V O LU M E 1 / I S S U E 0 7 • FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Highlighting what your generosity means to our animal friends
From the Streets to Safety! You won’t believe what this sweet girl survived!
IN THIS ISSUE Page 2 Join the iAdopt Pet Adoption Drive in Canada Page 3 From the Streets to Safety: Your Gifts Gave Maddison a Second Chance Page 4 Partnering to Stop Animal Cruelty Page 5 Paws & Give™ for an Animal in Need this Holiday Season Page 6 Happy Tails (and Whiskers Too)
See How Your Support Saved Maddison’s Life
Maddison and her mom Christina
ontariospca.ca
Community Outreach
Join the iAdopt Pet Adoption Drive in Canada
T
he Ontario SPCA invites you to drop in to any shelter to take part in our cross-Canada pet adoption drive, “iAdopt For the Holidays.”
iAdopt For the Holidays will run from November 1st to December 31st at Ontario SPCA Shelters across the province with a goal of getting as many animals as possible placed into loving forever homes during the holiday season.
Winner of last year’s iAdopt contest, Finn and his parents
Potential adopters are encouraged to take the Meet Your Match™ adopter survey before coming into the shelter. The survey will give you a colour based on your preferences and lifestyle. On your visit to the Ontario SPCA, you’re given a purple, orange or green guest pass to match the pets who might suit you best. You don’t always have to go with your own colour, but at least you’ll know who you’re mixing with!
“With people having time off from work and being home together as a family, the holidays are a great time to welcome a new furry companion into your home,” says Tanya Firmage, Director of Animal Welfare & Operations. To take the adopter survey and learn more about Meet Your Match™, visit www.meetyourmatch.ontariospca.ca. To take part in iAdopt For the Holidays, visit www.iadopt.ca.
Woof! Meow! Neigh! Thank you! For participating in the Friends for Life! Walk™
Community Outreach
On September 20 & 21, thousands of supporters came out to walk for the animals. The Ontario SPCA Friends for Life! Walk™ raises funds and awareness for the protection and care of all animals in Ontario. In 18 different communities across the province, participants enjoyed a stroll with their families and canine companions around a local park.
PAGE 2
ontariospca.ca
Rescue & Relief ™
From the Streets to Safety: Your Gifts Gave Maddison a Second Chance When Maddison arrived at the Ontario SPCA she was wounded and extremely thin. The sweet yellow lab had been living in an abandoned barn, struggling to feed herself and her seven puppies with field corn and whatever else she could find. Possibly mistaken for a wild animal scavenging on local farms, Maddison had been shot several times and pellets were lodged in her cheek, shoulder and hip. She also tested positive for heartworm, a potentially fatal disease if left untreated. Your gifts helped Maddison receive the medical care and attention she and her puppies desperately needed. Staff and volunteers worked patiently to gain Maddison’s trust and make her more comfortable. Their hard work paid off and soon Maddison found her forever home with Christina Clark and family. “When I read Maddison’s story I knew I had to have her,” recalls Christina. “I just wanted to bring her home with me where she would be safe.”
“The two of them would lie together and Maddison would kiss Choco’s face,” recalls Christina. “She’s so motherly…she really took to him.” When Choco passed away recently, it hit Maddison especially hard. “She didn’t eat for a week,” says Christina. “She was grieving so much.” Today, Maddison still bears the scars of her life on the streets but is enjoying the comforts of her new home. “She’s still a bit of a nervous Nelly, but she’s starting to come out of her shell,” says Christina. “Her personality is so forgiving. It’s like she knows she’s been saved.”
> THANK YOU! Your gifts helped turn Maddison’s life around.
Rescue & Relief ™
Christina remembers the moment she met Maddison: “She was at least 25 pounds lighter than she is now. Her nose was so dried and cracked and her face had lots of scars.” Two weeks after her last treatment for heartworm, Maddison was cleared to go home with Christina
and meet the family. Christina’s husband and two young sons were thrilled with the new addition. Their aging chocolate lab, Choco, also enjoyed his new canine companion.
PAGE 3
ontariospca.ca
Humane Education/Community Engagement
Partnering to Stop Animal Cruelty A new partnership between the Ontario SPCA and Crime Stoppers is making a difference to animals at risk across Ontario. Now, anyone who suspects an animal is suffering cruelty, neglect or abuse can call Crime Stoppers and register their concern anonymously, 24 hours a day,
“Crime Stoppers receives many anonymous tips each year for cruelty or illegal activity involving animals,” says David J. Forster, President of the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers. “Our partnership with the Ontario SPCA will allow their investigators to work closely with local Crime Stoppers programs and the Police Services to investigate these occurrences when anonymous information is received.”
