Inside Ontario`s Farms Friends for Life! To the Rescue

ONTARIO SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OFFICIAL MAGAZINE
ANIMALS’VOICE
summer 2006
Inside Ontario’s Farms
investigating cases of animal cruelty
Friends for Life!
a puppy mill survivor’s story
To the Rescue
emergency animal evacuation
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ANIMALS’VOICE
IN THIS ISSUE
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
2 Staying Tough on Animal Abuse
FEATURES
4 Animal Tribute
6 Inside Commercial and Backyard Farms:
12 Friends for Life!
14 Volunteers Making a Difference
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Mike Draper
16 Working in the Front Line
Editor
Christine Arnett
Director of Marketing & Communications
(905) 898-7122, ext 305
carnett@ospca.on.ca
18 To the Rescue
Associate Editor
Vicki Quigley
Communications Specialist
20 Training Tips
22 Society News
30 Focus
SUMMER ISSUE 2006
Chair
Linda Morgan
Art Direction
Chris Hughes
Graphic Designer
Editorial
Christine Arnett
Mike Draper
Melissa Marshman
Vicki Quigley
Photography
Chris Hughes
Jennifer McNevin
Joe Springall
Mailing List Administrator
Cathy Crouse
Animals’ Voice is published twice a year by the Ontario SPCA. Its contents may be
reproduced with consent from the Society and with appropriate credit given. Fully
informing our readers about controversial issues involves offering a balanced presentation of conflicting opinions. Readers should not, therefore, infer the Society’s
agreement with the views expressed in this publication.
Canada Post Publication Agreement #40029989
Protecting animals since 1873, the Ontario SPCA is a registered charity comprised
of 25 directly operated branches and 31 affiliated humane societies and SPCA’s, its
Wildlife Centre, Provincial Office and Ontario SPCA Centre, and the Marion Vernon
Memorial Animal Clinic. The Society’s concern is ensuring the welfare of all animals
– large and small, wild and domesticated – through cruelty investigations, animal
care and rehabilitation, government and industry advocacy, and public education.
Charitable Registration #88969 1044 RR00002
How one little dog stole many hearts
Investigating cases of farm animal cruelty
Adopted animals enjoy a second chance
Two volunteers share their inspiration
Spay North team visits Kashechewan
emergency animal evacuation
DEPARTMENTS
Muzzle training your dog
A round-up of news, initiatives and successes
Travelling safely with your pet
Welcome to the summer 2006 issue of Animals’ Voice. We’ve given the magazine a makeover since the last issue, but it still includes inspiring stories of
survival and adoption, profiles of the staff and volunteers that care everyday for
our animals, as well as updates about our initiatives and programs.
Our cover model, Jack, is a little pup that has had a big effect on those who
have come to know him – he brings a heartwarming smile to every person he
meets. You can read about his journey from northern Ontario and his eventual
adoption in the new Animal Tribute section (p. 4). We continue to receive happyending letters from people who have lovingly adopted animals from the Society. Some of these stories are in the Friends for Life! section (p. 12), including
one about Dolly, a puppy mill survivor that has left an indelible mark on her
family (you many need a tissue handy before you start reading).
We hope this issue will make you laugh, cry, take action, and, most importantly,
remember all the reasons we are united in our desire to help animals. Christine Arnett, Editor
ANIMALS’ VOICE 1
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Staying tough
on animal
abuse
T
he Ontario SPCA has always taken the
stance of being tough on animal cruelty, after all that is why this organization
was created and why so many people continue to support it. But recently, various individuals, groups and organizations, many
of whom have come under the scrutiny of
the Ontario SPCA’s investigations department, have reacted by criticizing the Society’s power to investigate animal cruelty
and neglect and lay criminal charges when
deemed necessary.
I believe our members, donors, and the citizens of Ontario would expect nothing less of us than protecting
the innocent animal victims and making their abusers answer to the courts. The Society’s investigators are
trained to act within the law and use our legislative authority to protect animals – these actions are carefully
monitored by the government.
Each day in Ontario more than 41 cases of neglect or
abuse are reported, and hundreds of abandoned or sick
animals are rescued.
I am proud of the diligent and dedicated work every
agent and inspector does to protect animals from cru-
“...some of the most notorious
abusers, neglecters and puppy mill
operators are out of business or in
jail, thereby saving thousands of
animals from a life of misery.”
elty and neglect in Ontario, and equally proud of the
committed and compassionate staff and volunteers
that rehabilitate these animals at our shelters.
In the last five years the Ontario SPCA Investigations
Department, and those of affiliated humane societies,
have grown into a truly effective humane law enforce
ANIMALS’ VOICE 2
ment body, taking to court both individual and mass
animal abusers – including organized cock fighting
and dog fighting rings, irresponsible zoos, slaughterhouses, transport companies, and puppy and kitten
mill operators.
This hard work is paying off – some of the most notorious abusers, neglecters and puppy mill operators are
out of business or in jail, thereby saving thousands of
animals from a life of misery. Puppy mills have been
shut down, a licensed slaughterhouse fined, illegal
slaughter operations closed, and neglectful pet stores
closed and fined.
While many people may recognize the Society as a
protector of companion animals, our mandate actually
includes the protection of all animals. In this issue of
Animals’ Voice you will read about our work protecting farm animals and the types of farm-animal cases
that our agents and inspectors see on a daily basis. Each
year, farm animal cases represent one out of every 15
investigations carried out by the Ontario SPCA and its
affiliated humane societies.
thereby leaving birds and fish without a home. All of
these cases have resulted in the Society taking legal action in order to protect wildlife.
While all of these efforts have had a real positive impact
on animals in our province, there is still much more
work to do. Unfortunately, one of the great hurdles we
face is that Ontario continues to have the weakest provincial animal protection legislation in the country.
Only with stronger laws and increased, stable funding
to the Ontario SPCA and affiliated humane societies
for animal protection services (which are mandated
through provincial legislation), will we be able to address in a more proactive manner the terrible acts of
animal cruelty that take place in Ontario every day.
Most farmers take wonderful care of their animals,
however, issues remain: compromised dairy cattle,
those that are weak at the end of their milk production
life, are a prime example. Farmers need to take responsibility for these animals by not sending them on a trip
to the slaughterhouse that could be as long as seven
days – many of these animals are too weak to make the
journey and can actually become “downers” (unable
to stand) during the trip. This suffering is unnecessary
and criminal.
The Society is also very serious about preventing cruelty to wildlife. Recent investigations involving wildlife included: the trapping and drowning of animals;
leaving animals in live traps to suffer in the sun for
days; burying animals alive; and pumping out a pond,
Mike Draper, Acting CEO, Ontario SPCA
Help provide animals with greater protection by urging
the provincial government to strengthen provincial
animal cruelty legislation, the Ontario SPCA Act.
Write:
The Honourable Monte Kwinter
Minister of Community Safety and
Correctional Services
25 Grosvenor Street, 18th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1Y6
For a sample letter visit:
www.ospca.ca/sample_letter.doc
ANIMALS’ VOICE 3
ANIMAL TRIBUTE
How one little
dog stole many
hearts
W
e all have a special story or two about
animals that have impacted our lives
in ways we could never anticipate. At the
Ontario SPCA we certainly have our share
of stories, but every once in a while there is
that certain animal that reaches especially
deep into all of our hearts. One of those
stories involves a young dog named Jack,
the lovely pup looking out at you from the
cover of this magazine.
to the Ontario SPCA York Region Branch, and that we
have a veterinarian on staff who could assist in his
recovery,” says Jennifer Scott, one of the Spay North
team members and an animal care coordinator with
the Ontario SPCA. “At the shelter we did blood work
and other tests and found that Jack’s liver was damaged
due to lack of food, but it was something that could be
resolved with proper nutrition and time.”
“It wasn’t until close to a week
after he was in the shelter that
We first met Jack this past February when the Ontario
SPCA Spay North team flew to the First Nation Community of Kashechewan to provide veterinary services to
the community’s animal population. Pam Armstrong, a
teacher in the community who has been instrumental
in helping the Ontario SPCA with the dogs and other
animals in Kashechewan, had found Jack wandering
along the road. He was very weak from exposure to the
elements and lack of food. Pam took Jack to her house
about five days before the Ontario SPCA Spay North
team arrived and met him. Under Pam’s care he was on
the way to recovery, but when the team members first
met Jack they all thought he was an older dog because
he would wander around Pam’s house aimlessly, not
showing any interest in anything, including people.
When the team’s work was finished they were about
to say goodbye to Jack when his owners called and
said they had decided to surrender him to the Ontario SPCA, realizing that he was not the type of dog
that they could handle in the northern environment.
