The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society has launched an urgent animal care fund to help animal organizations in Ontario continue to care for animals and support pet owners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SPCAs and human societies across the province have closed their buildings to the public to help slow and stop the spread of COVID-19, and have cancelled fundraising events.
With adoptions put on hold, many SPCAs and humane societies — including the Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) — are facing growing costs as they continue to care for the animals who will now have to wait longer to be adopted.
While adoptions are on pause, animals in shelters still need to be fed and receive veterinary care and daily attention to keep them healthy and happy.
“As Peterborough and the Kawarthas only open-admission shelter, the team at PHS continues to take in and provide care for stray, abandoned and emergency care animals,” says PHS executive director Shawn Morey.
In addition to closing its adoption centre, the PHS also suspended its volunteer programs and reduced the number of staff on site.
“We have a small animal care team on site daily to provide our animals with the love and enrichment they need and have amplified our enrichment programs to ensure that our animals remain healthy and happy during their extended stay with us,” Morey adds.
“With so many owned pets entering the shelter on a day-to-day basis, it is not feasible to place all animals into temporary foster homes.”
The urgent animal care fund will help SPCAs and humane societies across the province cover the costs of caring for animals in shelters. To donate, visit urgentanimalcarefund.ca.