“This new system will allow investigating officers to get the necessary information right away.” – Agent Brad Dewar, Ontario SPCA Investigations Communication Officer
7 days a week.
T
he partnership will make investigating reports of animal cruelty more efficient and is of vital importance when lives are in immediate danger.
Humane Education/Community Engagement
“Our partnership with Crime Stoppers will allow investigating officers to get the necessary information as quickly as possible,” says Agent Brad Dewar, Investigations Communication Officer with the Ontario SPCA. “In emergency situations, like an animal trapped in a hot car, or a case of potential abuse, we can respond much faster.”
Q +A
with Call Centre/Animal Control Supervisor Maureen Barclay
Q: What type of calls do 310-SPCA dispatchers typically receive? We receive calls about farm animals, companion animals that are not being properly looked after, zoo animals, wildlife in danger…you name it, we get it.
Q: How does the new 310-SPCA centralized dispatch system help animals? There are so many benefits to the new system. For example, we recently had a call from a young woman who believed she witnessed a man physically abusing his dog. It was late on a Friday. With 310-SPCA, we were able to ensure someone could set eyes on the dog that same evening to make sure he was okay.
Q: How many dispatchers work on the line? During normal business hours, when we receive our highest volume of calls, we have four people per shift answering calls. The line is staffed overnight. There is always someone here to deal with concerns of animal cruelty and neglect.
Q: How do you feel about your role? I feel incredibly lucky to be in my current role. I do something that I care deeply about and know I’m making a difference. PAGE 4
ontariospca.ca
Holiday Gift Ideas
Paws & Give™ for an Animal in Need this Holiday Season
L
ooking for that perfect holiday gift for the pet lover in your life? Consider shopping with Paws & Give™, our online symbolic gift catalogue with all proceeds benefiting animals at the Ontario SPCA. Choosing the perfect gift is easy with a wide variety of giving options. $25 provides care for a cat and $30 provides care for a dog. $60 provides essential Rescue & Relief equipment. Simply choose your gift and we’ll do the rest. We even have adorable plush toys which make great gifts!
Your loved one will receive an ecard, printable card or mailed card letting them know a gift has been made in their honour and you will receive a charitable tax receipt for the full amount of your donation. Best of all, you’ll love knowing that you’ve given a gift with a difference – one that will help animals in need.
PAWS & GIVE™ ONLINE GIFT CATALOGUE Makes holiday shopping easy and enjoyable. Visit www.pawsandgive.ca to give a gift they will remember.
Care for a Dog $30
Care for a Cat $25
Rescue & Relief equipment $60
Add a plush toy to your purchase for $20
Holiday Gift Ideas
4 Tips to Keep Your Furry Friends Safe This Holiday Season 1
Secure your tree. Curious paws can quickly cause Christmas trees to tumble. Anchor your tree to avoid injuries.
2
Say no to Mistletoe. Holiday foliage like mistletoe and holly can cause gastrointestinal upsets or even cardiovascular problems in animals. Choose artificial decorations instead.
3
Watch the candles. Avoid the potential for burns and fires – never leave an animal unattended around a lighted candle.
4
Create a stress-free zone. The hustle and bustle of the holidays can be stressful for animals too. Make sure to designate a quiet space for your furry friends to escape the commotion.
To check out more of the Ontario SPCA’s easy to find fact sheets go to www.ontariospca.on.ca/factsheets
PAGE 5
ontariospca.ca
Happy Tails (and Whiskers Too) Your support helped these animals find their forever homes! We’re glad to be able to share these special stories with you. ■ Chad, an eight-year-old collie mix, was surrendered to the Ontario SPCA a few weeks before
Christmas two years ago. Chad’s elderly owners had recently passed away. Ann found herself stopping to visit Chad daily, and taking him for walks whenever she could. Her husband had asked what she wanted for Christmas, and Ann had an answer for him! A few days before Christmas, Chad found his forever home. Now Chad shares couch space with Spot, his Dachshund friend, and Talia, his three-year-old human buddy. Ann and Chad even joined the St. John’s Ambulance therapy dog program where Chad enjoys sharing his newfound happiness with others.
