Animal Transfer program to help over 130 cats from Northern Ontario find forever homes

Over 130 cats are closer to finding their forever homes after a collaborative transfer from Northern Ontario with the Welland & District Humane Society, the Ontario SPCA, and other of our incredible partners.

The Welland SPCA has a long-standing relationship with Kenora Cat Shelter and Second Chance Pet Network in Dryden, which reached out for help when they reached capacity. Beat the Heat Kenora, a volunteer-based animal welfare group assisting with the transfer, picked up 50 cats and travelled to Wawa to meet the Welland SPCA’s transport team. On the journey back, the Welland team stopped at a partnering Indigenous Community on Manitoulin Island to pick up four kittens.

“This mission is a true collaboration and dedication to animal welfare,” says John Greer, Executive Director, Welland & District SPCA. “These cats have been given a second chance thanks to all the community partners involved: Beat the Heat Kenora, Ontario SPCA, Kenora Cat Shelter, Second Chance Pet Network, North Star Air Ltd. and the Wikki Rez dog group. The Welland & District SPCA looks forward to working with these community partners in the future in providing essential services to the North.”

The Ontario SPCA team made the trip to Dryden to pick up 85 cats from Second Chance Pet Rescue before heading back to Stouffville. The team made a stop at the North Bay and District Humane Society, to provide the cats with care and a place to rest on their long journey. They were met there by Georgian Triangle Humane Society, which brought 10 of the cats back to Collingwood to find homes through their adoption program.

The remaining 75 cats arrived at the Ontario SPCA Provincial Education & Animal Centre Thursday evening. A total of 25 of those animals remained at the centre in Stouffville and are becoming available as of today. The remaining 50 will be adopted through the Welland & District SPCA.

“The Ontario SPCA is pleased to be able to offer its support to this transfer and is proud to have such wonderful partners in animal welfare,” says Daryl Vaillancourt, Senior Director, Humane Programs & Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA. “Partnerships like this truly do make a difference in the lives of animals.”