Summer 2004 - Ontario SPCA

Spring/Summer 2004
Animals’ Voice 1
News Special
Federal cruelty bill dies again!
The Senate has become the graveyard of animal cruelty legislation. Bill C-22, the latest reincarnation of the
proposed amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada, died in the same place C-10B met its fatal end last
November – the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs – when the federal parliament
adjourned for the election. That makes four times in as many years that the bill has been lost.
Photograph above: Susan Tod
The bill has the overwhelming support of the vast majority of Canadians, the support of animal use industries, animal welfare groups, veterinarians, police associations and all parties in the House of Commons.
Currently the maximum sentence under the Criminal Code of Canada for crimes against animals, such as
wilful neglect and causing unnecessary pain and suffering, is a $2,000 fine, six months jail and two years
prohibition from owning an animal.
The proposed amendments would make such crime a more serious offence, with unlimited fine, five years
jail and lifetime prohibition.
You can help!
Visit www.ospca.on.ca, www.cfhs.ca (Canadian Federation of Humane Societies),
email [email protected] or call 1-888-ONT-SPCA (668-7722).
T
Provincial ‘puppy mill’ law
brings largest ever fine
he largest fine
ever for an
animal cruelty offence
in Ontario, probably in
Canada, was imposed in March when
Sandra Quinn, now of Burlington,
Ontario received a fine of $12,000 after
pleading guilty in the Ontario Court of
Justice, Norfolk County, to a charge
brought under the Ontario SPCA Act as
it relates to breeders of dogs and cats
for sale.
Quinn was charged in February
last year by the Ontario SPCA following
the removal of 125 dogs from Cherry
Valley Kennels near Waterford, Ontario
– the ‘Valentine’s Day Rescue’. She was
the first person to be charged under the
Ontario SPCA Act as amended in
December 2002. The amendments set
out standards of care that breeders of
dogs and cats for sale must adhere to,
and enable much stiffer penalties than
in the past. In addition to the fine,
Quinn also received a ten-year prohibition from breeding and selling dogs
and cats.
When the dogs were removed on
Valentine’s Day last year they were in
appalling condition - emaciated, dehy-
Animals’ Voice 2
Spring/Summer 2004
Spring/Summer 2004
drated, severely matted and encrusted
with feces, and had numerous medical
problems. Two of the dogs were in
such bad condition they had to be
euthanized. One dog was found frozen
to death and two half-burned carcasses
were found in a fire pit.
One of the Chows that was saved from
the puppy mill.
Care was provided to the dogs –
Chows, American Eskimos, Pomeranians,
Keeshonds and other small breeds, at
several Ontario SPCA Branches and affiliated humane societies, and all except
the two that had to be euthanized were
adopted into loving new
homes.
This is the first case
brought
under
the
amended Ontario SPCA Act to reach a
sentence. The sentence marks a significant shift in the seriousness with
which crimes against animals are
viewed in the province, although it is
well short of what is allowed in the Act.
The Ontario SPCA would particularly like to have seen the sentence
include a period of probation which
would have prohibited owning of
pets in addition to breeding and selling, and also given the Society
inspection rights to monitor compliance with the ban. It is certainly a
welcome move in the right direction,
however, and the Ontario SPCA congratulates everyone who supported
our campaign to secure amendments
to the Act which better enable us to
stamp out puppy mills.
The Society does not receive any
part of the $12,000 fine. The cost to
the Society of the investigation and
the removal, treatment, care and
rehabilitation of the dogs was in
excess of $100,000.
Animals’ Voice 3
Over 100 charges
brought under amended
Ontario SPCA Act
T
he ‘Honey Needs You’ campaign petition was
signed by nearly a quarter of a million people
in Ontario in 2002. Honey was one of the 231 dogs
rescued from Rose and Ralph Misener. She had an
infected eye removed, and it was her plight, along
with all the others in puppy mills, that spurred the
petition and the amendment of the Ontario SPCA
Act which it helped bring about in December 2002.
The Ontario SPCA Act now includes standards
of care that breeders of dogs and cats for sale must
adhere to – covering, for example, food, water, shelter, sanitation, and medical care. Failure to adhere to
the standards constitutes an offence, and conviction
carries much stiffer penalties than have been available for cruelty offences by such people previously
– up to $60,000 fine for each standard of care that is
violated, up to two years in jail and a lifetime ban
from breeding dogs and cats for sale.
To date 15 cases have included prosecution
with this part of the Ontario SPCA Act, an average of
over one a month since the Act was amended. Over
a hundred separate charges have been laid, including 40 against Rose and Ralph Misener following rescue of another 42 dogs from them in April, 2003.
Due to the length of time it takes to progress
cases through the courts, only one of the 15 cases
has been concluded.
In the last six months alone hundreds of dogs
have been rescued from puppy mills. With your
help, the campaign to shut them down continues!
Serious animal welfare
concerns expressed to
Meat Inspection Review
A
portation operations.
It is estimated that
there are hundreds of illegal
slaughter operations in
Ontario, with a significant
number in the Greater
Toronto Area, presenting an
extremely serious animal
welfare issue. “There is no
regard for animal welfare in
these operations,” said
Draper, “with dull knives,
axes and even screwdrivers
being used to kill animals in
very unsanitary conditions.
It’s an organized commercial
crime meeting a demand for
cheap meat.”
The Ontario SPCA is
recommending a ‘joint task
force’ to include the Society,
OMAF, MNR, OPP and
health units together with
substantially increased numbers of OMAF compliance
officers to combat this serious cruelty and health problem. We would also like to
see more funding, and training of local health units for
increased monitoring of food premises
CTV’s W-FIVE highlights illegal slaughter in Ontario for
uninspected
On April 17th, W-FIVE broadcast a feature on illegal slaughter
meat.
titled ‘Failing Grade’. Go to www.ospca.on.ca and follow the
Not all licensed
illegal slaughter link in the NEWS section, or visit www.ctv.ca
abattoirs slaughter
animals humanely.
Farm animals in the news
Last year, for examOntario SPCA media releases issued so far this year include:
ple, the Society
j“Starving animals rescued from farm…” January
obtained a convicj“Lorretto couple charged following discovery of starving
tion of a licensed
cattle” March
abattoir in Oxford
j“Dead and starving cattle discovered in Mildmay area barn”
County when Den
March
Dekker Meats pled
j“…man pleads guilty to illegal slaughter” March
Read them at www.ospca.on.ca
Animals’ Voice 4
midst widespread public concerns following
allegations last year that
dead animals had been
processed into the food
chain at Aylmer Meat
Packers, the Ontario government appointed Justice
Roland J. Haines in January
to review the meat regulatory and inspection regimes at
meat processors and slaughterhouses in Ontario.
With food safety and
animal welfare issues going
hand in hand, the Ontario
SPCA welcomed the opportunity to express its concerns and recommendations
at a private meeting, and at
a public hearing in London,
Ontario on March 31.
In his presentation,
Chief Inspector Michael
Draper highlighted the
Society’s great concern
about animal welfare in illegal slaughterhouse operations, provincially licensed
abattoirs and animal trans-
Spring/Summer 2004
petence, more training be
provided to meat inspectors
and that ‘blunt trauma’ be
prohibited as a method of
slaughter.
