NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO SPCA
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As fire rages near the Northern community of Pikangikum First Nation, the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society and its partners are working together to transport dogs south to find new homes in order to make room to house evacuated animals.
Heading from Thunder Bay, 20 dogs and puppies aboard the North Bay and District Humane Society’s Pet Valu Animal Rescue Express are making their way south where there is a greater demand for adoptable pets. The dogs are set to arrive in North Bay tonight before continuing on to Ontario SPCA animal centres in Barrie, Muskoka, Midland, Orillia and Orangeville tomorrow.
The dogs were being cared for by Northern Reach Rescue Network, a rescue group based in Thunder Bay that transports dogs in need of homes from Northern communities to be adopted.
As Pikangikum First Nation began evacuating due to a forest fire, Northern Reach needed to make room in its program to provide foster care for displaced dogs from the fire-stricken community, located about 300 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.
The rehoming mission is part of the Ontario SPCA’s Support the North campaign, which is aimed at bringing awareness, attention and action to the lack of animal wellness resources in Northern communities.
The Ontario SPCA and its partners have developed a network of individuals, organizations and communities united in creating healthy communities for animals and people. This new network is called the Animal North Network. In 2018, the Ontario SPCA and its animal wellness partners transported over 550 animals from the North to be adopted.
“By working together through the Animal North Network, we’re able to move these dogs in need of families to other areas of the province in order to ensure there are more resources available in the North to help animals displaced by fires,” says Judi Cannon, Director, Partnerships & Community Outreach, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
To learn more about Support the North and the Animal North Network, visit northernanimals.ca. For more information on adopting an animal from the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, visit ontariospca.ca.
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