CEO Amelia Canto says the organization handles a wide range of animal welfare services across eight municipalities in Niagara, from enforcing bylaws and picking up stray animals to running adoption programs, wellness clinics and low-cost spay and neuter services. She says staff assess every animal brought into the shelter to ensure they are healthy, treated for parasites and prepared for adoption if owners are not located within the holding period.
The organization recently expanded its services with a fully operational wellness clinic that offers treatments for ear, eye and skin conditions, along with vaccinations, microchips and dental procedures. Canto says affordability remains a major reason people turn to the SPCA, with some pet owners travelling several hours to Niagara to access lower-cost care for their animals.
Adoption also remains a major focus for the organization, particularly through the popular cat adoption centre inside Seaway Mall. Canto says nearly 10,000 cats have been adopted through the volunteer-run program since 2012, with some animals finding homes so quickly that cages occasionally sit empty.
Volunteer support continues to be a major part of the Niagara SPCA’s success. Opportunities range from dog walking and cat cuddling to helping animals recover after surgery or assisting at fundraising events throughout the summer. The organization has also launched a new “Paws on the Town” initiative, allowing volunteers to take dogs into the community to increase their chances of adoption.
(Written by: Matt Latour)