In 2022, SPCA Baccalieu Trail in Newfoundland opened their first shelter facility. It was a big moment for the organization which had, for 11 years, been relying on fosters to take in local animals who needed temporary homes. The shelter acts as a safe haven for cats and dogs looking for their forever families, and provides these shelter animals with medical care and training exercises. “We want to see pets living their best lives and we want to help find families to provide that for them,” says Brittney Szucs, the SPCA’s Shelter Manager. “The donations that we receive from Pet Valu and Pet Valu customers really help us take care of the animals at the shelter.” Szucs explains that there are some pets who spend a long time at the shelter, making support from donors like Pet Valu critical. “We've had animals stay here for over a year, waiting to find their forever families. And it's sad to see when they're overlooked. Sometimes their perfect match shows up even after they've been waiting for a year. And it's just amazing to see an animal go from being unwanted to the centre of this person's world.” From pet food to toys to cat litter, Pet Valu supports the shelter’s work by supplying them with essential products that make their operation possible. The SPCA also partners with Pet Valu stores to host pet adoptions. “One of the best parts about partnering with Pet Valu has been gaining more of a community feel,” says Szucs. “When we go to Pet Valu for adoption events, or to pick up donations, it feels like we're meeting friends.” In addition to shelter services, the SPCA runs a thrift shop, operates regular fundraising recycling drives, distributes free pet parent education materials, and supports their local pet parent community with low-cost spay and neuter programs that help to manage the pet population and decreases the number of pets who are struggling to find homes. “One of the programs that we offer is ‘PetFix’ and we also offer one called the ‘Why Litter?’ program,” Szucs says. “PetFix reduces the cost for our spay and neuter procedures and the Why Litter? program helps to find homes for kittens and also to get the mom cat spayed so she can stay with her family.” Keeping pets together with their families is a priority for the SPCA Baccalieu Trail and they direct much of their resources towards this goal. “I love to help people be able to keep their pets. These are difficult times to be in but we can provide support and education for people,” Szucs says. “I love for people to take advantage of our PetFix program to help spay and neuter their pets to reduce the pet population. And I'd love to see every single year more and more animals being adopted from the shelter.”
Meet the Ontario SPCA, a Pet Valu Companions for Change supported charity
Much of the Ontario SPCA's animal welfare work is geared towards keeping pets with their families — avoiding pets being given up because of financial challenges
Meet Parachutes for Pets, a Pet Valu Companions for Change supported charity
Parachutes for Pets offers Calgary pet parents access to a free pet food bank, assistance with vet care via a free monthly clinic, education and support classes
Meet Rabbitats, a Pet Valu Companions for Change™ supported charity
Rabbitats is a rabbit rescue organization that facilitates the building of habitats for colonies of rabbits, who have been abandoned, and are in need of homes.
Meet the Nova Scotia SPCA, a Pet Valu Companions for Change supported charity
The oldest animal welfare organization in Canada, the Nova Scotia SPCA provides shelter services, a college of animal welfare and nonprofit veterinary hospitals
Meet the North Bay and District Humane Society, a Pet Valu Companions for Change supported charity
The North Bay and District Humane Society offers pet adoption services, pet food banks, low-cost spaying and neutering programs, and facilitates provincial animal transfers.
Meet the Regional Animal Protection Society, a Pet Valu Companions for Change™ supported charity
RAPS is a multi-faceted animal rescue organization with an education and adoption centre, a pet fostering network, and one of Canada's largest cat sanctuaries.
Meet the Canadian Animal Task Force, a Pet Valu Companions for Change™ supported charity
The Canadian Animal Task Force hosts large-scale wellness clinics that offer pets spay and neutering services, along with vaccinations and deworming treatments.
Meet the Edmonton Humane Society, a Pet Valu Companions for Change supported charity
The Edmonton Humane Society provides expansive animal shelter services to pets in their area but community engagement and support are growing areas of focus too
Meet the Winnipeg Humane Society, a Pet Valu Companions for Change supported charity
The Winnipeg Humane Society advocates for animals all across Manitoba and undertakes animal welfare work that extends far beyond the scope of a typical shelter.
Meet the Victoria Humane Society, a Pet Valu Companions for Change supported charity
Based in Southern BC, the Victoria Humane Society’s work extends well beyond the city as they support pets in need in remote communities throughout the province
