Sonya Reichel’s Post

In my mind Carol Beard has always been synonymous with our mission and values at the Ontario SPCA. A kind leader, a team player and an individual that will always go above and beyond for pets and people in our community. Carol, you will truly be missed! I'm grateful you will stay connected with our team members and our future events. Your legacy will continue on as we face the future and serve the Orillia community. Wishing you the VERY best in the next chapter of your life ❤️ Nova Scotia is lucky to have you!

It’s hard to believe I’ve been at the Ontario SPCA for over 8 months, with the first half of 2024 flying by. I’ve settled in and found a rhythm, however I find myself continually awed by the work that our teams accomplish. The dedication, commitment and focus – it’s unwavering. This year, the needs from our community has soared to an all-time high. Some highlights from my midyear report include: -           3467 total intakes, 42% higher than previous year -           48% increase in owner surrenders -           44% increase in stray intakes, primarily dogs Currently we have 640 cats and dogs in care, 40% over our capacity. Our Provincial Animal Transfer Hub recently opened to serve dogs and cats from our Northern Communities needing support as well as pets needing care from Animal Welfare Services. On our first day of opening, 10 dogs entered care, a number we anticipate to grow over the coming months. I’ll end by spotlighting a story. Agatha 👇 👇 👇 is the sweetest kitty waiting for an adoptive home at the Barrie Animal Centre. She’s been waiting 170 days. Too long to be in a cage (although the team gives her endless enrichment time and love). Too long to be waiting for a home. She’s a tough sell – she’s 10 years old and diabetic. However she’s resilient, a fighter and a loving pet. She’s waiting patiently for her family. Please check her out and share her story at ontariospca.ca/adopt

I'm so excited to welcome Dr. Kirk to our team! Looking forward to working together with such a skilled and experienced veterinarian, as well as a fellow horse enthusiast!

The PUPS (preventing unethical puppy sales) passed late last week - fantastic!!! This law will work towards protecting dogs and the public from unethical breeders. Also late last week, 12 shih tzus joined the The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society (along with a total intake of 156 cats, dogs and small mammals) from a household needing help. Thank you so much for everyone that has contributed to their care - your generosity means the world to us! Read the story here: https://lnkd.in/eDGatQjZ

Getting together, in person, to connect and solve problems, is truly one of my favourite activities. Over the last two days, our leaders from across the Province, paused their busy work weeks, to come together as a team. We started our time with updates outlining business and personal bests and challenges. We identified areas we wanted input from each other. We consolidated lists and focused priorities for our time together. We tackled common issues in breakout groups. We challenged ourselves to summarize the clear priorities – knowing if we tried to do everything, we would end up doing nothing. As a favourite mentor of mine always says, you need to focus on the big rocks in the jar. 😊 Our final product was an action plan. A roadmap to guide us and keep ourselves focused and accountable. We ended our session using one word to share how we felt. Optimistic. Recharged. Connected. Excited. Hopeful. Proud. Grateful. Powerful words and a reminder of the importance to spend time together. Our world is busy and distracting. In the chaos, we need space and energy for each other and ourselves.

I'm so proud of our teams for pulling off such a successful event. 👇 👇 👇 113 adoptions. 113 pets that are no longer in cages or kennels. So many lives impacted in an immensely positive way. Congratulations Ontario SPCA staff and volunteers!!! You are every day unsung heroes for pets in need! 💖 Thank you to everyone that adopted or helped us to promote!

Seeking a leader! The incredible team at the Midland Animal Centre are looking for a seasoned, compassionate and driven leader to join our team. 2024 is an exciting year for the The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society as we are opening our Provincial Animal Transfer Hub to be run in tandem with our Animal Centre in Midland. Together, with our donors, staff and volunteers, these two buildings will be supporting the care and rehoming of hundreds of animals in need. Are you someone that is looking for a career with purpose? This is the role for you. Please share and help us spread the word! PATH and Midland Manager role: https://lnkd.in/gZRdq77e

The The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society currently has over 160 pets available for adoption. Daily, and I mean daily, requests are coming in - mostly for puppies - overarchingly for canines. I am still gobsmacked by this trend- I guess I just never thought I would see the day. To support our communities and free up more space for people and pets in need, we are reducing our adoption fees by 20% for all animals available for adoption for May 31st and June 1st. 💥 💥 💥 Please share. Please spread the word (especially with a friend or family member considering a pet). Mugsy 🐕 - pictured below - will thank you (and will be available for adoption in two days at the Muskoka Animal Centre in Bracebridge).

This guy. Totally pushy with his puppy eyes. Made me giggle all day. Loved having him as an officemate during a work day at the Midland Animal Centre. 100 lbs of cuddly adorable. 🥰🥰🥰

An excellent read to dispel a common myth I hear daily. Housing insecurity is a crisis that is impacting pets too. To lose a family member, while losing the security and safety of your home, is truly unthinkable. Lately I have been spending time with the incredible team at the Muskoka Animal Centre witnessing first hand the distress from pet parents as they tearfully part from their beloved pets. Wherever possible, we offer resources to prevent surrender, however the reality is we are often too late, with not enough to offer. So let's start with the facts, dispel the myths and focus on solutions that keep families together.