The Ontario SPCA has
been active in the province’s
Humane
Transportation
Working Group, along with
OMAF, the Ontario
Farm Animal Council
(OFAC), the Canadian
Food
Inspection
Agency (CFIA) and
representatives of the
transport and slaughter
sectors for four years.
Among problem areas
in the transportation of
animals, are the transport of ‘compromised’
“There is no regard for animal welfare in
these operations . . . with dull knives, axes animals (sick or injured aniand even screwdrivers being used to kill
mals),
and regulations
animals in very unsanitary conditions. It’s an
organized commercial crime, meeting a
being poorly enforced by
demand for cheap meat.”
the CFIA.
“Fifty serious contraan electrical prod on the
facial and anal areas of live ventions of the federal
animals, improper electrical Health of Animals Act regustunning and not having a lations pertaining to the
government
inspector transportation of animals
inspect a non-ambulatory took place between January
pig that was found on a 2000 and July 2003, with no
truck arriving at the abattoir. enforcement action other
The company was fined than ineffectual warning letters,” said Draper. “The
$3,250.00.
“Problems are made Province needs to step in
worse by lack of training for and develop comprehensive
plant staff and poor posi- provincial animal transport
tioning of inspectors observ- regulations to protect aniing slaughter,” said Draper, mals, and fund the Ontario
“and more enforcement SPCA to enforce them – simaction is necessary when ilar to Alberta where the
welfare violations are found. government has a compreOMAF has recently appoint- hensive transport regulation
ed a Humane Standards and provides an annual
Officer and this should grant to the Alberta SPCA to
enforce it.”
become permanent.”
Justice Haines is to
Other recommendations included that all staff report to the Attorney
slaughtering animals hold a General of Ontario by June
license or certificate of com- 30, 2004.
guilty in the Ontario Court
of Justice to charges under
the Meat Inspection Act
relating to inhumane and
improper handling of pigs.
The
investigation
had
revealed practices such as
placing a metal hook in the
rectum of a live pig, using
Spring/Summer 2004
Animals’ Voice 5
Friends for Life!
Start your search at the adoption centre
by lorraine houston
C
ongratulations! You have reached the decision to
bring a dog into your life and are now in a position to start your search for the canine companion who
will share your heart and home. Where should you
begin your search?
Why not start at an animal adoption centre?
Adoption centres are full of dogs, who through no fault
of their own, are looking for a place to call home.
Some people believe that the dogs are there because
they have health and/or behavioural issues or have
been abused. Sadly, some of the dogs do come from
abusive, neglectful backgrounds. However, the majority of dogs and puppies in adoption centres are typically victims of circumstance and are there as a result of
human ignorance, lifestyle changes, impulse purchases, a lack of commitment and/or training or they have
Animals’ Voice 6
simply become inconvenient. None of these reasons
are the dog’s fault.
The dogs you see come from the same original
sources as other puppies; backyard breeders, ‘accidental’ breeding and pet stores to name just a few. It is not
uncommon to see an influx of six-month old dogs
around Easter as a result of ‘the Christmas puppy’ purchase that just ‘didn’t work out’. It is also not uncommon to see dogs surrendered because people did not
do their homework before acquiring a puppy. If breed
characteristics were properly researched many dogs
who wait for new homes in adoption centres–because
they grew too big, needed too much grooming, are too
energetic or shed too much hair–wouldn’t be there.
An adoption centre can sometimes be extremely
overwhelming and stressful for some dogs, especially
Spring/Summer 2004
those who have only ever experienced a home environment. It is difficult to assess the dogs by appearance
and kennel behaviour alone. ‘Meet and greet’ rooms are
often available to offer you and your family one-on-one
time and interaction opportunities with the dogs.
Although at first they may be distracted and excited,
taking the dog you are interested in adopting for a walk
is also a good opportunity to become more familiar
with him/her. The kennel staff that care for the dogs on
a daily basis are an invaluable resource and know the
dogs well. They will be able to tell you more about the
dog’s personality, habits and training and will also be
able to give guidance regarding the dog you are interested in, the home and lifestyle you are offering and if
the combination would be a good match.
A common question asked about shelter dogs is –
are they healthy? While viruses and bacterial diseases
can circulate through an animal shelter, they can also
circulate through a boarding facility, a breeding kennel
and a pet shop. Vetting, daily disinfecting and isolating
dogs who are symptomatic combined with an enriched
environment (daily walks, social interaction and mental stimulation) greatly reduce the incidence of diseases
in sheltered dogs. Many centres, including Ontario
SPCA branches, have implemented protocols which
address the health and over-all well being of the dogs
residing in their facilities. Dogs who show signs of illness are typically under the eye of the animal care staff
and veterinarians and would not be available for adoption until they were cleared of any health concerns or
issues.
Many people believe that by paying a high price
for a puppy or dog they are buying a guarantee of
quality. The saying ‘you get what you pay for’ does not
always apply and especially when it comes to purchasing a puppy that has come from a puppy mill. People
continue to pay exorbitant prices for pet store puppies
and the only sure guarantee in this situation is that
Spring/Summer 2004
such purchases not only perpetuate the problem but
continue to finance puppy mill operators and brokers!
At the mill, mother dogs are continuously bred to produce ‘inventory’ with no thought whatsoever to genetic defects or disorders, kept in abhorrent conditions,
covered in filth, rarely seeing the light of day – all in
the name of profit!
Adoption centres want good homes for the dogs
in their care and do charge an adoption fee. However,
the fee charged does not begin to cover the operational costs involved with housing, feeding, vetting and
caring for the dogs. Most adoption fees are all inclusive. This means the dog you are adopting has been
spayed or neutered, vaccinated, de-wormed and,
depending on the centre, microchipped, which greatly
reduces the costs the adopting family would incur by
doing each procedure individually.
Hopefully, the information provided has encouraged you to consider adopting a dog. You can see
photographs and read about the dogs in Ontario who
need homes via the internet at www.ospca.on.ca or
www.petfinder.com
jApproximately 25% of all dogs in adoption
centres are purebred. Fund for Animals
jThe majority of dogs in adoption centres
are between the ages of eight months and
two years. Ontario SPCA
jThe public acquires 16% of pets from adoption centres, 47% as strays, friends or ads in
newspapers and 37% from breeders and pet
stores. Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS)
jOn average, out of every three puppies, only
one pup will still be in the original home at
one year of age! American SPCA
Animals’ Voice 7
Great Pets –
Great People!
Wilkie was adopted from the Ontario SPCA
Scarborough/North York Branch.
“When Wilkie came into our lives in March 2000,
we had no idea how much joy she would bring.
We knew we wanted a puppy, but had no particular breed in mind; mostly we wanted a companion for
my husband, who had just retired. He had visions of
long walks & attentive company.
When we met
this tiny, brown
and white Jack
Russell Terrier,
who was about
10 weeks old,
we fell in
love
with
her trusting
nature, soft
coat, and big
brown eyes. She was
a needy little thing, as she’d been
bought by people who worked all day, & left her
alone...can you imagine leaving a 6 to 8 week puppy
alone all day! Anyway, she soon figured out she
wasn’t going to be alone anymore [in fact, we take her
with us most places we go], and wormed her way
under the bedclothes and into our life. She loves the
world, and delights all the little ones she and her ‘dad’
meet when they are out walking;
there is nothing quite as neat as seeing a child’s face light up when they
see her coming toward them...most
people do the same, actually.