“I immediately said that I would love to take him back
ANIMALS’ VOICE 4
Jack became Jack – a happy,
playful, hyper-crazy little puppy.”
“It wasn’t until close to a week after he was in the shelter that Jack became Jack – a happy, playful, hyper-crazy little puppy,” says Scott. “Everybody fell in love with
him. He had so much personality and charm. We can
only hope that Pam knows how much she did for that
little dog.”
Jack has since been adopted into a loving home where
he will always have food, a warm bed to snuggle into
every night, and someone to love and play with him.
We love you Jack!
Jack is enjoying life with his new family, including eight-year-old Christopher. Jack is keeping his family busy
with walks and playtime, and is bonding with the other dogs in the neighbourhood, including a special “girlfriend” who is also a rescue dog. “Jack has been a great addition to our family,” says his new Mom, Barbara.
“He’s just like a child - lots of work, but the love is unconditional and unending.”
ANIMALS’ VOICE 5
FEATURE
Inside
commercial
and backyard
farms:
Investigating cases of
farm animal cruelty
By Vicki Quigley - Ontario SPCA Communications Specialist
W
The language of neglect: How farm
animals speak
Sadly, for Ontario SPCA and affiliated humane society
investigators responding to farm animal cruelty complaints, this idyllic image is frequently shattered by a
darker reality.
In 2005 the Ontario SPCA received nearly 1,500 farm
animal complaints. Because investigators currently
have no right of inspection power under provincial legislation (the Ontario SPCA Act), the Ontario SPCA and its
affiliated humane societies operate on a complaints basis – aided by concerned citizens reporting cases of suspected animal cruelty. Fortunately, while animals cannot voice their tragic tales, their physical condition and
environment speak volumes to investigators trained to
piece together the events of the animals’ lives – and
to professionals who often provide expertise and assistance on investigations, including the Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and large animal
veterinarians. This evidence may include:
hen you think of a small country
farm, you probably picture one with
rolling green fields, a pastoral red barn,
hard working farmer, and healthy animals
grazing and foraging, grooming or laying
around in the sun.
According to 2001 census data, in Ontario there are
nearly 60,000 farms, raising more than six million large
animals – and tens of millions of small animals such as
chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. These animals are
used to produce meat, milk, eggs and other products.
As well, many horses are raised for equine sports and
bought and fattened for slaughter. While most are legitimate and responsible farmers who are truly concerned
for the health and welfare of their animals, the Ontario
SPCA receives cruelty complaints regarding both “commercial” farmers (operators of large-scale production
systems with hundreds to tens of thousands of animals)
and “backyard” or “weekend” farmers – hobbyists who
typically purchase an inexpensive piece of land, farm
a small number of animals (50 to 100 generally), and
may live elsewhere, commuting to the farm on weekends. Close inspection of some of these commercial or
“hobby farms” has revealed animals condemned to a
life of suffering and neglect.
ANIMALS’ VOICE 6
• Rotted, cracked, infected or overgrown hooves
Hooves are one of the most frequently neglected parts
of horses and cattle, and to a lesser extent of goats and
sheep – often painfully hobbling or crippling the animals. Most foot problems can be avoided with proper care, including checking the animals’ feet and legs
periodically to detect and treat hoof infections or leg
abrasions; and following through with regular hoof
maintenance, such as picking out the hollows of the
horses’ feet, having hooves trimmed or shod regularly
by a competent farrier (one who trims horse feet and
shoes them), and protecting feet with properly fitted
shoes and pads when necessary.
Common signs of hoof neglect include overgrown
hooves curling upwards, and hooves with cracks or
splits. Depending on the depth of the crack and its location in the hoof wall, infection is possible, particularly if the crack bleeds after exercise.
Neglecting to ensure animals have clean, dry footing
– forcing them to spend long periods of time standing in wet, dirty or muddy conditions – can also cause
foot problems. If urine and manure are not cleaned on
a regular basis, excrement can build up into a swamp
that squishes under the animals’ feet. Wet spring conditions can cause a similarly swampy surface. The result commonly is “thrush,” a fungal infection of the
frog (the triangular-shaped pad on the bottom of the
horse’s hoof that is made of 50 percent water and acts
as a shock absorber); and “canker” or “hoof rot,” an
infection of the whole foot. Investigators recognize infections from a foul odour, discharge from the disintegrating frog, or black and moist soles of the hoof.
“Investigators recognize infections
from a foul odour, discharge from
areas: failure to provide the animals with a diet sufficient to maintain health (thereby lowering the animals’ resistance); failure to administer a proper parasite
control program (such as administering topical or oral
medications, e.g. dewormers); and failure to practice
proper pasture and/or manure control.
Allowance of manure to accumulate in pastures and
barnyards provides a moist, ideal environment for parasites, such as worms, to breed and multiply. If pastures
are not mowed or harrowed (harrows are a farm implement consisting of a heavy frame with sharp teeth) to
break up manure piles and expose parasite eggs to the
elements, reinfestation is inevitable.
• Emaciation, muscle wasting and visible ribs,
backbone and shoulder blades
A common cruelty complaint is evidence of thin or
emaciated animals with protruding ribs, backbones
and shoulder blades. Sometimes investigators will find
chewing marks on the wood of the stalls (a sign of hunger or boredom), or in winter, animals with snow melting on their backs (indicative of depleted fat stores and
poor skin and coat as the body releases heat), and/or
with backs arched and shivering. It is always cause for
the disintegrating frog, or black
and moist soles of the hoof.”
• Loss of hair, dull or brittle hair coat, raw skin or
itchiness
Healthy skin and hair coat are indicators of good health
and nutrition and act as insulation for animals, keeping
the cold out in winter, the heat out in summer, and the
rain out year-round – in addition to helping prevent
viruses and bacteria from entering the body. Therefore
signs of a poor coat and skin, including dull, rough, weak
or brittle hair; hair loss; or flaking skin cause investigators concern. Their concern deepens when other factors
are also present including raw skin; coughing or nasal
discharge; weight loss; lethargy; loss of appetite; loss
of body condition; diarrhea; or evidence of damage to
fences, yards or trees (used by animals to relieve itching).
Parasite infestations are often at the root of the animals’ poor appearance and health – organisms that
feed off of another, including cattle, horses, sheep and
goats. This could include external parasites, such as
ticks, mites and lice, or internal parasites, such as various worms which are often ingested when the animals
graze off the ground. The infestation is caused and/or
exacerbated by negligence in one or more of three key
ANIMALS’ VOICE 7
“A common cruelty complaint
is evidence of thin or emaciated
animals with protruding ribs,
backbones and shoulder blades.”
alarm because by the time farm animals are visibly
wasted, significant fat stores and/or muscle tissues have
already been depleted, and a certain amount of energy is essential to keep life systems functioning and for
growth and repair. Yet while a thin body condition may
at first glance appear to be the result of lack of food, or
even parasites, investigators must consider a variety of
factors, such as:
Poor dental care:
Horses, for example, can lose significant weight due to
improperly tended teeth. Investigators may notice such
horses dropping their feed while eating. Because of the
way horses chew, their molars may wear unevenly, and
without proper care can develop sharp edges that can
cut the inside of their cheeks – making chewing painful
and causing reluctance to eat. Horse teeth should be
examined at least annually to catch potential problems
before they affect the animals’ comfort and health, and
a veterinarian may be required to file down (“float”)
ANIMALS’ VOICE 8
any sharp or overgrown teeth. Investigators may often
do a quick check for sharp or dull edges by running a
finger along the inside of the teeth.
Bullying:
Where there is evidence of a healthy herd with one
or two (thin) exceptions, the weight loss may be attributed to bullying and the failure to provide enough
feeding areas to avoid undue food competition. This
issue typically arises with farmers who stick to scheduled feeding times, as opposed to free choice (constant
supply available), and who neglect to monitor the animals’ eating habits and appearance. Animals should be
visually inspected regularly, and in the cases of sheep or
animals that develop a thick winter coat, felt by hand
for muscle and fat cover.
Poor food quality:
Food quality can mean the difference between healthy
and ailing animals – regardless of the abundance of
food available. For example, hay quality varies exceedingly. Generally good hay is greenish-yellow, leafy,
smells grassy and sweet, is soft and pliant and should
have tender stems. Poor hay typically smells musty, is
stiff and brittle, may be infested by rodents or other
animals and insects, and appears moldy or dusty with
lots of cobwebs, weeds or blossoms. Improper storage
(spoilage) can also lead to problems with food, decreasing the nutritional value and making the hay less appealing to the animals, and therefore less is eaten.