CHAD
■ When Alexandra Riopelle went to her local Ontario SPCA to sign up to volunteer, she
ROY
was greeted by a cute black and tan dachshund. The dog had been found on the side of a highway dehydrated and underweight. “We couldn’t believe that anyone could give up such a wonderful little bundle of joy,” says Alexandra. “Adopting Roy has brought so much joy to my life. The whole family agrees...except maybe the cat.”
■ Alex was found in a leg-hold trap illegally set within Cornwall city limits. Some kind soul
rescued him and brought him to the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Ontario SPCA shelter. His left hind leg was already infested with maggots and beyond repair, so an amputation was performed. Once recovered and put up for adoption, Alex had been at the shelter for weeks. Natalie and her husband Gordon adopted Alex the very same day they came into the shelter. Alex has been with his new family for six years now and he is very popular with the three lady-cats they have adopted since!
ALEX
Have your own Happy Tail? We’d love to hear it! To share your own Happy Tail story please visit www.iAdopt.ca.
How Your Gifts Help Animals The Ontario SPCA is a non-profit organization that is primarily operated by donations. Compassionate and generous supporters like you are the reason we are still able to keep our investigators on the streets and our shelters open to abused, abandoned and neglected animals. PHOTO CREDITS: Photographs provided by Ontario SPCA volunteers and
FOLLOW US:
www.adoptercommunity.ontariospca.ca YOUR PRIVACY MATTERS: The Ontario SPCA is committed to protecting your privacy, and recognizes the significance of maintaining confidentiality, accuracy and security of personal information. We are happy to provide a copy of our complete privacy policy upon request. Unless otherwise noted, all the animals featured in this newsletter were cared for and/or adopted through one of the Ontario SPCA shelters across Ontario.
PAGE 6
GTA & SOUTH WEST ONTARIO REGION
•
Fall/Winter 2014
OUR ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT TO FRIENDS OF THE ONTARIO SPCA
visit us at ontariospca.ca
n Ontario SPCA
n Ontario SPCA Kent County Branch
Provincial Education and Animal Centre
Thompson struts his stuff at Sidewalk Sale Days
Expanding Outdoor Dog Runs
The Ontario SPCA Kent Branch took part in Sidewalk Sale Days in Downtown Chatham Saturday, July 4th and Sunday, July 5th. The weather couldn’t have been better to showcase some of our dogs up for adoption. Staff and volunteers chatted with visitors about the shelter, the upcoming Friends for Life! Walk™ , and the adoption process. One of the dogs joining us for the event was Thompson’s new dad. Thompson, a snuggly Springer Spaniel. He took part in a human-doggy fashion show, strutting his stuff down the King Street catwalk, and mingled with visitors to the Kent Branch booth. Mid-afternoon Saturday Thompson caught the eye of a wonderful family, and after a brief discussion, they drove to the shelter to complete the adoption process and took Thompson home. All in all, a very successful weekend!
Outdoor runs are essential to the dogs in our care, allowing them to get fresh air, exercise time and receive vital enrichment opportunities while relieving their stress. Unfortunately, last year’s harsh winter caused substantial damage to our dog runs, shifting the concrete and breaking the fence. As a result, staff were forced to keep the dogs inside for safety. Fortunately, donor support has made vital renovations possible to the dog runs at the Provincial Education & Animal Centre. Your kind gifts have not only fixed the winter damage, but also allowed us to expand our runs. It is now possible for up to 12 dogs to go outside at one time. This outdoor time is so important to the animals in our care. Many of the dogs we shelter have faced a lifetime of abuse or neglect. Outdoor dog runs help dogs relieve their anxieties and begin their rehabilitation. For more information visit us at www.peac.ontariospca.ca
Thompson struts his stuff at Sidewalk Sale Days.
For more information visit us at www.kent.ontariospca.ca
n Ontario SPCA Huron County
Leo to the Rescue!
Updated dog runs.