Our shelter dog is THE BEST!!
And we are so privileged to be able
to give her the love and security she
needs… I’m a BIG fan of shelters,
and the caring, knowledgeable volunteers without whom they could
not function.
Devon Jones”
Animals’ Voice 8
Big Guy with his new guardian, Jack, saying “thank you” to
Vicky Tyson of the Sudbury Branch.
Fred was adopted from
the Ontario SPCA Provincial Animal Centre.
“We thought you might like to see a few pictures
of “Ernie” (now called Fred) whom we adopted on Feb
6th. He is a terrific cat – even though our other two
cats were pretty suspicious of him at first, he is the
most naturally diplomatic cat I’ve ever known; he did
all the right things, and within a few days was part of
their family.
Fred is a very happy, very bouncy cat and loves to
scoot around on the slippery lino. They all play tag and
wrestle together, and he’s shown them new nooks and
crannies of the house to explore, and they, like us, are
very glad that he’s here.
We thank you very much for taking such good
care of him and for letting us adopt him.
Sincerely, Pat and Tim Pointing”
Richard was rescued by the Ontario SPCA
from an alleged puppy mill in December last
year, and was adopted from the Perth County
Branch.
“Richard is such a great friend and
has made a big difference to my life. I get
out a lot more, walking and meeting
people and he’s a great playmate.
There’s just nothing quite like the
greetings he gives me!
I had been looking for a small
breed dog after doing some
research, and I really think it was
fate that Richard came into my
life. I’m so pleased to have been
able to adopt such a lovely animal while
helping your work to stop puppy mills.
Inga Belge”
Spring/Summer 2004
Increasing Adoptions
at the Sudbury Adoption Centre
The
Ontario
SPCA
Sudbury Branch moved to its
current adoption centre in
October 2000 – a clean, modern facility with a store front
location close to downtown.
With two ‘cat condo’
group housing rooms included in the accommodation for
cats, Plexiglas fronted dog
Boomer with Rayna & friend.
rooms and store area selling
animal related goods and
Ontario SPCA merchandise, the adoption centre has been a success with
visitors and animals alike.
“Adoptions have increased since
moving to the new facility, averaging
around 300 per year. All the animals
come from surrenders by owners or
from Ontario SPCA investigation res- Carl with Lori.
cues and removals,” says Sudbury
Branch Manager, Al Bentley. Facilities also include special care rooms and outdoor dog runs.
“The location is also good for volunteers who are
a key part of the success of the adoption centre.”
The area covered by the Sudbury Branch is huge:
west of the city to Ironbridge, including Manitoulin
Island, east to half way to North Bay, south to the
Spring/Summer 2004
French River and north to Chapleau – over 18,000
square miles. The Society’s Regional Inspector for
North Eastern Ontario is based at the Sudbury adoption centre.
Great Pets – Great People From Sudbury
“…my husband and I adopted a
four year old cat named Samson in June
of 2003. We just wanted to drop you a
line to let you know that Samson is
doing very well and to thank you for
allowing us to take him into our home Samson relaxing
on the couch.
and into our hearts.
For the first couple of weeks Samson was very
timid and shy… With a lot of love and patience however we finally managed to convince him that he was
loved and not going to be abandoned.
He has become almost like a child to us. When
my husband leaves for work at 10:30pm…Samson
never leaves my side. Without him I would truly feel
lonely.
Just wanted to let you guys know how much we
appreciate letting us adopt Samson and letting us take
such a beautiful creature into our home and into our
hearts. He has truly become our best friend. You provide a wonderful service to people looking to adopt
animals. Thank you so much…
Lisa, Jason and Samson”
Animals’ Voice 9
Take Action to End
Cat Overpopulation
by christine arnett,
Ontario SPCA Communications Officer
T
heir tender purrs resonate through millions of
homes, bringing joy, love and companionship to
our lives. Cats are the favoured pets in North America,
outnumbering even “man’s best friend” as animal companions. Sadly, they are also the most numerous animals in shelters throughout the continent.
Each year over 14,000 cats are admitted to Ontario
SPCA branch animal shelters, over one hundred thousand end up in shelters across Canada, and millions
enter shelters in the United States. There is no question
that North Americans love and appreciate cats, given
that millions of us choose to share our lives with these
animal companions. But the sad reality is that there are
more cats than there are available homes for them. A
sadder reality is that the key solutions to cat overpopulation are within our power and ability, but are vastly
underused. Through spay/neuter, cat adoption, and
lost-pet recovery programs, the suffering of millions of
future homeless felines can be prevented.
In only seven years one female cat and her offspring are capable of producing 420,000 cats.
who couldn’t otherwise afford it, to
have their cat spayed/neutered.
“The sterilization of 97 cats through
this program will significantly impact
the cat overpopulation crisis in our
area,” says Mary Sinclair, Manager of
the Barrie and Orillia Branches.
In fact, recognizing the effectiveness of spay/neuter for combating pet overpopulation, a number of
municipalities across Canada and
the United States have passed
mandatory spay/neuter bylaws (cat
breeders can get exemptions). As
well, there has been success in curbing feral cat populations through
trap-sterilize-release programs.
Make Adoption Your First Option
According to the Humane
Society of the United States (HSUS),
only 16% of companion animals are acquired from animal shelters. Most often
people will take in strays
or turn to pet stores,
friends,
relatives
and
breeders.
While these may seem
like good options,
in reality many
pet stores obtain their animals from
puppy and kitten mills – massbreeding facilities that generally provide inadequate food, health care
and housing and produce animals
solely for profit. And while there are
many reputable breeders that provide exotic cat breeds, adopters
should consider that there are beautiful & loving cats of every description – even purebred ones – available at animal shelters.
Furthermore, while providing a
home for a kitten from the litter of a
friend’s cat may seem helpful to
your friend and the kitten, your
friend is not likely to ever get his cat
spayed if he can always find willing
friends to help find homes for the
kittens.
“For people considering to add
a cat, or any animal, to their lives,
the most responsible choice they
can make is to adopt from their local
animal shelter. We can’t stress
enough the importance of adoption
to combating pet overpopulation,”
says Veit.
Ensure a Safe Return
Lost cats, especially unsterilized
ones, add greatly to the number of
homeless cats. Lost cats that end up
at shelters have a slim chance of
reuniting with their loved ones, mainly because of improper identification.
The Canadian Federation of
Humane Societies reports
that fewer
Photography: Melissa McDade
Why Spay/Neuter is the Responsible Choice
Through the safe surgical procedures of
spaying/neutering, cats are effectively sterilized by
removing the uterus and ovaries (female) and testicles
(male).
Consider that in only seven years one female cat
and her offspring are capable of producing 420,000 cats
and it is obvious why sterilization is critical to reducing,
if not ending, cat overpopulation. Even if you are able to
find homes for one of your cat’s litter of kittens, you have
no way of knowing how many generations of homeless
cats may be produced from those kittens’ kittens.