Improper winter feed program:
Well-fed horses, cattle and sheep adapt well to cold
weather and acclimate quickly. However, investigators
frequently find thin animals intolerant to the cold because they’re not receiving enough feed. In winter animals require a 15 to 20 percent increase in feed to offset
heat lost to the cold surrounding air – otherwise their
body condition and health can quickly decline. Knowledge of how much food an animal should receive can
help investigators evaluate the truth of a farmer’s claim
about the amount of food fed. Problems also commonly
arise when farmers buy old or moldy hay – failing to develop a good winter feed program which may include
grain and supplements (e.g. vitamins and minerals) to
compensate for any of the hay’s deficiencies, and to
meet the higher nutritional requirements of animals in
winter. Hay delivers energy, protein, roughage, vitamins
and minerals to farm animals including cattle, sheep
and horses, and these measures of hay can be tested accurately and inexpensively though most feed suppliers.
• Coughing, wheezing or discharge from the eyes
or nose
Respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia, which can
cause animals to wheeze, cough, leak discharge from
their eyes or nose, stop eating, lose weight, suffer pain,
and, in severe cases, die, are commonly caused by the
failure to provide basic preventative care at high-risk
times such as when housed indoors, during transportation, and in the winter months.
Animals housed indoors require protection from drafts,
major dust and gas contaminants, various molds, and
excessive heat and moisture levels – either by the use
of air intakes and exhaust openings and/or in com-
“Surprisingly, dehydration
frequently appears in farm
animals in winter; the reason, a
misconception that farm animals
can thrive on snow as their only
water source.”
bination with the use of window and door openings.
When all barn windows and doors are closed in winter to “warm” animals, without additional ventilation
in place, the results can be toxic and fatal. Over time
dangerous gases build up, including ammonia, which
combined with moisture accumulation from the animals’ breath and bodies, creates the perfect conditions
for breeding pneumonia germs.
Animals housed outdoors during the winter months can
also be placed at a higher risk of pneumonia if: the animals’ diets are neglected (depleting the animals’ overall health and fat store); the animals are not provided
protection from prevailing winds with an open-fronted
shed or wind-break fencing (could also be trees); and
the animals are not supplied access to a well-drained
and dry resting area where they can lie down and conserve body heat (reducing surface area heat loss by 20
to 25 percent). Ruminants, such as cattle, sheep and
goats, swallow their food partly chewed, then generally
retire to a safe resting area to lie down, regurgitate and
ANIMALS’ VOICE 9
rechew their food (ruminate). When their only option
is to lie on wet, muddy ground, the animals can easily become chilled, lose valuable energy as their bodies
work to stay warm, and become vulnerable to respiratory illness.
• Dehydration
Surprisingly, dehydration frequently appears in farm
animals in winter; the reason, a misconception that
farm animals can thrive on snow as their only water
source. The results can be life-threatening if the animals lose a significant portion of their body weight (12
to 15 percent is enough in some cases to cause death)
– and even at a lesser severity can start to impair the
process of digestion, transport of wastes, and ability of
the body to rid itself of toxins and other by-products of
digestion and daily functioning – resulting in lethargy,
weakness and vulnerability to illness and disease.
While cattle can survive on good quality clean snow,
and some animals may be able to “get by” if there is
a clean, consistent layer of snow throughout the winter, the majority of farm animals require a lot more water than snow can provide to digest the artificially-dry
feed (e.g. hay) that composes the bulk of their winter
diet. Voluntary sheep water consumption, for example,
is two or three times that of dry matter consumption,
and increases with high-protein and salt-containing diets. Available snow and high-moisture feeds will reduce
liquid consumption, but still not replace the need for a
good quality water source such as heated water tanks or
springs or streams kept open by the farmer.
ANIMALS’ VOICE 10
In cruelty cases where an animal’s hydration level is in
question, investigators may do a pinch test – pinching
a portion of the animal’s skin between their fingers into
a fold, twisting the skin slightly and releasing to see
whether the skin springs back into place (indicator of
adequate hydration), or remains tented in a ridge and
returns back to its normal position very slowly (indicator of dehydration).
• Heatstroke, sunburn or frostbitten limbs and
appendages
Heatstroke and frostbite are frequent signs of neglect
caused by failure to protect the animals from heat, cold,
wind, or rain with adequate shade, shelter or water.
Such instances of neglect commonly involve farmers
who live on a separate property and visit their animals
infrequently – slowing their response time to changes
in weather conditions by hours or days – or by farmers who simply don’t respond to the changing needs
of their animals. The consequences are often painful
– and in some cases deadly – for the animals involved.
For example, pigs, with little natural protection from
the cold, suffer frostbite quickly, making an insulated or
heated barn, or sufficient dry bedding, essential. Wind
chill can kill pigs, and freezing rain increases their heat
loss and can cause death from hypothermia, even at
temperatures above freezing. Similarly, in summer, pigs,
given that they have few sweat glands, can easily suffer
sunburn and heat stress if they aren’t provided with adequate shade, a cooling activity (such as mud or a wading pool), and water to regulate their body temperature.
Pigs make loud, deep, gasping sounds in heat stress,
and if not cooled quickly by moving them to a cooler
environment and wetting them down with a fine spray
of cool water (pouring cold water on pigs could cause
the pigs to die from shock), brain damage and death
can quickly follow. In fact, pigs can die from excessive
heat in less than 30 minutes following a power failure
in a mechanically ventilated barn during summer conditions. Newly shorn sheep also need protection from
sunburn in warm weather and wind and precipitation
in cold weather.
The road to recovery: mobilizing relief
efforts
Compared to cats and dogs, rescuing neglected and
abused farm animals requires much more complex
and coordinated relief efforts. Farm animal needs differ vastly in terms of transportation, housing, food and
care – and once animals are removed (if the farmer has
failed to follow Ontario SPCA Orders to improve the
animals’ living conditions) or surrendered, Ontario
SPCA Branch or affiliated humane society staff must
immediately mobilize relief efforts that draw from numerous sources to get the animals to safety.
Ever-present challenges involved in farm animal rescues include: transporting animals (often involving a
herd of animals or sick, emaciated or debilitated animals requiring isolation); ensuring the safety of the
animals and themselves while guiding animals into
trucks (often with makeshift corrals and alleyways using boards and other items); finding suitable boarding
facilities or foster farms to provide care, often by enlisting the help of caring farmers (a difficult task if the
animal is pregnant, lactating, requires special care and/
or whose condition may compromise their existing
animals’ health); providing ongoing medical attention;
and meeting costs incurred in transporting, boarding
and rehabilitating animals – plus retaining legal council. These costs can escalate exponentially if the court
case is lengthy, particularly when the accused launches
repeated appeals which can extend the case by months
or even years.
Because they’re worth it
Sadly, the reality of farm life for animals involved in
Ontario SPCA investigations is too often far different
than the one we imagine from the outside looking in.
Yet through the efforts of courageous people willing to
make animal cruelty complaints, individuals generous
with their support, and the perseverance and expertise
of staff at Ontario SPCA Branches and affiliated humane
societies, otherwise overwhelming animal rescues are
made possible.
How you can help
While an animal’s physical condition and
environment speaks poignantly to the
neglect they’ve suffered, without your
voice, animals remain helpless.
Provide animals with greater protection
by urging the provincial government to
strengthen provincial animal cruelty legislation, the Ontario SCPA Act, including
giving investigators inspection powers
and allowing for a lifetime ban from owning animals.
Write:
The Honourable Monte Kwinter
Minister of Community Safety and
Correctional Services
25 Grosvenor Street, 18th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1Y6
For a sample letter visit:
www.ospca.on.ca/sample_letter.doc
Some websites for further
information:
www.carc-crac.ca/english/codes_of_practice
www.ofac.org/issues/animal_resources.php
www.farmissues.com
ANIMALS’ VOICE 11
FRIENDS FOR LIFE!
Adoption
stories
certainly is proof, on a daily basis, of the “power of
love.” It is an intense feeling of pride to know that we
have helped give him a second chance at life.”
Dave & Gwen
S
ugar was adopted from the Ontario
SPCA Kent County Branch
“In 2005 I rescued an abandoned kitten and took him
to the Ontario SPCA; however, I couldn’t stop thinking
about him. I went back to the shelter and decided I had
to adopt him.
R
ebel was adopted from the Ontario
SPCA Orangeville & District Branch
Rebel was rescued after his owner abandoned him, along
with cats and chickens, following an eviction.
“We fell in love with Rebel the moment we saw him
behind the reception desk with shelter staff – clearly
loved by all. He turned his big, beautiful black face towards us and my heart jumped. I knew in that minute
that he needed our love and we needed his.
When we first arrived home with Rebel he was terrified. He spent days lying on his blanket and cowering
when people approached. When we took him outside
he walked slowly, head down, and he didn’t appear to
have an interest in anything.
