Thunder Bay humane society, Ontario SPCA merge to enhance support for animals and their owners
Ontario SPCA board will govern both organizations until merger is finalized in January 2026
The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society (TBDHS) is teaming up with the Ontario SPCA and humane society to enhance support for animals and the people who care for them.
TBDHS director Shawna Beaulieu said the "exciting changes" being made are "all about strengthening and growing animal welfare programs and community services that we already offer."
Beaulieu said the merger will result in more resources in the north, improved food distribution, more access to veterinary care for animals, humane education programs for children, and opening up more opportunities for animals to get adopted through transferring to different centres.
"It's important … because of the lack of resources that we have here in the north. This is just going to give us that access so that way, we can expand on what we're doing," Beaulieu said.
"With the growing need, the shortage in veterinary care we have here, the increase in surrender requests, that's why it's really important to start ramping up what we're doing, and these kinds of collaborations is really what it's all about."
TBDHS will continue to operate from its current location on Rosslyn Road with the same staff and volunteers, and there's no change to its name, Beaulieu said. The Ontario SPCA board will govern both organizations until the merger is finalized in January 2026.
"What you can expect is more programs, more services, and possibly some more animals in our care," Beaulieu said.
'Greater impact on pets and people'
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society says it is pleased to work with the local humane society to offer support to leverage and continue expanding their programs and community support services.
Sonya Reichel, vice-president of shelter operations at the OSPCA, said the two organizations have worked together for many years, with the relationship strengthening over the last year.
"This merger will mean that we'll continue to be able to work collaboratively together and really enhance the services that are being offered across northern Ontario and and of course in Thunder Bay itself," Reichel told CBC News.
"When we collaborate, when we pool resources, we will make a greater impact on pets and people in the community. So, as we work through this, we'll be looking at opportunities to expand some of the resources we provide to the communities in which we have animal centres currently into this community."
The merger will see two TBDHS board directors — Ryan Venn and Derek Noyes — serving on the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society board of directors.
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With files from Sarah Law