“If every cat guardian spayed or
neutered their pet, it would help
tremendously towards reducing cat
overpopulation,” says Lisa Veit,
Ontario SPCA Director of Animal
Care
&
Wildlife
Services.
“Unfortunately, many people misunderstand what is medically involved
and do not realize that spaying and
neutering actually provide many
health benefits that could help
reduce their pet’s future medical
costs.”
For female cats, spaying can
help prevent uterine or ovarian cancer and mammary tumors, especially
if the spay is done before the cat’s
first heat. Neutering a male cat will
reduce his drive to roam or act
aggressively toward other animals,
thereby reducing his risk of injury
from fighting, cars and pesticides.
For its part, the Ontario SPCA
spays or neuters every healthy cat
before adoption from its branch
shelters. In recognizing the role of
surplus breeding in the cat overpopulation crisis, the Ontario SPCA also
supports early age (8-16 weeks of
age) spay/neuter (the Ontario
Veterinary Medical Association and
the Canadian Veterinary Medical
Association also support early
spay/neuter for shelter animals).
There are also efforts by the
Ontario
SPCA
to
provide
spay/neuter programs to lowincome cat owners. For example, in
2003, through a $20,000 grant from
PetSmart Charities of Canada, the
Barrie and Orillia Branches provided
a voucher program that enabled
lower-income families (earning a
combined income under $20,000),
Photography: Yvette Zandbergen
Animals’ Voice 11
A simple microchip can save you
potential heartaches.
than 4% of cats are reclaimed by their
owners. Conversely, about 25% of
lost dogs are reunited with their owners. This discrepancy is due
largely to more prevalent licensing and identification by-laws
for dogs.
If your municipality does
not require these lost-pet recovery measures, you still need to
take responsibility for identifying your cat with a collar and
tag, or even better, a microchip
for more permanent identification. You could even lobby
your local government to enact
these protective animal controls
as mandatory bylaws. HSUS
reports that statistics prove
mandatory registration programs
increase the number of impounded
cats returned to their owners. For
example, after Oahu in Hawaii
began requiring that all cats wear visible
identification
or
be
microchipped, its reclaim rate by
owners increased from 0.9% of
impounded cats (138) to 4% (627)
over a period of several years.
Many communities that require
licensing also offer reduced
Animals’ Voice 12
fees for spayed/neutered pets.
Recognizing the effectiveness of
proper pet identification, the Ontario
SPCA ensures that every cat it adopts
out is given an identification tag, and
encourages microchipping.
To Roam or Not to Roam
As with lost cats, unsterilized
cats that are allowed to roam out-
An indoor life is a happy and healthy life.
doors have a huge impact on cat
overpopulation and the swelling
number of cats in shelters. While
many people think it cruel and
unnatural to keep cats indoors,
cats can actually live very happy,
fulfilling indoor lives when provided with a stimulating environment
that satisfies their climbing and
stalking instincts.
In fact, keeping your cat
indoors is the most responsible
choice for your cat’s health. The
average life span for a free-roaming
cat is about three years, compared
to 12-18 years for the average
indoor cat. Outdoor cats encounter
many hazards, including traffic, diseases, poisons and injury from fighting with other animals. Also, indoor
cats still need proper identification,
as they can easily slip out of
an open door or window and
become lost.
To help combat overpopulation, an increasing
number of municipalities in
Canada and the United States
have bylaws prohibiting cats
from roaming. For cost reasons, these bylaws are usually enforced through a complaint system.
Spread the Word
Undoubtedly, Animals’
Voice readers understand the
importance of spay/neuter,
adoption and loss-prevention of
pets, and have already made
responsible choices regarding their
own pets. But you can still help
end cat overpopulation by spreading the word to friends, family, and
co-workers. Domesticated cats are
completely dependent on us, and it
is our collective responsibility to
ensure their happy and healthy
existence.
Spring/Summer 2004
Raccoons in the Attic!
...living with wildlife
by keri semenko
Program Coordinator, Animal Care and Wildlife Services
C
o-existing with wildlife can be challenging, and
as animals become more active in spring and
summer, the potential conflicts between human
homeowners and non-human neighbours intensify. The
species you come into contact with will vary depending
upon the area of Ontario that you reside in, but the central dilemma is generally the same. How do we deal with
situations when wildlife ‘invades’ what we believe to be
our space?
Homeowners are frequently concerned about raccoons in the attic, squirrels in the chimney, and skunks
under the porch. Although in many cases the issues do
not pose any significant danger to people, there is no
doubt that wildlife can cause property damage and create fear or panic for those who do not know how to
handle the presence of wild animals in their living space.
The preventative approach is the best one to pursue. Preventing conflicts with wildlife involves “wildlife
proofing” your home and yard. Generally, wild animals
are attracted to a specific location because the area
offers shelter and an available food source.
Animals enter attics, porches, and sheds because
they have access points. It is important to do a thorough
survey of your home to assess where wildlife could
enter, and the best time to do this is in the late summer
or fall.
If there are gaps in your soffets, spaces below your
porch, or holes in the shed door, some inquisitive wild
animal
will
undoubtedly
find the access
point
and
make their way
inside. When
these potential
entrances are
found, always
check to see if
An open space below your porch is an open
wildlife have
invitation for wildlife.
already entered and,
if no one has discovered the entrance yet, seal it off to
prevent any animals from using it as a doorway.
It is also important to minimize available sources
of food which can attract wildlife to the area. Store
garbage in a garage or animal-proof can, keep barbeque grills clean, treat your lawn for grubs – any food
source will serve to attract wildlife to your yard and
Spring/Summer 2004
increase the possibility of conflict.
If it is too late for prevention and there is already
an animal living in the attic or another undesired area,
there are several humane methods to discourage continued habitation. For example, when raccoons and squirrels enter an attic, the creation of a less secure environment through the use of light and noise can make them
leave. Battery operated radios and lights can be used to
disturb the animal and make the environment unwelcoming.
An important consideration when
trying to evict adult wildlife is the possibility of young animals being left behind.
Whenever possible, the Ontario SPCA
advocates for tolerance of parent animals. The best time to encourage the
entire family to vacate the premises is
when the young have been weaned and
are able to live independently. However,
garbage
forcing an adult animal to leave prior to Animal-proof
cans reduce your
this point may mean that helpless babies property’s attractiveness to wildlife.
are left behind to starve to death.
Encounters with wildlife are inevitable as urban
development encroaches more and more on the remnants of natural habitat that remain. However, these
interactions can be positive if the right perspective is
taken and humane avenues of co-existence are
explored. If we could shift our attitude to recognize that
it is a privilege to share our world with unique and
intriguing species of animals, our perception of interactions with wildlife might change. We need to remember
that it is humans who have invaded natural ecosystems
and through their intelligence and ingenuity wild animals have managed to adapt to our ever increasing presence in their environments. Instead of regarding wildlife
as a “nuisance” we should respect their ability to survive,
despite the odds, and embrace them as valuable components of a rich and diverse environment.
For more information about co-existing with
wildlife, please visit the Ontario SPCA website
www.ospca.on.ca
Animals’ Voice 13
Red-Phase Screech Owl!