When Allan Day began volunteering for Ontario SPCA in Goderich in October 2013, he had one cardinal rule: No bringing animals home! After all, Allan already had a cat named Milo at home. But that rule went out the window when Leo, a beautiful cat with tiger markings, arrived at the shelter. “I wanted him from the start,” recalls Allan. (Continued on back)
GTA & SOUTH WEST ONTARIO REGION
PAGE 1
n Ontario SPCA
Orangeville & District Branch Global Pet Foods Show Their Heart Thank you to Global Pet Foods and the Global Pet Foods store in Orangeville from all of us at the Ontario SPCA Orangeville & District Branch! As a result of the Global Pet Foods Show Us Your Heart™ fundraising campaign, on April 22, 2014 the Global Pet Foods store in Orangeville was able to present us with a cheque for $3,552.21 to help the animals in our care. It was clear to us just how hard the store employees and management worked to promote the fundraiser campaign and to encourage their customers to donate money. The owners of the Global Pet Foods store in Orangeville, Brant and Willa Coleman, were enthusiastically behind the campaign all the way and we were thrilled to receive this generous donation.
Leo was in quarantine for three weeks before he could be adopted out. In that time, Allan’s precious Milo passed away. When the Vet recommended Leo go home with someone to avoid contact with cats at the shelter, Allan was quick to volunteer. “You sure are buying a lot of toys for a cat that is going back at the end of the week,” observed Allan’s wife Judy. Of course, Leo had already charmed his way into his new family.
Allan and Leo.
“Leo is a very smart cat,” says Allan. “He loves attention and is so friendly and playful.” What’s more, Leo helped the family cope with their loss. “Leo helped us get through losing our Milo,” explains Allan. “Not only did the Ontario SPCA give us a truly amazing healthy cat that matched our home, they helped us through our grieving with their long time experience of cat knowledge. We are so thankful.” For more information visit us at www.huron.ontariospca.ca
How to Enrich Your Pet’s Life Studies show that animals with access to enrichment toys and activities are friendlier, eat less, are mentally well adjusted and live longer. They also show improved learning capabilities and problem solving skills. Here are some easy pet enrichment tips:
FOR DOGS: • Give your dog tasks to think through like food dispensing toys or puzzles. • Let them play with other friendly canine buddies or use positive reinforcement training.
This is the eighth year that • Toys that are textured like rope toys or rubber or nylon bones are perfect for Global Pet Foods, 47 Broadway, play time. Orangeville, has supported the • Allowing your dog access to windows or nature programming on TV gives Ontario SPCA Orangeville & them visual stimulation. District Branch through the annual Show Us Your Heart™ • Lots of brushing and petting is relaxing and enjoyable for your pet. Campaign, which ran from FOR CATS: February 1st -15th this year. Global Pet Foods and Hill’s • • A scratching post is a great way for cats to engage in a Science Diet teamed up natural behaviour they crave. once again for Show Us • • Give your cat a safe space they can quietly survey their Your Heart™ to help many surroundings from up high. homeless animals that • • Food dispensing puzzles are a great way to stimulate deserve loving care. Global their minds. Pet Foods and Hill’s Science Diet matched every donation After the Show Us Your Heart fundraising • To help your cat feel secure, give them a soft and campaign. made! Thank you to Global warm area to sleep. Pet Foods and your customers. • Toys that bounce and squeak will help satisfy their need to hunt. For more information visit us at www.orangeville. ontariospca.ca GTA & SOUTH WEST ONTARIO REGION
PAGE 2
EASTERN ONTARIO REGION
•
Fall/Winter 2014
OUR ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT TO FRIENDS OF THE ONTARIO SPCA
visit us at ontariospca.ca
n Ontario SPCA
n Ontario SPCA Renfrew County Branch
Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Branch
Animal Enrichment has Positive Effect
Doctor in the House Students at the Iona Academy raised $350 for the Ontario SPCA at the 5th Annual Teddy Bear Clinic. The event features younger students bringing in their stuffed animals for a medical examination by a Grade 8 doctor. For more information visit us at www.sdg.ontariospca.ca
A new focus on animal enrichment is helping the Renfrew County Branch improve the day-to-day lives of its animals and allow for a smoother transition into their forever homes. Eight volunteers provide cats and small animals daily enrichment and upwards of 20 scheduled dog walkers & enrichment volunteers spend time with our canines each week. Examples of our new enrichment schedule include treat balls for cats to practice hunting techniques and bubble machines, TV and glowing light orbs to give cats visual stimulation. Dogs are enjoying stuffed Kong’s, hanging ice treats, treat balls and scent detection while rabbits are practicing intelligence ‘treat and learn’ puzzles. The positive effects of our enrichment program include happier animals and animals that have a more restful day with a variety of things to keep them busy at different times. Visitors and volunteers enjoy reading our weekly post-up of enrichment activities and seeing how enrichment can positively affect different areas of the animal’s well-being.