Since then Rebel’s confidence has exploded! He runs
with his head held high, his eyes are brighter and we
notice a new shine. His tail wags endlessly and he is a
happy dog. He is a gentle giant. He loves children and
he’s quickly discovering that there are numerous fourlegged friends in our circle of family and friends that
are great playmates. Only occasionally do we see his
invisible scars. Like when he flinches if we move too
quickly and startle him.
We absolutely love Rebel. We truly feel that we were
meant to be with him and have him in our family. He
ANIMALS’ VOICE 12
Shortly after he became ill and I took him to the veterinarian who suggested that I put him down. My heart
told me not to give up. I brought him home and syringe
-fed and medicated him every three hours for ten days.
I set the alarm clock so that I wouldn’t miss his feeding
times. To my relief he soon became well and spunky!
In a five-month period Sugar went from six ounces to
seven pounds – he’s now a happy and healthy kitten.
He is the most adorable, loving, kind and giving kitten that I have ever met. He follows my every move
no matter what I do. Sugar plays endlessly with my cat
Sneakers (adopted five years ago) and they are the best
of friends. Sneakers is a bit aloof, but he’s extremely
protective of baby Sugar. Thank you Ontario SPCA!”
Sherryl V. Burke & Paul Kuzma
would simply sit and wait for all of the affection.
D
olly was adopted from the Ontario
SPCA York Region Branch.
Dolly was rescued by the Ontario SPCA from a puppy mill
in 2003 with 62 other dogs, six cats and seven chickens.
The puppy mill operators were the first to receive a lifetime
ban from breeding dogs or cats for sale in Ontario.
“Dolly was a puppy mill rescue at the Ontario SPCA
when I first saw her. She was a Pekingese estimated at
between 10- to 12-years-old. Obviously she had been
used for breeding purposes her whole life and she was
physically worn out when finally rescued. Her teeth
were in such terrible condition from years of neglect it
was neccessary to remove 17 teeth and only two teeth
actually met to allow for chewing.
I felt that I would be able to give her the time and attention she deserved and our two other Pekingese dogs
would be excellent role models. Friends and family said
we were crazy. They asked how we would be able to train
and socialize a 12-year-old. However, we went with our
hearts once we saw her, and, looking back, we have absolutely no regrets and nothing but wonderful memories.
Once home, all Dolly wanted to do was sit on our laps
and be stroked, or lay on her back in our arms like a
baby and have her tummy rubbed. If we stopped rubbing her, she would put her two front paws together
and paw our hands to get our attention and let us know
she hadn’t had enough yet.
Each morning we would take all three dogs for a walk.
Dolly loved meeting all the children on their way to
school. Dolly actually inspired one of our neighbour’s
children to write an essay about her and the horror of
puppy mills. Children would run up to her and she
One morning after Dolly had been with us for 20
months, she did not want to go for a walk. I knew
something was terribly wrong. We took her to our veterinary hospital. An x-ray revealed Dolly was bleeding
internally from a large cancer tumour that had burst.
The doctor said that she was so ill that it would be impossible to save her. The most compassionate thing to
do would be to put her to sleep before she went into
convulsions. I took Dolly outside the vet’s office into
a beautiful garden area so she would not be frightened
and the vet came out to give her the injection. I held
Dolly in my arms, stroked her tummy and told her what
a good girl she was. My husband bent down, kissed her
on the head and said, “Goodbye Dolly.” Instinctively
she once again put her two paws together and pawed
the air for more tummy rubs. With that she died. My
husband and I were heartbroken.
All who knew her were very saddened at Dolly’s passing. The outpouring of affection was unbelievable. In
fact, the neighbour’s child who wrote the essay sent us a
remembrance card for Dolly. We took one of the many
photos of Dolly, had it enlarged, and put a caption on it
that read, “Dolly, Simply the Best.”
“We went with our hearts once we
saw her, and, looking back, we have
absolutely no regrets and nothing
but wonderful memories.”
After Dolly passed away we said we wouldn’t adopt
right away; however, shortly after we heard about
another puppy mill seizure from a Lucknow property
in Bruce County and we adopted Zoe, a five-year-old
poodle frightened of people.
Dolly and Zoe reacted to the terrible circumstances of
their lives so differently. Dolly was immediately ready
to trust and love, while with Zoe trust must be earned.
She is a wonderfully sweet dog and it so rewarding to see
her slowly opening up to us. I can’t thank the Ontario
SPCA enough for giving these dogs a second chance.”
Cynthia Kirschner
ANIMALS’ VOICE 13
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers
making a
difference
S
ara Ballantyne has been volunteering with the Ontario
SPCA Renfrew County Branch for the past four years
and is in the unique position of being a “long distance” volunteer – living in Toronto, 406 kilometers away from the
shelter’s Petawawa location on the western shores of the Ottawa River. Sara, a freelance web designer, responded to the
Branch’s appeal for help with their website and has since
spent countless hours designing and maintaining the site.
Each year Sara makes a special Christmas visit to the shelter
when she visits her parents and cat, Casper, in Petawawa.
Ontario SPCA Renfrew County Branch Manager, Tracy
McElman, says her volunteer commitment has been a blessing to the shelter. “Thank you Sara!”
“I am very grateful to the Ontario SPCA Renfrew
Branch for choosing me to take care of their website.
I have been their webmaster since February 2002. I designed the site and develop and maintain the site on
an ongoing basis. Each week I am emailed adoption
updates with photos to be posted, and when required,
I’m emailed other information to post, such as press
releases or event details.
Like the animals, the website is a precious piece of the
shelter. It allows for education, assistance, praise and
promise. It allows shelter staff to educate people about
the Branch’s programs and activities, and it inspires
people to assist the shelter and its animals. It gives the
shelter a forum to praise those who help and allows
people to praise the shelter for the amazing work it does
each day. Finally, it gives all the wonderful animals the
promise of a better life in a loving home. I am grateful
to be a part of this promise and I look forward to being
a part of it for many years to come.
Prior to working with the shelter I did not have distinct
opinions of animal shelters or adoptions, however, since
then I’ve learned about the Ontario SPCA’s extraordinary work and I believe that it’s a wonderful gift to adopt
from a shelter and to give an animal another chance.
There are many things I love about volunteering, including the knowledge that my efforts are helping
inform people about the shelter and are helping animals find homes. I feel most proud when I find out
that someone has driven from as far away as Toronto
to adopt a pet they saw on the website I created. I also
love the fact that technology allows me to work from a
distance with people in Renfrew County and elsewhere
to develop a site that can be accessed by anyone.
I highly recommend volunteering for (or at) a shelter.
There are so many different ways you can volunteer
your time, and it’s a wonderful feeling knowing that
what you do – no matter how big or small – is helping
the animals in some way.”
~ Sara Ballantyne
ANIMALS’ VOICE 14
T
hey say “every dog has its day” – and for dogs at the
Ontario SPCA Orangeville & District Branch January
18, 2005 was that day. It was then that volunteer dog walking coordinator Karen McKimmon submitted a volunteer
application. Due to Karen’s demonstrated commitment to
work with the shelter’s dogs and her wealth of animal experience, eight months after her first volunteer visit Karen
was promoted to Canine Comrade Coordinator, responsible
for the training, orientation and follow-up of all new volunteer dog walkers. “Thanks to Karen’s excellent work our
dogs reap the benefits of both her efforts and the efforts of
each new volunteer following in her footsteps,” says Ontario
SPCA Orangeville District Branch Manager Carol Hulcoop.
“I have heard some people say that they couldn’t volunteer at an animal shelter because they think it would
be a sad place to work. On the contrary, I find it very
upbeat and positive and I am always amazed by the
many successful adoptions.
Currently I spend at least two sessions a week walking
and exercising the dogs. This includes some on-leash
walking with basic training guidance and also off-leash
play with toys in a spacious pen. When there are new
Canine Comrade volunteers to train I find a mutually
suitable time to meet, which is outside the time I spend
one-on-one with the dogs.
I have always promoted shelters as a good place to go
when looking for a pet. I currently live in a home where
two existing pets adopted me – Tony, a 10-year-old miniature poodle, and Pita, a 10-year-old Maine coon-mix
cat – however, before them I adopted Rex, a five-yearold, 50-pound German shepherd-mix. We had Rex for
nine enjoyable years until old age took him from us.
Since I started volunteering I am even more convinced
that anyone can find their special pet at a shelter. I have
seen so many lovable dogs in my time here. Fortunately, other people see the sparkle in them too and take
them to a new home.
Volunteering gives me the feeling that I am helping fill
a need and providing a useful and appreciated service.
I love the spontaneity of animals and how they thrive
on attention and are eager to play. They give me a lot
of pleasure, keep me in the moment and I get such joy
when they are relaxed, happy and playful.