A ‘First’ for the Ontario SPCA
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
by judith wilson, Ontario SPCA Wildlife Rehabilitator
O
n February 4th of this year, a local resident
arrived at the Ontario SPCA Wildlife Rehabilitation
Centre in Midland with a small box. He claimed that
earlier that day he had gone into the basement of his
house and found a small owl sitting on the desk of his
office! After some discussion, the only conclusion we
could come to was that it made its way down the
chimney and into the basement, and then could not
figure how to get out.
Well, that being an unusual situation on its own,
we then opened the box for an examination… the little
owl that we expected to see was also an unusual
colour. Most small owls in this area of Ontario are
either Northern Saw-whet Owls or Eastern ScreechOwls, both of which are shades of brown and/or grey.
But this owl was red! Low and behold, we had a RedPhase Eastern Screech Owl, a phase that is not very
common and one none of the staff at the Wildlife
Rehabilitation Centre had seen before.
After a full examination we could only find some
feather damage, most likely due to his journey down
the chimney. However, to make sure there was nothing
else wrong, we kept him inside for a couple days of
observation.
Animals’ Voice 14
Luckily there were no
signs of any trauma or
illness, and he was a
very good weight, especially for the time of year.
This meant that he got to
move to an outdoor
aviary soon after his
arrival, and was then
released into a nice wooded
area near where he was found.
Hopefully this adventure of his
taught him that basements are not
appropriate environments for any variety of owl!
Although he was only at the Wildlife
Rehabilitation Centre briefly, all the staff and volunteers
were very lucky and pleased to have the opportunity
to see a Red-Phase Eastern Screech Owl.
Spring/Summer 2004
T
o
T
h
e
R
he Ontario SPCA responds to over 15,000 calls a year concerning animal cruelty, but not
T
all rescues are from situations of cruelty or neglect. Inspectors and Agents are often
called upon to help animals in need that have suffered accidents or are in a ‘predicament’. Cats seem to be particularly vulnerable. It is undeniable that allowing a cat to freely
roam can put its well-being in jeopardy from all kinds of hazards.
Here are some examples of rescues.
every day. As for no longer having a
tail and having to adjust to walking
with three legs instead of four – he is a
natural. Despite his horrific ordeal, his
loving, constantly aiming to please personality has not changed at all.
FLEMING’S STORY
Inspector Stephanie Auger, Temiskaming Branch
CAUGHT IN A TRAP
The cat was in excruciating pain from the constant
pressure on its leg of the steel jaws of the trap
swollen and very painful as a result of
the severe injuries to the ligaments,
I received a call in March this year tendons and muscle. Unfortunately, the
about a cat that had its leg caught in a leg and tail had to be amputated.
trap set behind a business in the City of
The cat is currently being cared
Brantford.
for at the veterinary clinic.
I drove to the scene
He is receiving treatment
and was lead to the cat by
for a secondary medical
its ear-piercing screams. It
problem that stemmed
was in excruciating pain
from the trap. The veterifrom the constant presnarian found that the
sure on its leg of the steel
nerves which control his
jaws of the trap. The cat
bladder and bowels had
was violently flailing
been damaged as a result
about attempting to free
of his violent movements
its leg from the trap’s
while attempting to get
tightly clamped jaws. I
free from the trap’s bone
He is currently being cared for at
quickly freed the cat and
crushing jaws. At this time,
the veterinary clinic.
took it to a local veterinary
he needs medical assistance
clinic for immediate treatment of its in order to urinate and defecate.
injuries.
I don’t know how long it will take
The examining veterinarian found to regain full use of his bladder and
the cat’s leg and tail to be extremely bowels, but he is improving a little
Agent Dixie Bowden, Brant County Branch
Animals’ Voice 16
In January I received a telephone
call from someone stating they had
found a cat that was frozen solid. The
cat was found early in the morning on
Fleming Road in Haileybury. The temperature that morning was -42C.
I asked the caller if the cat was
alive or dead and she informed me that
it had “thawed out” and was “now act-
e
ing strangely, that it was shaking, bobbing its head up and down and that it
was bleeding from somewhere”.
Upon arrival at the caller’s residence, I found the cat in a carrier,
blood spattered throughout the cage.
The cat was indeed demonstrating
signs of neurological injury and I took
him to a local veterinarian for emergency care.
At the veterinary clinic, an examination revealed a broken and injured
tail which was the source of the blood.
Medications were given to offset the
neurological symptoms and the effects
of severe frostbite.
Two days later, I visited
“Fleming” and found him to be bright,
alert and responsive. The upper half
of his right ear was curling onto itself
indicating damage from frostbite and
the probable loss of that portion. His
right foot had swollen to three times
its normal size and appeared to be
very painful. His tail was, however,
the most damaged of all. Only a few
inches closest to his body appeared to
have any chance of being saved.
Fleming was transferred to the
Ontario SPCA shelter in New Liskeard
where he was scheduled for surgery
for amputation of his tail, and two of
the toes from his right foot.
He has since completely recovered and is a wonderfully active and
bratty boy! Even with his missing body
parts, he is still very handsome.
Fleming, about eight months old, is
now available for adoption and would
be a great addition to any family.
EIGHT LIVES LEFT
Inspector Robert Tamblyn, Peel Region
Fleming was found frozen solid
outside in -42C temperature.
Spring/Summer 2004
I received a call one morning
from a member of the public who had
Spring/Summer 2004
s
c
been hearing a cat crying for days and
had now realized where the cries
were coming from. His next door
neighbour had recently renovated his
porch and had inadvertently trapped a
cat behind a brick wall. The stray cat
had been using the porch as home
and had been hiding there during the
renovations.
When I arrived on the scene the
caller had spoken to his neighbour at
work and obtained his permission to
do whatever was needed to free the
cat. We broke a hole in the brick wall
using a sledge hammer, and with the
aid of a flashlight I could see the cat
huddled in a corner – too frightened
to move and impossible to reach. We
left food and water inside the now
‘un-renovated’ porch, and by morning
the cat had come out. The porch was
renovated again, this time making sure
there was no-one at home. We’re not
sure where the cat went, but apparently he still visits occasionally for dinner.
u
e
!
The open road can be very dangerous for wildlife,
such as swans.
Inspector Carol Vanderheide met
me, and my co-op student, Ashley
Smith by the side of the road at Huron
Park. We could see the swan, a
Tundra swan, in a muddy farm field.
It would take a couple of steps and
then fall down again. Inspector
Vanderheide warned us that swans
SWAN RECOVERY
can be aggressive and how strong
Agent Kara Gosleigh, Huronia and District Branch
their wings, beaks and necks are. We
walked slowly towards the swan and
Inspector Carol Vanderheide surrounded it. The swan was quite
received a call in mid March about a weak at this point and we were able
swan that had been hit on the road to quickly cover it with a blanket. Its
and was in distress.
feet were caked with
One of the people
pounds of wet mud
whose car had hit
from the field. Our
the swan by accifeet were like cement
dent called the
shoes and it was quite
Ontario SPCA to
difficult to walk.
report their concern.