Animals enjoying their enrichment toys.
For more information visit us at renfrewcounty.ontariospca.ca
Students at the 5th Annual Teddy Bear Clinic.
To join our online community and receive more information about our programs, please visit
ontariospca.ca
How to Enrich Your Pet’s Life Studies show that animals with access to enrichment toys and activities are friendlier, eat less, are mentally well adjusted and live longer. They also show improved learning capabilities and problem solving skills. Here are some easy pet enrichment tips:
FOR DOGS: • Give your dog tasks to think through like food dispensing toys or puzzles. (Continued on back) EASTERN ONTARIO REGION
PAGE 1
(Continued from page 1) How to Enrich Your Pet’s Life
Renovations at the Ontario SPCA
• Let them play with other friendly canine buddies or use positive reinforcement training.
n Ontario SPCA Leeds &
• Toys that are textured like rope toys or rubber or nylon bones are perfect for play time. • Allowing your dog access to windows or nature programming on TV gives them visual stimulation. • Lots of brushing and petting is relaxing and enjoyable for your pet.
FOR CATS: • A scratching post is a great way for cats to engage in a natural behaviour they crave. • Give your cat a safe space they can quietly survey their surroundings from up high. • Food dispensing puzzles are a great way to stimulate their minds.
Grenville Branch Legacy Gift Funds Vital Branch Renovations A generous bequest gift is making vital branch renovations possible. The planned gift, which Updated dog runs. was designated for animal enrichment, will provide years of satisfaction to animals in need. Cats are now enjoying new cat suites that allow them to move around as they please. Dogs too are benefiting from direct access to the outdoors, allowing them the freedom to work off any stress and anxiety they may be facing at their own pace and time. These improvements, and other animal enrichment work, help dogs and cats alike appear more like their true selves when potential adopters come to meet them. When you leave a Planned Gift – also called a Legacy Gift – to the Ontario SPCA, you help ensure that we can keep doing our vital work for the animals in your community and across the province. At the same time, you could significantly reduce your taxes, both now and on your estate when it is time to settle. There are many different legacy gift options available to you that can provide benefits for your family and the animals you love, today and tomorrow. To request your own Legacy Giving Guide or to discuss how you can benefit from making a planned gift, please contact Colleen Bradley at 1-888-668-7722 ext. 324 or cbradley@ospca.on.ca. For more information visit us at www.leedsgrenville.ontariospca.ca
• To help your cat feel secure, give them a soft and warm area to sleep. • Toys that bounce and squeak will help satisfy their need to hunt.
DON’T FORGET You’re welcome to stop into one of our many Animal Centre locations seven days a week, to see our many animals available for adoption.
n Ontario SPCA Lennox &
Addington Branch
Guardian Angels Fund Cat Enclosure
Drawing of our new outdoor cat enclosure.
Our cats now have their very own outdoor cat enclosure thanks to funds generously donated by Freida Youell and her sister Doris DeCorte. Freida and Doris, you truly are our guardian angels.
Annual Bottle Drive a Success The branch’s Annual Bottle Drive raised $2,200! Special thanks to Shona Turiff for all her hard work on this event. Shona has been an exceptional volunteer at the Branch for over 12 years. For more information visit us at www.lennoxaddington.ontariospca.ca
EASTERN ONTARIO REGION
Freida holding a special friend.