I definitely recommend volunteering with the Ontario
SPCA to others. There is such a variety of positions that
everyone is bound to find their niche. The shelter staff
are very friendly, helpful and patient and compassionate and gentle with the animals. Also, I have gotten to
know some of the volunteers and I’ve discovered we
have a lot in common. The animals – and people – make
volunteering a wonderful and rewarding experience.”
~ Karen McKimmon
ANIMALS’ VOICE 15
WORKING IN THE FRONT LINE
Kashechewan:
Spay North
2006
O
n February 23, 2006 the Ontario SPCA
Spay North team flew to the First Nation Community of Kashechewan to provide veterinary services to the community’s
animal population. The project resulted in
the spaying, neutering, vaccination and deworming of over 100 cats and dogs.
population is such a significant and enduring problem
in many remote communities. Northern communities
that are without a veterinarian are unable to spay, neuter, vaccinate or humanely euthanize the animals. A
common solution is therefore shooting by a contractor
or community member. However, new litters of puppies mean the solution is only temporary.
The eight-member team, lead by Ontario SPCA Senior
Inspector Alison McAllister, included a veterinarian,
veterinary technicians and Ontario SPCA animal care
staff. During the five-day project veterinary team members vaccinated and dewormed 119 cats and dogs. Of
these, 104 were spayed and neutered (34 dogs spayed
and 57 neutered; seven cats spayed and six neutered)
– almost double the number from the first Spay North
project in November 2004, in the northern communities of Moose Factory and Moosonee. The team also
brought back 29 surrendered animals including two
adult cats, five kittens, eight adult dogs and 14 puppies
– which have since been adopted.
Both projects were made possible through contributions from animal welfare organizations, concerned
companies and public support. For Spay North 2006
the International Fund for Animal Welfare provided
financial assistance as well as a donation of vaccines,
and the World Society for the Protection of Animals, Sir
Sandford Fleming College and members of the public
provided financial support. Additionally, the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society donated supplies such as
cages and outdoor kennels, and the Lincoln County Humane Society provided staff to go to Kashechewan and
agreed to shelter some of the dogs that were brought
back. It was a wonderful collaborative approach.
Team leader Alison McAllister discusses the project and
its impact on the animals and the community.
How did Spay North originate?
In May 2002 a Moose Factory resident wrote to the island’s Chief expressing deep concern for the well-being
of dogs in her community and forwarded a copy of the
letter to the Ontario SPCA and other humane societies.
Like many isolated northern communities with little or
no access to veterinary care, Moose Factory had many
free-roaming owned and stray dogs, leading to serious
problems such as dog packs, disease and starvation. The
letter struck a deep chord with us because dog over-
ANIMALS’ VOICE 16
What was required to get the project going?
What can the great success of Spay North 2006
be attributed to?
What impact will Spay North have on the
Kashechewan community?
Certainly the success of both Spay North projects can
be attributed to all team members. Everyone played important roles – from gathering the dogs who roam loose
in the community to providing post-surgery care. We
also had excellent veterinarians and veterinary technicians that worked extremely hard and long hours to
accomplish our goals. Pam Armstrong, a Kashechewan
teacher, was key to our success. She was responsible for
the organization and implementation of the program
in the community – and during the water crisis evacuation she cared for the dogs the community was forced
to leave. Undoubtedly, our team’s extraordinary work
would have been impossible without those organizations and individuals who stepped forward and gave
such generous support.
The project has helped Kashechewan take a very positive step towards decreasing the number of dogs in the
community using a humane and long-term solution –
spaying and neutering. It also contributed to the health
and well-being of the animals, residents and wildlife
population by implementing disease control through
vaccinations (including rabies and parvo virus) and deworming – and by effectively decreasing dog fights over
females in heat.
What was the team’s greatest challenge?
The travel distance required to accomplish the project
was a great challenge. Kashechewan is an isolated community 600 kilometers northwest of Sudbury and in
the winter is only accessible by plane (a two-hour flight
from Sudbury) or an ice road. Another great challenge
was fitting our surgical equipment and supplies – along
with nine team members – into the small plane.
What can people do to help?
There are at least two more nothern communities
interested in running a Spay North program.
People interested in making a donation to help make
the next Spay North projects a reality can call Cathy
at 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) ext. 322 or
ccrouse@ospca.on.ca.
Donations will be used for project expenses including
the flight, medical supplies and veterinary services.
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
Animal PAC Monthly Giving Plan
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$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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from my credit card on the first of each month.
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ANIMALS’ VOICE 17
TO THE RESCUE
Evacuating the
animal victims of
the Kashechewan
flood
O
n April 25, the Ontario SPCA deployed
staff to the Kashechewan First Nations
community to recue over 100 animals left
behind after rising floodwaters forced the
emergency evacuation of the community’s residents. The dangerous floodwaters
placed the animals at risk of starvation,
disease and injury.
Ontario SPCA Acting Chief Inspector Hugh Coghill
led the 12-member team, which included a veterinarian, and investigations and animal care staff. The team
drove from the Ontario SPCA Provincial Office in Newmarket to Sudbury, and from there flew two hours to
Kashechewan aboard planes supplied by the Ministry
of Natural Resources.
In Kashechewan staff faced the task of rounding up and
crating 97 dogs, most of which roam free in the community. In addition to the dogs, the team also rescued
nine cats, two budgies, three fish and one turtle.
An incredible amount of effort and dedication went
into the rescue – from the people who received the initial call for help and overcame numerous hurdles to secure the planes – to those who staffed the control centre, loaded dogs onto the planes in Kashechewan, and
unloaded, cleaned, fed and cared for the animals when
the plane landed back in Sudbury. The Ontario SPCA is
also very appreciative of Minister David Ramsay’s assis-
A rescue team member en route to gather more dogs
illustrates the enormous size of the ice formations
that prevented the Albany River from flowing, causing dangerous floodwaters to put the community
residents and animals at risk.
ANIMALS’ VOICE 18
Rescue team members gathered the roaming dogs and
placed them in trucks for transport to the airfield.
tance in securing the planes for this emergency rescue
– a critical component to this rescue as Kashechewan
is a fly-in community with no road access – PetSmart
Charities for their generous donation of $10,000 to
support the relief effort – as well as the commitment of
Jim Prentice, Minister of the Department of Indian and
Northern Affairs Canada, to assist with the cost of the
rescue effort, which may exceed $300,000.
The dogs are currently being cared for in boarding facilities and humane societies in northern Ontario, as the
residents are still not able to return to Kashechewan.
The Ontario SPCA has notified the residents about
their dogs and will assist with reuniting the dogs with
their guardians.
1
3
4
Kashew, approximately eight months old, suffered
a leg injury when he was just a few months old. He
had been unable to use the leg since the injury.
2
At the airfield, dogs
waited
in
kennel
crates for loading
onto the planes (1).
It took a team effort
to get the dogs carefully loaded (2&3). An
Air Creebec staff person works to secure
the cages within the
plane to ensure safe
travel for the dogs (4).
Following his rescue, Kashew underwent surgery to
have the lame leg amputated. Ontario SPCA Agent
Wendy Sunega, who developed a special bond with
this canine survivor, enjoys a special moment with
Kashew after his surgery. Kashew is now enjoying
life with his new adoptive family.
ANIMALS’ VOICE 19
TRAINING TIPS
Muzzle training
your dog
M
uzzles are used to reduce the risk a
dog poses to people and other animals
by restricting the dog’s ability to bite.
your dog is already struggling with wearing a muzzle
try incorporating some of the training pointers to help
him learn to adjust.
They are commonly used by veterinarians and animal
care staff concerned with handling or treating frightened, injured or distressed dogs, as well as anyone
managing or introducing dogs that may be aggressive
to people or other animals. Some municipal bylaws or
provincial legislation, such as Ontario’s Dog Owners’ Liability Act, may require your dog to be muzzled when off
your property, or on your property in an unsecured area.
What type of muzzle should I buy for my dog?
Here are some tips to help guide you as you select a
muzzle and present it to your pet. How you introduce
a muzzle to your dog can have a significant impact on
how quickly he is able to accept wearing it calmly. If
It is important to purchase a muzzle that allows for
normal breathing, panting and drinking. Basket style
muzzles, such as the one pictured below, are recommended by the Ontario SPCA because they allow your
pet to be comfortable during regular outdoor activity
– however, no muzzle should be worn for a long period
of time. The Ontario SPCA does not regard alternative
styles of muzzles as appropriate because they restrict
the dog’s ability to pant, trapping heat inside the dog’s
body, and prevent the dog from being able to drink water – increasing the dog’s vulnerability to overheating
and heatstroke.