The swan was
They reported that
taken by Carol to the
the swan was lying
swan keepers for the
The injured swan is being cared for.
in a field and was
City of Stratford. Its
having difficulty moving. The swan’s wing was not broken after all, but
one wing appeared broken. The inci- badly bruised. The young bird is now
dent happened near Huron Park, in recovering well and plans for its
release will soon be made.
Huron County.
Animals’ Voice 17
T o
T h e
RADLEY’S STORY
Inspector Stephanie Auger, Temiskaming Branch
In May last year, a female
Samoyed mix dog was found abandoned on Radley’s Hill Road in New
Liskeard.
She had Sarcoptic Mange, a serious but treatable skin infection. Her
condition had been allowed to
progress to the point where the skin on
most of her body was scabby and
infected, causing her much pain and
discomfort.
“Radley” was taken to the Ontario
SPCA shelter and treated for her skin
condition. We also discovered that
Radley had serious food allergies.
The daily care and treatment of
the Ontario SPCA animals is provided
by the veterinary technician students at
Boreal College. One very special student, Julie, developed a keen interest
R e s c u e !
in Radley’s care and well-being. At the
end of Julie’s term at Boreal College,
she could not bear the thought of leaving her special new friend behind.
As you can see from the “after”
photo below, Radley is now the picture
of good health. Julie and Radley are
friends for life.
LlAMA AT LARGE
Inspectors Mindy Hall and Sarah Jones, York Region
Radley was in a very poor state when she was
taken to the Ontario SPCA shelter
Animals’ Voice 18
assist us in carefully loading it into a
vehicle for transport to a foster home.
We had to be very careful during transport and during recovery from the
sedation to make sure the animal didn’t
hurt itself, and that its head was supported to prevent the possibility of
choking.
Everything went well, and ‘CocoaPuff’, as he was named, soon made
himself at home in the capable hands
of fosterer Denny Le Masurier. Denny
has fostered a lot of unusual animals
for the Society, and soon gained the
llama’s trust.
No-one came forward to claim the
llama, so after two months of care and
socialization with Denny, Cocoa-Puff
was adopted and joined lots of other
animals at the home of Denise
Reinhardt. Like Denny, Denise has
taken in many needy creatures. CocoaPuff has settled in well. Some of his
new companions, including a blind
horse, will be going with Denise and
Denny on therapy visits to residents at
a nursing home. Maybe one day…..!
Late one evening last summer we
were paged by the police seeking assistance at a farm in the
Town of Georgina
where a stray llama
had jumped a fence
into a field to join a
herd of cattle – much
to their, and the
farmer’s, consternation.
It soon became
too dark, so we
returned early the
next morning with a
local
veterinarian
who was able to
Cocoa-Puff is living happily at his new home
sedate the llama and
Spring/Summer 2004
Photography: Debra Beattie
Working in the Front Line
by brian pemberton, Director of Marketing and Communications
O
ntario is bigger than France and Spain put together. The 200
Inspectors and Agents of the Ontario SPCA have a lot of
ground to cover, especially in the north of the province.
Alison McAllister is the Regional Inspector for North Eastern
Ontario, based at the Sudbury Branch.
Sudbury’s area alone is well over 18,000 square miles and,
together with colleagues in surrounding Branches and affiliated
societies, Alison works an enormous 30,000 plus square miles!
This brings its own problems of logistics and planning on a
daily basis, but they are no match for her dedication, compassion
and undoubted skills, especially when combined with those of the
Inspectors and Agents she assists. For most of the six and a half
years Alison has been an Inspector she has also been a volunteer
firefighter in her spare time for the City of Greater Sudbury. Did I
mention drive and determination?
How did you become a Regional Inspector?
I started by doing volunteer work at the Sudbury Branch, and
spent two years as a volunteer Agent. Six and a half years ago I
joined the staff full-time as the Manager of the Sudbury Branch and
shortly after became an Inspector. I have been Regional Inspector
for the last three years. Recently the Sudbury Region’s area was further extended and I now devote all my time to the role of Regional
Inspector. Al Bentley now manages the Sudbury Branch.
I’ve always been interested in law enforcement – I have a
diploma from the Fish, Wildlife and Forestry Technologist program
at Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology. I’ve always loved
animals, of course. My family comes from Manitoulin Island, which
is in the Sudbury Branch district, and I grew up with lots of exposure to all types of animals.
to find new homes for all the animals
due to the species as well as their ages
but they have now all gone to the
Papanack Park Zoo east of Ottawa.
Without the dedication and determination of all of the staff members
involved in this situation it would have
been more stressful.
Other than size, is your area different from more southerly ones?
A lot of the area is ‘unorganized’,
which means there are no by-laws, no
animal control in much of the areas. I
think this is the biggest challenge. It
results in a lot of ‘collectors’ and breeders. Animal control for Sudbury deals
with injured wildlife for the area. We
also are fortunate to have a licensed
wildlife rehabilitation centre located in
our area at Walden Animal Hospital. A
couple of the staff of the Walden Animal
Hospital participate as members of the
Sudbury Branch Advisory Committee.
The north also has a large number of
‘petting zoo’ type operations with ‘exotic’ animals. The area is also so vast with
few residents in much of it that unless
someone sees something wrong you
would never know that it exists.
You’ve made a big difference to
the lives of a great many animals.
You must find that very rewarding.
The biggest reward is helping the
animals – they can’t speak for themselves. The job is challenging in all
sorts of ways, physically and emotionally. It challenges you to be a better
person in dealing with people, to learn
and be open to learning. I love to learn
and I love to teach. It’s a big part of my
job to teach compassion, understanding and humane treatment of animals.
Have any cases had a particular
effect on you?
I really believe a piece of every
case you work on stays with you. Some
that immediately spring to mind – the
65 abandoned zoo animals which
became very attached to us because we
had looked after them for almost a
year. A case that made me realize that I
wouldn’t be able to answer ‘why’ questions about people – someone dipped
a domestic rat into boiling water just to
see what would happen. That disturbed me because I thought the person could also end up hurting people
eventually. Another case that I heard of
which was similar was when someone
had left a dog in a cage in an apartment
and just let it starve to death. Carlos,
the dog that received an award for
courage last year – he was beaten up
and had to have a leg amputated.
When animals are rehabilitated they are
very forgiving. Carlos was forgiving,
but with his leg missing the evidence of
abuse will always be with him. I think
that’s why he sticks in my mind so
much.
There are many bad stories, but
there are many, many happy endings
that I will always remember.
What’s the best thing about
your job?
Being able to make a real difference to the lives of animals and people.
Alison McAllister was Ontario
SPCA Inspector of the Year, 2001.
I’ve talked about square miles but I believe you measure
distance in hours?
Yes. It can take many hours to get to an animal’s location. We
certainly have to plan our activities carefully. We also have very
good relationships with other organizations, including the OPP, who
assist in emergencies. Cooperation between the staff at Sudbury and
at surrounding Branches and affiliated humane societies works well.
Over the last year, for example, we have been caring for 65 abandoned zoo animals at Walford, a three-hour round trip from
Sudbury plus two hours to feed all the animals. For the first month
I went every day with staff from Sudbury, then we split the responsibility with another branch. After this we scheduled a staff member
from Sudbury with a volunteer to attend daily. It took a long time
Animals’ Voice 20
Spring/Summer 2004
Spring/Summer 2004
Animals’ Voice 21
Society News
York Region celebrates its volunteers
Staff and animals celebrate the dedicated volunteers.