PAGE 2
Central and Northern Ontario
•
Fall/Winter 2014
Our accountability report to friends of the Ontario SPCA
visit us at ontariospca.ca
n Ontario SPCA
n Ontario SPCA Muskoka Animal Centre
Midland & District Branch
Homes for Horses
Improving Our Dog Park, Thanks to You Every day shelter dogs burn off excess energy at the Midland and District Branch Dog Park, enjoying the attention of dedicated volunteers. Located on shelter property, the Dog Park has seen many recent improvements. We would like to thank donors Ron Chalmers and Gord Fraser who provided the park Improved dog park, thanks fencing and our to dedicated volunteers who volunteers. built a deck over the wet entrance area. Wood chips have been laid down to help control mud. We have many dedicated volunteers who work hard to keep the park clean. You and your canine companions are invited to enjoy the Dog Park. We are open to the public all hours of the day with the exception of 9am-10am when shelter dogs receive exclusive run of the park. For more information visit us at www.midland.ontariospca.ca
The Ontario SPCA Muskoka Animal Centre has been flooded with equines in need since November of 2013. So far, we have cared for and rehabilitated 12 horses and one donkey. We have been blessed with many wonderful adoptions and are thrilled to see our shelter horses finding new homes and in some cases new careers! Nylea and Sasha are now teaching children all about horses and riding at a local stable where they very quickly became barn favorites. Velvet had her foal, a beautiful black filly named Chantilly Lace (Tilly), and they have both been adopted by a local Equine Assisted Therapy Centre. Once Velvet’s foal is weaned she will be going back to school to learn the ins and outs of her new role as a therapy horse. Tango was adopted by his new mom, Krys, and recently joined her at his new home where they are learning Natural Horsemanship. Jenga has been adopted by a wonderful family and is keeping everyone busy with grooming and riding. Charlotte has joined a local riding center and will be learning the art of working with and teaching our young equine enthusiasts how to ride and care for horses. We still have several wonderful horses in need of a good home. To find out more, please call or visit the Muskoka Animal Centre. For more information visit us at www.muskoka.ontariospca.ca
n Ontario SPCA Sudbury & District
Branch
New Shelter a Successful Collaboration with Collège Boréal Our new shelter & educational centre
Staff and animals alike are excited to be moving to the new Animal Centre opening later this fall. Designed by Peter Archer and Associates out of Barrie, with engineering by Jerry Nichols of Sudbury and construction by Build North from Sudbury, the new structure is light and airy and features large expanses of glass. Best of all, the
Central and Northern Ontario
(Continued on back) PAGE 1
(Continued from page 1)
shelter can accommodate 50% more dogs than before. The new shelter comes only two years after the Ontario SPCA and Collège Boréal began discussing ideas for collaboration to involve Boréal’s Veterinarian Technician Course. The innovative partnership facilitates the sharing of resources and knowledge between the two institutions and will allow shelter animals to be spayed and neutered and receive medical treatment at Collège Boréal’s new veterinary wing. Collège Boréal is the first Canadian college to teach shelter medicine, and the Ontario SPCA is proud to offer a $1,000 bursary for a deserving Veterinary Technician student. For more information visit us at www.sudbury.ontariospca.ca
n Ontario SPCA Barrie
Branch We Want Your Bottles! Planning a celebration? Donate your empties to the Barrie branch of the Ontario SPCA. When you donate your empty bottles to us rather than returning them to the Beer Store, you help animals in need. Revenue from our bottle drive helps pay for animal care, food and other vital supplies. Our bottle drive is an ongoing initiative and we are here to take your empties year-round. We have a 24-hour donation bin and we can even schedule a pick up for large loads. For more information or to schedule a large quantity pick up of your empty bottles, please call (705) 728-7311. For more information visit us at www.barrie.ontariospca.ca
n Ontario SPCA Orillia Branch
All ‘Fore’ the Animals The Orillia Branch of the Ontario SPCA held their annual All ‘fore’ the Animals Golf Tournament on Friday June 27th, 2014. The beautiful Hawk Ridge Golf & Country Club hosted the event which included 18 holes of golf and a delicious dinner. Thanks go out to all the sponsors, donors, golfers and businesses who helped make the day very successful. This year 79 golfers raised approximately $11,000 for the animals! For more information visit us at www.orillia.ontariospca.ca
A participant during the All “fore” the Animals Golf Tournament
Thanks to all our the sponsors, donors, golfers and businesses who helped make the day very successful.
How to Enrich Your Pet’s Life Studies show that animals with access to enrichment toys and activities are friendlier, eat less, are mentally well adjusted and live longer. They also show improved learning capabilities and problem solving skills. Here are some easy pet enrichment tips:
For Dogs: • Give your dog tasks to think through like food dispensing toys or puzzles. • Let them play with other friendly canine buddies or use positive reinforcement training. • Toys that are textured like rope toys or rubber or nylon bones are perfect for play time. • Allowing your dog access to windows or nature programming on TV gives them visual stimulation. • Lots of brushing and petting is relaxing and enjoyable for your pet.
For Cats: • A scratching post is a great way for cats to engage in a natural behaviour they crave. • Give your cat a safe space they can quietly survey their surroundings from up high. • Food dispensing puzzles are a great way to stimulate their minds. • To help your cat feel secure, give them a soft and warm area to sleep. • Toys that bounce and squeak will help satisfy their need to hunt.
Central and Northern Ontario
PAGE 2