Y 4W1
toll free: 1-888-668-7722
www.ontariospca.ca
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
15979 Highway 12 East, RR 1
Port McNicoll, ON L0K 1R0
705-534-4350
toll free: 1-888-668-7722 ext. 386
www.wildlifecentre.ontariospca.ca
* Branches that provide
investigations services only.
Temiskaming Branch*
P.O. Box 2474
New Liskeard, ON P0J 1P0
705-647-5288
www.temiskaming.ontariospca.ca
33
Official Insurance of Ontario’s Pets
His name is Lucky
for a reason…
... because with
Ontario SPCA Pet Insurance
his parents were able to afford
the best option.
The most trusted name in animal welfare is now the most
trusted name in pet insurance.
www.ospcainsurance.ca
 1-866-600-2445
Medical conditions that have been noted, symptomatic or pre-existing prior to enrolment are not available for coverage. This advertisement is an outline only, the actual policy issued terms
and conditions will prevail. Ontario SPCA Pet Insurance Programs are underwritten by Lombard General Insurance Company of Canada, distributed by PTZ Insurance Brokers Ltd. PTZ Insurance
Brokers Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pethealth Inc. © 2009 Pethealth Inc. All rights reserved.