Volunteers with the York Region Branch were honoured with a Volunteer Appreciation Night on April 22 in
recognition of their dedication and hard work on behalf
of the Society. The 59 volunteers and staff who gathered
in the Ontario Room at the Provincial Animal Centre
enjoyed music, food and refreshments, and the opportunity to share stories about their volunteer experiences.
Volunteers have been an integral part of the Society
since its inception, and for York Region the York
Humane Guild holds a special place in its history of volunteer involvement.
area. From the initial moment of this community driven initiative, there was a dedicated group of women who
worked hard to help make the shelter a reality.
Primary among the Auxiliary’s goals was fundraising to gather the money necessary to purchase property, build a shelter, hire staff, and buy a vehicle. For
decades this group of volunteers worked and in the
1960s they were instrumental in locating and purchasing
property on Industrial Street in Aurora. It was at this
location that the Ontario Humane Society York County
shelter opened in 1968.
Although the Auxiliary renamed itself the York
Humane Guild in the 1960s, they continued to perform
the same essential fundraising function, and persevered
with these duties even after the shelter opened. The
Guild’s efforts included house tours, the ‘Odds ‘n Togs’
thrift shop, craft sales, and special events. Over the years
the Guild raised more than $100,000 and played a key
role in establishing and maintaining the Ontario SPCA
branch in York Region.
The Investigations Department was also there to express their thanks
to the volunteers.
Volunteers and friends having a great time.
The York Humane Guild began as a Women’s
Auxiliary in the first half of the 20th century. Public demand
for an adequate animal shelter in York Region began in the
1920s and the focus of the campaign was to create a
regional shelter that was linked to the Ontario Humane
Society, which would ensure high standards of animal care
and would perform animal cruelty investigations in the
Animals’ Voice 22
The guild continued to operate until 2002 when it
disbanded due to declining membership and other
changes. Several Guild members remain active in the
York Region Branch and volunteer in the shelter, as
wildlife drivers, and at fundraising events.
For over 60 years members of the York Humane
Guild have played a tremendous role in the operation of
an animal shelter in York. The compassion for animals
that inspired these women to give so much of their time
has been foundational to the success of the Ontario
SPCA in York. The well-equipped facility that currently
operates as the York Branch and the provincial headquarters owes much to the ongoing contributions of the
York Humane Guild.
Keri Semenko, Program Coordinator, Animal Care and Wildlife Services (Keri
previously held the position of Volunteer Coordinator)
Spring/Summer 2004
National Wildlife Week
At the same time it was decided to cease providing
veterinary services to the public at the Provincial Animal
Centre Veterinary Hospital. The Hospital is now devoted
entirely to servicing shelter and investigations animals.
The Ontario SPCA is deeply grateful and appreciative of the hard work and dedication of all the staff and
volunteers at these facilities.
Society launches new
pet adoption promotion
On April 3, 2004 the Provincial office of the Ontario
SPCA celebrated National Wildlife Week with a fabulous
community event. This year’s theme for National Wildlife
Week was “Give backyard birds something to sing
about” and the event was focused on teaching people
appropriate ways to attract and appreciate wildlife in
their own backyards. The day’s activities included a fabulous wildlife-themed puppet show, the chance to build
bird boxes, and a guided hike through habitat enhancement areas on the Ontario SPCA property. Posters, bookmarks, and activity sheets were also available for participants to take home to learn more about local wildlife.
Every one who attended the event had a great time and
the Ontario SPCA looks forward to offering a similar
event for National Wildlife Week 2005!
Structural changes
Earlier this year some hard decisions had to be
made. Regrettably, the Society could no longer sustain
the high operating costs of the adoption centre facility of
the East Algoma Branch in Elliot Lake and of the
Scarborough/North York Branch.
The East Algoma adoption centre was closed in
February, with shelter and investigations services transferred to the Sudbury Branch. At the end of February
Scarborough/North York shelter and adoption services
were transferred to the Provincial Animal Centre in
Newmarket. The Scarborough/North York Branch
Advisory Committee, its two thrift stores and its dedicated volunteers remain active.
Spring/Summer 2004
Making a “Friend for Life” is the central message of
a new Ontario SPCA promotion that encourages people
to make adoption their first option when adding an animal companion to their lives.
Beginning in June, a t-shirt with the “Friend for Life”
logo will be
given out with
every pet adoption from an
Ontario SPCA
branch adoption
centre. The promotion, which
will also include
brochures and
media releases,
continues until
next June, in part replacing the previous Adopt A Cat
and Adopt A Dog campaigns that ran in June and
October, respectively.
“This year-long promotion will help spread the
word about the wonderful pets that are available
through adoption, as well as reminding people that the
animals we bring into our lives truly do become our
friends for life,” says Lisa Veit, the Society’s Director of
Animal Care and Wildlife Services.
The new promotion was made possible through the
generous support of sponsors Global and Ryan’s Pet
Food Stores and Purina PetCare.
Subscribe to Newshound
Newshound – the electronic newsletter of the
Ontario SPCA sent every
two months to your email
address.
To subscribe simply send an
email to [email protected]
with the word “subscribe” entered
on the subject line.
Animals’ Voice 23
Society News
Ontario SPCA Spay North Program
Making Progress
The delivery date for the Ontario SPCA’s Spay
North Program has been moved to early Fall. Plans are
underway to obtain quality equipment and supplies and
to put together the best possible team of staff and volunteers for the spay/neuter and veterinary services clinic to be held on the remote northern island of Moose
Factory.
Alison McAllister is assuming the role of Spay North
Program Manager in addition to her very special duties
as Regional Inspector – North Eastern Region for the
Ontario SPCA. Alison is busy making plans, connecting
with representatives on the island, and bringing people
on board to help. In addition to preventing the dog overpopulation crisis, our goal is to encourage more humane
and extensive local by-laws, and to provide education
regarding animal health and care.
We extend a very special thank you to the following corporate supporters who have contributed to this
exciting new program that will change the future of animal welfare in northern Ontario. We will continue to
keep you informed of our progress.
Very Special Thanks to: PETsMart Charities of Canada, National Anti-Vivisection Society,
Pfizer Animal Health and Merial Canada Inc.
New ways to help the animals
There are now two more ways you can help the
animals that are rescued by the Ontario SPCA.
Second Annual Dog Day at the SkyDome
The existing RWorld printer cartridge recycling program has now been expanded! Through the
recycling program the Society receives a donation for every
cartridge sent to RWorld on the Society’s behalf for recycling. Now, when you buy recycled cartridges from the
RWorld web store, via the Ontario SPCA website, the
Society will also receive part of the proceeds from the sales.
By purchasing RWorld recycled cartridges you are
helping both the animals and the environment, in addition to saving an average of 30% over the cost of original equipment manufacturer cartridges. Plus, with
RWorld replacement cartridges you receive an average of
30% more ink, free shipping with a minimum order of
$50 and the convenience of home delivery. Visit
www.ospca.on.ca/RWorld to buy or recycle printer cartridges.
Donate your excess belongings for sale at
public auction by On The Mark Auction Services.
