The Times of COVID are Changing and the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA is Getting Ready.

Hamilton, ON (Thursday May 14, 2020) – The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA is readying new ways of work as Ontario communities open up for services and business.

“The Premier stated today that businesses should open only if they are ready,” stresses Marion Emo, CEO. “and we are getting ready. The health of our Staff is a priority, as is the safety of the public we serve. We are confident too that our donors who have supported the animals generously these last two months expect no less of the charity they support”.

For the next while, the HBSPCA will remain closed to the public. Service to community continues as it has for several weeks given the HBSPCA has been a priority service. These services include  Receiving animals at risk identified by Provincial Inspectors and as asked.  Receiving animals requiring emergency care.  Receiving emergency surrenders and surrenders of animals otherwise at risk for neglect and abandonment.  Supporting pets and their families with end of life support to alleviate pain, distress, and discomfort at the end of life.  Offering compassionate boarding for pets belonging to persons who might be hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment and for whom there are no pet care alternatives.  Providing no contact adoptions for pet companions ready for their forever home.  Supporting our customers with telemedicine support and pet behavioural advice to keep people and pets together.

The HBSPCA has already started working on a post COVID-19 Emergency State recovery plan guided by distancing and other directives of local and Provincial public health authorities. The HBSPCA is ensuring a robust supply of personal protective equipment, re-assessing patient flow in the Companion Animal Hospital, and changing up staff and public flow pathways in the building. Protective barriers are being installed in the hospital and adoption center. Web cams will enable meaningful staff meetings without face-to-face gatherings for the time being. Classes, clinics and fundraisers will resume only when it is safe for the public to gather in numbers greater than 5 persons.

“There is no time like the present to make changes that may have been contemplated and are now demonstrated to work well.” M. Emo goes on to say. “For instance, no contact adoptions
P. (905) 574-7722 | W. www.hbspca.com | E. info@hbspca.com 245 Dartnall Road, Hamilton, Ontario L8W 3V9

will be a feature of our service going forward. They will not replace on site adoptions; however, the outcomes have been positive for both adopters and re-homed pets”.

“We are exceptionally grateful for the support of our donors especially since the advent of the COVID-19. Donors are supporting innovative service, new service, and the requisites for safe service, all to advance a humane community, at all times. And for this we sincerely thank them”.

To learn about access to programs, including spay/neuter surgery, our new online e-boutique, online dog obedience classes and no contact adoption, please message info@hbspca.com or visit our website at www.hbspca.com

Media Contact: Marion Emo, CEO. 905-574-7722 ext. 310

About the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA: The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA) keeps people and pets together, helps pet owners be the pet parents they want to be and rehomes neglected and abandoned animals for second chance lives. Activities include, among others, education, pet visiting for people’s well-being, low cost spay neuter services, and pet companion health checks and surgeries for pets belonging to some of the most vulnerable citizens in our community and for whom their pet is their best or only friend. We invite you to check out the miracles that happen every day at www.hbspca.com Charitable Registration # 11923 6750 RR0001.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

No Pet Left Behind in the Times of COVID-19

Hamilton/Burlington SPCA and Zachary’s Paws for Healing open for Compassionate Boarding

Hamilton, ON (April 16, 2020) – The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA) and Zachary’s PAWS for Healing (ZPFH) will care for pets belonging to persons hospitalized for treatment related to coronavirus.

There may be persons hospitalized for treatment who do not have alternatives for pet care while in hospital. “Pets are family members, and this approach prevents pet surrender, relieves anxiety about care, and gives hope to pet parents”, says Marion Emo, CEO. “Working together with Zachary’s PAWS for Healing, we know that pets are people’s best friends and sometimes only friend.  Offering compassionate boarding for persons experiencing the coronavirus is the right thing to do”.

The compassionate boarding program provides up to 14 days of boarding at the HBSPCA on Dartnall and with ZPFH depending on the space available and animals’ circumstances. Pets may include cats, dogs, small critters and small birds.

“We don’t know yet what the need will be for compassionate boarding”, says Donna Jenkins, Founder of ZPFH. “Caring for pets when pet parents fall ill is important. We’re ready as usual and can be counted on to help patients’ pets.”

As always, pet families are encouraged to make plans for pet care in the event of absence from home, with for instance friends, families or neighbours. Sometimes this is not possible. Referrals to the compassionate boarding program can be made by health care staff to Michelle Macnab at mmacnab@hbspca.com and Brian Judson at 289-682-3171.

“We are very grateful to our supporters for compassionate boarding”, Marion Emo goes on to say. “PetSmart Charities of Canada® has provided an emergency grant to help board pets in need who belong to clients of our Community Veterinary Outreach Program. And Royal Canin has donated food to help feed pet companions in care”.

Learn about the program and how you can prepare for compassionate boarding at /services/covid-19-emergency-preparedness/

Media Contact: Marion Emo, CEO at memo@hbspca.com or 905-574-7722 ext. 310.

About the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA

The Hamilton/Burlington Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (HBSPCA) is animal focused and donor based. The HBSPCA is committed to thriving animals, thriving pet families and thriving communities. With donor support and community partners, we are making progress keeping people and pets together, helping pet owners be the pet parents they want to be, and helping animals thrive in care on the way to their second chance homes. We invite you to check out the miracles that happen every day at www.hbspca.com
Charitable registration # 11923 6750 RR0001
The Community Veterinary Outreach Program is supported by a partnership with Community Veterinary Outreach www.vetoutreach.org

About Zachary’s PAWS for Healing

Zachary’s Paws for Healing is the only organization in Canada that provides specialized services to hospitals and their patients.  For the past five years, we have provided patients with visits with their own companion pets in hospital to relieve the stress and isolation they feel when separated.  We have fostered over 1600 patients’ pets that had no one to care for them while their human received much needed hospital care.  We also provide therapeutic animals for patients and staff at our Hamilton hospitals helping to rehabilitate patients and provide stress relief to the medical staff.  Through private donations and our corporate partners, we have provided this essential service to the Southern Ontario community.  For more information about our great work, please go to www.zacharyspawsforhealing.com
Charitable registration # 766701494RR0001