Where can I buy basket muzzles?
Basket style muzzles are available from most pet supply stores, although you may need to request that your
retailer stock or order the item. Plastic or plastic-coated
wire basket muzzles are preferred, as uncoated wire baskets can injure your dog in hot or cold weather.
How do I know if the muzzle fits my dog
properly?
Basket style muzzles are available in different sizes designed to fit a wide range of dog breeds. You can use
size guides from the manufacturer as a general guideline, but you will need to place the muzzle on your dog
to determine whether a particular size proerly fits your
dog’s head.
A properly fitted basket muzzle should have a strap that
sits snugly against your dog’s neck. The strap needs to
be tight enough to hold the muzzle in place and pre-
ANIMALS’ VOICE 20
vent your dog from pawing the muzzle off, but there
should be space for about two fingers to slip between
the strap and your dog’s neck. The length of the muzzle’s “basket” needs to be appropriate for the length of
your dog’s nose. There should be about 1.25 cm (0.5
in.) of space between the end of your dog’s nose and
the front of the muzzle’s interior.
Once you’ve found a muzzle that fits your dog properly, it’s important to routinely check for any signs
that your dog is experiencing discomfort. Although it
is natural for your dog to be somewhat uncomfortable
wearing the muzzle initially, there should be no signs
of chafing, skin irritation or similar injury. You should
also check the fit of the muzzle regularly as the muzzle
strap may stretch and require adjustment.
It’s important to routinely check
for any signs that your dog is
experiencing discomfort.
How can I help my dog adjust
to wearing a muzzle?
Below are four steps to help your dog learn to accept
wearing a muzzle. Be patient and work at a rate that
is comfortable for your pet. Most dogs will adjust to
the muzzle within a few days to a few weeks.
1. Try to make your dog’s first experience with the
muzzle positive. Show your dog the muzzle. While
she’s investigating it give her a treat. After feeding
the treat put the muzzle away or out of sight. Repeat
this sequence several times, or until your dog looks at
you for a treat as soon as you show the muzzle.Your
dog’s introduction to the muzzle should not be in a
fearful or stressful situation.
2. Encourage your dog to place his head in the muzzle
by luring with treats. With the muzzle facing your dog,
hold or place treats on the inside rim and encourage
your dog to take them. If your dog readily takes the
treats, start holding or placing the treats further inside the muzzle so that your dog must stick his head
deeper into the muzzle to retrieve the treats.
3. Increase the time your dog wears the muzzle without fastening it. Place the muzzle on your dog’s head
for a couple seconds and feed a treat while the muzzle
is still on. Slowly increase the time your dog is wearing it from several seconds to several minutes while
rewarding your dog with treats. Remove the muzzle
when your dog is calm and quiet.
4. Try fastening the muzzle and increase the time
worn. When your dog calmly accepts the muzzle you
can try fastening it for increasing lengths of time until she will comfortably wear it for fifteen or twenty
minutes. To help your dog adjust to the muzzle more
quickly reward her with play, affection, treats, belly
rubs or walks – activities your dog enjoys – while she
is wearing the muzzle. This will distract your dog and
help her associate wearing the muzzle with activities
she finds fun or relaxing.
Try to remove the muzzle when your dog is calm.
Taking off the muzzle when your dog is struggling to
remove it will encourage her to repeat the behavior
because she may think it will get the muzzle removed.
You can encourage her to leave it alone temporarily
by distracting her (for example, clapping your hands,
squeaking a squeaky toy, bouncing a ball or giving
the leash a gentle tug). Take note that you may be
expecting too much too soon. Go back a step and
take it slower.
ANIMALS’ VOICE 21
SOCIETY NEWS
Friends for Life! Adoption campaign
enters its third year
If you are considering adding a new pet to your life the
Ontario SPCA’s Friends for Life! campaign encourages
you to make adoption your first option.
Now in its third year, the campaign’s goal is to find
homes for the thousands of wonderful animals in Ontario SPCA adoption centres across the province. It is
estimated that just 17% of companion animals are obtained through adoption. The Ontario SPCA, with the
generous support of its Friends for Life! sponsors Global
& Ryan’s Pet Foods, Nutram Pet Products and Westmont Hospitality Group, aims to boost that number by
informing the public about the adoption option. Cats
and dogs of all ages, shapes, sizes and breeds, as well
as birds, rabbits, guinea pigs and more are waiting in
hope for a home, someone to share life with, someone
to love them, and be loved back many times over.
“Adopting an animal is one of the most important
and thoughtful decisions anyone can make,” says Keri
Semenko, Acting Director of Animal Sheltering and
Wildlife Services. “It is the opportunity to give rescued,
homeless animals a second chance while adding an immense source of love and fun to your life.”
Ontario SPCA adoption staff will help you find your
perfect pet match, and are always available for any
post-adoption questions you may have. As well, when
you adopt a cat or dog from the Ontario SPCA you get
great value – your new pet will be spayed/neutered and
vaccinated, plus you will receive helpful literature on
caring for your new pet.
In celebration of the Friends for Life! campaign, Global
& Ryan’s Pet Foods is providing pet adopters with discount coupons for pet food and supplies, Nutram Pet
Products is offering discount coupons for Nutram pet
food wherever these products are sold, and Westmont
Hospitality Group is providing $15-off coupons for visits to their pet-friendly hotels across the province.
“This year-long promotion will help spread the word
about the benefits of animal adoption, as well as remind people that the animals we bring into our lives
truly do become our friends for life,” says Semenko.
To see the many wonderful animals awaiting adoption visit an Ontario SPCA animal adoption centre in
your community or www.ospca.on.ca and click on
“The Animals.”
ANIMALS’ VOICE 22
Napanee shelter to stay open!
The Ontario SPCA and the Society’s Lennox & Addington Branch in Napanee extend a huge thank you to
the more than 20,000 Ontarians who signed petitions
and the thousands more who wrote letters to government to prevent the closure of the Branch. This thank
you extends also to the City of Greater Napanee which
sold the municipally-owned dog control facility to the
Ontario SPCA at a nominal cost to help sustain animal
protection and care services by the Ontario SPCA in the
community.
“The Lennox and Addington Branch has had a wonderful reputation in its community and we are thrilled
to be able to remain here,” says Ontario SPCA Acting
CEO, Mike Draper.
“The Branch required high capital expenditures to make
this facility safe for both the staff and the animals, in
addition to operating with a deficit every year,” explains
Draper. “In the past the Ontario SPCA Provincial Office
has been able to absorb this deficit, but it can no longer
You
Benefit.
And the animals do too.
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modular, you can change your options any time.
By choosing this card, you’ll enjoy the flexibility that comes
with building a card that is truly yours, plus you’ll help
support the Ontario SPCA everytime you use it to make a
purchase.
Apply for the Ontario SPCA Mosaik MasterCard today.
Simply apply online at www.bmo.com/mosaik/ospca
or call the Ontario SPCA at 1-888-668-7722 ext. 321
for more information
afford to do this. If we had kept open a Branch that
we could not sustain in the long-term, we would have
put at risk the welfare and protection of all of the animals we care for everyday across the province. People
from across Ontario who signed petitions in support of
the Branch, along with the support of the Town, have
made it possible for us to continue to serve the animal
protection and care needs of Napanee.”
As grateful as the Society is for this support, it still
believes that the provincial government should have
been the one to step up and offer support. “In February
2005, following a government-commissioned review of
the Ontario SPCA, the government received a report
based on the review that called for the government to
fund the animal protection services we are mandated
to provide under the Ontario SPCA Act,” says Draper.
“The government has stalled in following through on
this recommendation, even though we have clearly
outlined to the government the desperate financial
situation we are in. All we have asked is that they financially support the investigations services they have
given us the responsibility to carry out. If the government could step up and do that, then we could ensure
that all of our public donations are dedicated to our
animal sheltering and care services.”
On June 30 the keys to the new facility were officially
handed over to the Ontario SPCA Lennox & Addington Branch. Some retrofitting is required and will be
paid for through the sale of the existing Branch facility. Once the new facility is complete – most likely in
September – the Branch will hold an Open House to
formally thank the community and the Town for its
overwhelming support.
+HRZQVDSLHFHRI\RXUKHDUW
Ontario SPCA efforts help achieve legislative change that will benefit animals
At Nutram we understand
that you want the finest
food for your best friend.
This spring there were amendments to two pieces of
provincial legislation that will improve protection for
animals. First, an amendment to the Emergency Measures Act allows for the government to order the evacuation of animals during an emergency situation, such
as a flood or tornado.
That’s why every ingredient in
our food is human grade – because
we know that nothing else is good
enough for someone you love.