You can put your unwanted items to good use – part of
the proceeds from the sales will help the Ontario SPCA
continue saving the lives of animals. For details and
information about what kind of items can be sold, contact On The Mark Auction Services at (905) 830-7774 or
[email protected].
Meeting the challenge
The Society remained strong in its animal life-saving
work during 2003 – a year that brought increased challenges to investigation and adoption efforts.
The number of Criminal Code of Canada and
Ontario SPCA Act charges in 2003 increased by almost
144% from 2002, with 15,743 complaints investigated.
Nearly 1,500 of these investigations involved farm animals – almost double the number of farm animal cases
in 2001. Overall, there was a 29.5% increase in the number of removed and abandoned animals taken in to the
Society’s care.
The Society faced these challenges by continuing to
provide excellent nurturing and rehabilitation of the animals and achieving an increase in adoptions from the
previous year.
Thanks to your support, in 2003, the Society’s
Animals’ Voice 24
Spring/Summer 2004
branches found loving homes for 2,802 dogs, 5,156 cats
and 567 small domestic animals, such as rabbits and
guinea pigs.
Spring/Summer 2004
Following the highly successful first event last
September, ‘Dog Day at Skydome’ is back again this year
on August 15th.
Participants last year enjoyed a great day at the ball
game with their canine companions. The Jays and the
Ontario SPCA
will again be
partnering the
event, this time at the
game between the Jays
and the Baltimore Orioles.
Part of the proceeds from
ticket sales to the designated doggy
areas goes to the Ontario SPCA – dogs get in free! Come
along and join in the fun!
For information about ticket sales visit www.bluejays.com/dogday or telephone (416) 341-1234.
Smarter Than Jack
This fall will see the publication of the special
Canadian edition of ‘Smarter Than Jack’, a book containing true stories about smart animals, submitted by the
public. In partnership with the Canadian Federation of
Humane Societies and the publishers, the Ontario SPCA
will be marketing the book, with part of the proceeds
going to Society funds.
Three books have been published so far and over
$120,000 has been raised to help animals in New
Zealand and Australia. The Canadian edition will be
published in October 2004. Details will be posted on
www.ospca.on.ca
Animals’ Voice 25
Focus
by nancy mehi DVM,
Veterinarian, Ontario SPCA Provincial Animal Centre
OBESITY IN DOGS AND CATS
M
any pet owners have overweight or obese pets, due to overfeeding an
inappropriate diet, lack of exercise, and occasionally underlying medical
problems. Why is this a concern? Obesity has long been regarded by medical
researchers as a major factor in predisposing people to many health problems,
and obese cats and dogs face similar health risks as obese humans.
There are many adverse effects
associated with obesity:
jgreater risk of joint disease and
arthritis
jgreater risk of ruptured ligamentsoften involving the knee (cruciate
ligament)
jgreater risk of heart and respiratory disease
jgreater risk of diabetes mellitus
jgreater risk of liver disease
jgreater risk of lower urinary tract
disease in cats
jgreater risk of cancer
jgreater anesthetic risk and surgical
complications
jless energy, less active- a vicious
cycle of inactivity and more weight
gain
jreduced exercise tolerance
jmore irritability, reduced enjoyment of life
All of the above factors will tend
to decrease the quality of life and possibly the life expectancy of your pet.
If you’re not sure if your pet is overweight or obese, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian, who will
perform a complete physical examination, accurately weigh your pet on a
digital scale, and assess your pets
body condition. If your pet is overweight or obese, your veterinarian will
then discuss with you a weight loss
program. Your vet should give you
information on obesity and the benefits of maintaining an ideal weight, to
take home with you. In some cases
your vet may suggest a wellness blood
profile to screen for any underlying
health problems. For dogs that have
experienced chronic obesity and
resistance to weight loss, thyroid testing will likely be recommended, and it
can easily be done on a blood sample
as well.
A key component of any weight
loss program is communication
between all family members. Hold a
meeting, and discuss what
your vet has told you,
including the information
brochure on obesity.
Everyone in the family
needs to understand the
adverse health risks associated with obesity, and
realize that their full
cooperation is vital
to successful
weight loss.
There are
several brands
of weight
reduction diets
available at
veterinary
offices, in dry
kibble, canned
and pouch for-
mats. The number of calories (“kcals”)
that your pet is allowed to consume
each day will be determined by your
veterinarian, and then how much food
you can give each day will be calculated. It is very important to carefully
measure out the correct amount to be
fed, using a measuring cup (not a coffee mug !) for dry food. If you give
treats their calories must be taken into
consideration as well.
The initial target weight for your
pet is usually about a 15 % reduction.
For example, an obese 17 lb cat
would have a target
weight of 17 x 15 % =
2.6 lbs to be lost, for a
target weight of 14.4 lbs.
To achieve this 15 %
weight loss, you will
feed a weight loss diet
for an average of 12 –
14 weeks in dogs, and
18 – 20 weeks for
cats.
Overfeeding and lack of exercise can result in obesity,
which is extremely hazardous to your pet’s health
Spring/Summer 2004
Animals’ Voice 27
Here are some tips for successful weight loss in your pet:
jalways feed a prescription weight loss diet recommended
by your veterinarian, as “light” or “less active” diets are not
sufficiently calorie reduced for weight loss. These latter
diets are better for prevention of obesity
jintroduce the new diet over a 7 – 10 day period by gradually mixing it in with your pets regular diet
jreport any problems with feeding the
new diet such as loss of appetite to your
veterinarian immediately. This is especially
important in obese cats, where preference
for the regular diet can trigger anorexia,
and severe liver problems can result
jcarefully measure out the correct quantities of food and treats to be fed
jgive several small meals per day rather
than placing all the food down at once.
Many pets, including cats, gorge themselves and then still beg for more food
later on
jkeep your own dining area off limits to pets, to avoid
begging at the table and family members being tempted to
give snacks of human food
jdo not give your pet any leftovers – my motto is: do not
treat the pet like the garbage can!
jkeep allowable treats such as baby carrots readily available
jbefore starting your pet on a more rigorous exercise program, talk to your vet first to ensure there are no other
health concerns such as arthritis or heart disease
Give several small
meals per day rather
than placing all the
food down at once.
Many pets, including
cats, gorge themselves
and then still beg for
more food later on
jfeed your pet a meal right before you eat your own meal
to prevent begging
jin a multicat household with only one obese cat on a special diet, feed that cat in a separate room to prevent it from
cheating and running over to finish off another cats food
Animals’ Voice 28
jif you have stairs, feed your cat downstairs, several times
a day, so it gets some exercise going up and down them
jremember to introduce exercise gradually, and go for walks
in the early morning or evening to avoid the summer heat
j keep your pets weight loss chart or graph posted on the
refrigerator or other visible place so all family members see
what progress is being made
jgo to your veterinarian for regularly scheduled weight
rechecks – the digital scale will accurately show even small
reductions to keep you motivated, and if there isn’t any
progress being made your vet can make adjustments in the
calories being fed
Be motivated and keep focused on your pets weight loss
goal, and the results will be worth it – you’ll have a healthier pet who will live a longer, happier life!
Spring/Summer 2004