Second, the Good Government Act (Bill 190) called for
amendments to a number of statutes, including the
Ontario SPCA Act – the Act that provides the Society’s
investigators with its police powers. The amendments
now allow for the Society’s investigators, with or without a warrant, to request more than one veterinarian
or other animal welfare specialist, such as a livestock
transporter, nutritionist or government agency inspec-
Proud supporters of the
Ontario SPCA
100% Canadian Owned
ANIMALS’ VOICE 23
PROTECTING ANIMALS THROUGH GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE
How to use your life insurance as a charitable gift
Traditionally life insurance is used to protect loved ones. However, as children age or
we become financially secure, the reasons for purchasing life insurance may not be as
significant as they once were. Donating life insurance policies to charities is a wonderful
and affordable way to leave a lasting legacy of compassion and care.
By donating a new or existing life insurance policy to The Ontario Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the Ontario SPCA) you can help ensure abused,
abandoned and neglected animals continue to receive protection, shelter and care for
generations to come. At the same time you will generate a very generous contribution,
typically larger than would be possible out of an individual income; and receive tax
relief, often in the years of maximum earnings when it is most welcome.
The gift of an existing policy
If you find yourself with an existing policy that is no longer needed there are two
options you may wish to consider to help animals.
• You can donate the life insurance policy by making the Ontario SPCA the owner and
beneficiary. Setting up your policy in this way will allow you to receive a tax receipt for
any cash value in the policy and for any premiums that you pay; or
• You can keep the policy in your name and change the beneficiary to the Ontario
SPCA. By setting up the policy in this way your estate will receive a tax receipt upon
your death, reducing final tax charges.
The gift of a new policy
Many donors decide it’s preferable to purchase a new life insurance policy. Again, there
are two options to consider when deciding how to help animals.
• You can make the Ontario SPCA the owner and beneficiary of the policy and receive a
tax receipt for the premiums you pay every year. This option is beneficial if you have a
high income and would like the benefit of reduced taxes; or
• You can be the owner of the policy and designate the Ontario SPCA as the beneficiary.
This will mean that your estate will receive a tax receipt upon your death. This option
is beneficial if you have a moderate income and would like to reduce estate income
taxes.
Endowment funds
You may also choose to place the insurance proceeds into an endowment fund. The
insurance proceeds are permanently invested and only the income is expended to help
animals in need. Endowments assist the Ontario SPCA with long-range planning and
ensure the Ontario SPCA will be there – always – to save and protect animals.
TAX TIPS ~
HOW YOUR GIFT GIVES BACK!
GIFT OF AN EXISTING POLICY
Example: If you had an existing $100,000 life
insurance policy costing $75/month you could:
Designate the Ontario SPCA as the owner and
beneficiary of the policy
Receive a $900 donation receipt each year (for cash
value in the policy and for any premiums that you
pay) saving you approximately $360 in taxes owing.
or
Stay the owner and designate the Ontario SPCA
as the beneficiary
Your estate would receive a tax receipt of $100,000
upon your death, saving your estate close to
$40,000 in taxes owing.
GIFT OF A NEW POLICY
Example: If you purchased a $100,000 life insurance
policy for a cost of $75/month you could:
Designate the Ontario SPCA as the owner and
beneficiary of the policy
After yearly tax savings your true net cost would be
approximately $45 per month.
or
Stay the owner and designate the Ontario SPCA
as the beneficiary
Your estate would receive a tax receipt of $100,000
upon your death, saving your estate close to
$40,000 in taxes owing.
HOW TO MAKE A GIFT OF LIFE INSURANCE
For a quotation or further information about how you can
donate a life insurance policy and leave a lasting legacy,
Please contact our Development Department at
1-888-668-7722 or info@ospca.on.ca.
tor, to attend an inspection to assist with assessing,
treating or transporting animals. The amendments also
call for people appealing their case to the Animal Care
Review Board to provide a specific reason for the appeal, which will hopefully move the appeals process
along more quickly and reduce the time that animals
need to be held in shelters.
“We are very pleased with these legislative amendments,” says Mike Draper, Acting CEO. “We have been
working for a long time on behalf of animals to achieve
these changes, and it is an accomplishment worth waiting for.”
In another positive move, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has created the position of Humane Standards Officer as a result of Justice
Haines’ review of the meat inspection process and consultation with the Ontario SPCA. The position is expected to be filled by fall 2006. “It is our hope that this
new position will help ensure the humane treatment
and welfare of animals in provincially-licensed abattoirs,” says Draper.
NEW
Friends for Life!
merchandise available
You can now show your support for
the Ontario SPCA’s Friends for Life! campaign by visiting the Ontario SPCA gift
store and selecting new merchandise
with the Friends for Life! logo, including:
t-shirts, tote bags, baseball caps, dog
bandanas and hooded and crew-neck
sweatshirts. Now in its third year, the
campaign’s goal is to find homes for the thousands of
wonderful animals in Ontario SPCA adoption centres
across the province. It is estimated that just 17 percent
of companion animals are obtained through adoption.
Help animals waiting for new homes and promote animal adoption by shopping at our online store.
Visit www.ospca.on.ca/ych_stor.html or contact
Allister at: 1-888-668-7722 ext. 302 or
amackenzie@ospca.on.ca.
Congratulations for making the
Friends for Life! Walk-a-thon a success
May 28 marked the first ever province-wide “Ontario
SPCA Friends for Life! Walk-a-thon,” an event created by
the Society to raise awareness and funds for the protection and care of all animals in Ontario. Congratulations
to everyone involved for making the event a success
including presenting sponsor, Nutram Pet Products,
official sponsor, Global Ryan’s Pet Foods, and to local
Branch sponsors throughout Ontario. We’d also like to
thank the incredible Ontario SPCA staff, volunteers and
participants (both two-legged and four-legged!) whose
inspiring efforts helped raise over $140,000 to support
lifesaving Ontario SPCA programs, including providing care to the thousands of animals in Ontario SPCA
adoption centres across the province that are waiting in
hope of finding their own “friend for life.”
Other ways your support helps:
• Investigating more than 16,000 reports of animal abuse annually and prosecuting offenders.
• Providing injured and orphaned wildlife with
rehabilitation and then released back into their natural habitat.
• Educating the public and informing the
government on animal welfare issues.
• Delivering effective humane education
programs to schools and community groups across the province.
Fourth Dog Day hits a homerun
The Toronto Blue Jays and Ontario SPCA partnered
once again to host the Dog Days of Summer at the Rogers Centre July 16. A special “Dog Zone” seating area in
the 100-level outfield was sectioned off for hundreds of
baseball-loving dogs and their owners with a portion of
ticket sales donated to the Ontario SPCA.
The exciting action-packed afternoon included a pregame dog parade on the field for owners to show off
their four-legged friends, special pet-related activities
before and during the game, a Blue Jays cap giveaway
and an exciting match-up between the Blue Jays and
the visiting Seattle Mariners. Exhibitors were also set up
in the “Dog Zone” concourse for attendees to browse.
Helping the visiting dogs feel like VIP guests were a
team of Ontario SPCA staff and volunteers who regis-
ANIMALS’ VOICE 25
SPAY & NEUTER
The responsible choice.
For COUNTLESS reasons.
For more information, please contact:
info@ospca.on.ca • www.ospca.on.ca • 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) or your veterinarian.
tered dogs and their owners at the gate, provided dog
sitting services for owners who needed to leave the Dog
Zone, kept water stations topped with fresh cool water
and toured the stands to ensure the dogs’ comfort and
safety. Thanks to our baseball loving supporters, staff
and volunteers for making the event a success!
Look for the Ontario SPCA at an event
near you
As part of the Ontario SPCA’s initiative to help educate
people about the humane treatment of animals, promote animal adoption and share information about
the Society’s role and services, the Ontario SPCA will be
hosting a booth at a variety of events throughout the
year. If you have questions, concerns or comments – or
you’d just like to say hello – please drop by our booth.
We love visitors! Some recent events we attended included the All About Pets Show (Mississauga), Spring
Family Show (Markham), Sunoco Earth Day (Newmarket), Schomberg Fair (Schomberg), Woofstock (Toronto)
and Slobberfest (Toronto). Upcoming events we’ll be attending include the Royal Winter Fair at the National
Trade Centre at Exhibition Place, Toronto November 3
to 12. For a list of other upcoming events we’ll be attending, or to let us know about an event in your area,
contact Lexie at lwhite@ospca.on.ca or 1-888-668-7722
ext. 353.
Thanks for sending us your used stamps,
Canadian Tire money and cashier tapes
Many thanks to those of you who
collect and send in cancelled postage
stamps and Canadian Tire money.
Please keep them coming! The Society receives funding from the resale
of used stamps and uses Canadian
ANIMALS’ VOICE 27
Support the animals by purchasing Ontario SPCA
merchandise. Great quality merchandise at fantastic
prices – all bearing the message, “Friends for Life!”
There are lots of other items on our website, go to:
www.ospca.on.ca/webstore or call Allister at
1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722) extension 302.
T-Shirt (navy or white)
Crew Neck Sweatshirt
Hooded Zip Front Sweatshirt
Tote bag
Baseball Cap
Dog Bandana
M, L, XL, XXL
M, L, XL, XXL
L, XL, XXL
N/A
ONE SIZE
N/A
T-Shirt
Crew Neck Sweatshirt
$12.99
$26.95
Hooded Zip Front Sweatshirt
Tote bag
$29.95
$11.50
$12.99
$26.95
$29.95
$11.50
$9.99
$4.50
Tire money to buy supplies.
Send to: Allister MacKenzie at Ontario SPCA Provincial
Office, 16586 Woodbine Avenue, RR3, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 4W1.
We’d also like to extend a big thank you to the people
that send in cashier tapes from A&P, Ultra Food & Drug
and Dominion for the Ontario SPCA Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (many who send us tapes every month!).
We receive tapes from across Ontario which are traded
at the end of the year for a dollar amount. Please continue to send your cashier tapes to:
Ontario SPCA Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre,
15979 Highway 12, RR 1, Midland, ON L4R 4K3.
Please note that this program will be ending on
December 31, 2006.
Ontario SPCA e-newsletter gets a fresh
new look. Sign-up today!
We’ve recently redesigned the Ontario SPCA’s free bimonthly e-newsletter, Newshound, and given it an entirely new look! If you’re already a subscriber – we hope
you like it! If you don’t receive Newshound we invite
you to subscribe by emailing newshound@ospca.on.ca
and entering “Subscribe” as the subject line.
Newshound features:
• Animals available for adoption;
• Inspiring stories about animals that have found loving homes;
• Investigations updates;
• Information about Ontario SPCA events,
programs and campaigns;
• Helpful animal behaviour and training tips for people who are mystified by their pet’s animal ways; and
• Different ways you can help the animals!
ANIMALS’ VOICE 29
FOCUS
Travelling
safely with
your pet
W
hether you plan on travelling with your
pet by plane, train, automobile or
boat, taking appropriate precautions and
making necessary preparations are essential to ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey for you and your pet – be it down the
street, cross country or across the globe.
On the road
Road trips are generally the easiest and most relaxing
way to travel with your pet. Train your pet to travel in
a car by taking her on lots of short car trips to places
she loves. For your pet’s safety and your own, confine
her to the back seat, either in a carrier or pet seatbelt (a
special harness that attaches to the car’s seatbelt).
To keep your pet comfortable throughout the trip:
• Keep the car at a comfortable temperature using air conditioning or heat when necessary (never leave your pet alone inside the vehicle, even with windows partially open, it only takes minutes for an animal to develop heatstroke or freeze);
• Feed your pet a light meal at least four hours before the trip (to help prevent car sickness);
• Prevent your pet from sticking her head out the window (sudden stops and debris can cause injury);
• Schedule rest stops every two to four hours for exercise, bathroom and water breaks (bring a
litter box for cats);
• Attach your pet’s leash before opening the car door (to prevent accidental escapes);
• If your pet’s not used to travelling use a harness (it’s more difficult for your pet to wriggle out of);
• If crossing borders bring a copy of any required documents (e.g. proof of vaccinations); and
• Keep the car sound system volume moderate due to the sensitivity of dogs’ and cats’ hearing.
ANIMALS’ VOICE 30
Taking flight
While some pets take to the sky with the air of seasoned
veterans, many pets find flying a stressful experience.
The largest impact on your pet’s comfort and safety will
be where he is contained while travelling in the plane.
Small pets can often be taken into the passenger cabin
with your carry-on luggage and kept under the seat in
front of you throughout the flight. Less fortunate are
larger pets that must travel in the cargo hold.
Your pet may be at risk of heatstroke or hypothermia
before the plane leaves the runway if placed inside the
cargo hold too early in warm or cold weather – airlines
generally don’t turn on the air conditioning or heat in
the cargo hold until take off. Animals prone to severe
respiratory difficulties in an airplane’s poorly ventilated
cargo hold, including cats, snub-nosed dogs (boxers,
pugs etc.) and long-nosed dogs (collies, shelties etc.),
should be kept in the passenger cabin with their owner
if possible. To help ease the stress of travel:
• Take your pet to the veterinarian to update all vaccinations and obtain any legal documents needed (very old, very young, pregnant, ill and injured animals should not fly);
• Purchase a durable travel carrier that is large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around in (check with the airline to determine size allow-
ances and special requirements);
• Help your pet adjust to the carrier several weeks before your flight (start by leaving the door open and placing treats, meals or toys inside);
• Exercise your pet before leaving for the airport and feed a light meal three to four hours before take-off;
• Give your pet water right up to the time of travel, and, if the airline allows, take your pet for a walk and bathroom break shortly before boarding;
• Ask if it’s possible for you to observe your pet
being loaded onto the plane;
• Inform the flight crew that your pet is travelling in the cargo hold (they may take special precau-
tions or trips to check on your pet and ensure heating/air conditioning is functioning); and
• If you are not on a direct flight, ask to check on your pet during the layover.
Navigating the waterways
During the summer months boating is a popular activity, especially in cottage country. If you plan on taking
your pet out on the water with you be sure to invest
in a pet life jacket – even good swimmers can tire easily in rough water, and banks may be slippery or steep
to climb. Life jackets not only keep your pet afloat if
she’s “jumped ship,” they can help protect against hypothermia in cold water and can make it easier to pull
her onboard. It’s also important to remember that it
can get very hot on the water so be sure to provide a
shaded area for your pet to rest, and bring plenty of
fresh water to prevent dehydration and heat stroke. If
you are planning to be on the water for a long period
of time you may need to bring a portable potty system
(a square piece of turf may work for some dogs or look
up “pets and portable potty system” on the Internet).
It is also advisable to call the marina in advance to determine their policies regarding pets.
Use a durable travel
carrier that is large
enough for your
pet to stand up
and turn around in.
Riding the rails
If you are planning to travel by train the same precautions and guidelines should be followed as with the
other forms of travel. Some train companies do not allow pets on board so research their pet travel policies
before booking your trip.
At your destination
Today a surprising number of accommodations welcome pets. See the ad on page 33 for a list of some participating pet-friendly hotel locations. Before booking
ask about pet policies. Lodgings may have restrictions
on the types or size of pets allowed, or they may designate only certain rooms for animals. Properties may
also have policies that pets must be crated when unattended, or not left alone at all. If you’re travelling with
a dog ask for a room on the first floor with direct access
outside, ideally near a walk area. Follow pet etiquette at
all times to ensure pets continue to be welcomed guests:
• Keep your pet quiet (barking dogs are unpopular);
• Notify management immediately if something is damaged;
• Clean up after your pet inside and out and check with management regarding how to dispose of waste;
• Keep pets off the furniture (or bring blankets to ANIMALS’ VOICE 31
cover furniture);
• Try not to leave your pet alone, if you must, crate him; and
• Keep your pet away from off-limits places such as the pool area, patio, restaurant or lobby.
Enjoy your travels!
Helpful pet travel information
Westmont Hospitality Group, Maija Holla
1-866-285-7936
www.petfriendly.ca
www.dogfriendly.com
www.petswelcome.com
Traveling With Your Pet: the AAA Pet Book
(available at book stores and through CAA)
Travel contact information
Air Canada
1-888-247-2262 – www.aircanada.com
West Jet
1-800-538-5696 – www.westjet.com
VIA Rail Canada
1-888-842-7245 – www.viarail.ca
ANIMALS’ VOICE 32
Loss prevention tips
Make sure your pet wears a sturdy collar with
current ID and rabies tags firmly attached, and
consider microchipping as an extra precaution.
The ID tag should include the phone number
of an emergency contact. Also, keep a recent
picture of your pet with you in case you need to
search for your pet. If travelling by plane secure
a recent photograph of your pet to the travel
carrier and affix your name, pet’s name, temporary travel and permanent addresses, and the
flight number.
Items to pack for your pet
When travelling be sure to pack all necessary
items for your pet, which may include: food,
water, leash, medications, toys, blankets, first
aid kit, any required documents (e.g. proof of
vaccinations), litter supply, carpet deodorizer,
chew toys, grooming supplies, generous supply of food and a can opener and spoon for
canned food.
Friends for Life!
Find yours at the Ontario SPCA
Friends for Life! is generously supported by:
For more information contact:
www.ospca.on.ca
1-888 ONT-SPCA (668-7722)