Ontario SPCA Conference reaches record-breaking attendance numbers

Kate MacDonald
InfoStream Guest Author 

The Ontario SPCA Animal Welfare Educational Conference 2014 was our most successful conference to date thanks to our speakers and participants - and we thank you for attending!

Prior to the conference starting, the Ontario SPCA held its Annual General Meeting.

We are pleased to announce that the Board of Directors includes:

Catherine MacNeill (Chair), Kari Wilson (Vice Chair), Rita Middleton (Treasurer), Judy Decicco (Secretary), Isaac Breadner, Heather Caird, Ann Davidson, Craig Gagliano, Stewart Hill, Ron Hunt, Linda Morgan and Chris White.

With record breaking numbers of over 270 in attendance, this year’s conference was met with overwhelming contributions and experts in Animal Welfare.

The theme was “The Business of Saving Lives”. We asked a few of our delegates to share with us why they do what they do everyday. Here is a short video to see what they said: http://youtu.be/XbcVZ312MOU

We heard from close to 30 external speakers and hosted guests from over 70 agencies and organizations from all over North America; we even hosted a delegate from the RSPCA in the UK!

On Monday afternoon, delegates had the rare privilege of hearing from former FBI profiler, John Douglas and experienced a meet and greet book signing following the session. Mr. Douglas reiterated the link between animal abuse and serial killers, confirming our work is invaluable to policing across the province. We were pleased to have in attendance representation from Toronto Police Services, York Regional Police, OPP – St. Thomas, Rama Police, Niagara Regional Police, and Aylmer Police.

On Monday evening, we celebrated just a few of the many success stories from across the province. Traditionally we have profiled these successes through a video that we share with our delegates. However, this year we had so much to share we were pleased to create two videos to showcase.  We invite you to view the Celebration Videos here:

Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Community Celebration VIDEO  part 1

Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Community Celebration VIDEO  part 2

We want to thank everyone for their contributions to this year’s event! Plans are already underway for next year’s conference. With all the exciting goals being met in Animal Welfare across the province, we believe next year’s conference will be invaluable to our Communities and partners in Animal Welfare.

Ontario announces $5.5 million in annual funding to strengthen protection for animals

Madeleine Meilleur

The Ontario Government announced today it is strengthening protection for animals through regular inspections of zoos and aquariums, by boosting enforcement of animals of animal welfare laws, cracking down on puppy and kitten mills and enhancing standards of care for marine mammals.

The Ontario SPCA and its communities will receive enhanced government support for work in enforcing Animal Welfare legislation, preventing animal cruelty and protecting animals.

"Our government cares deeply for the well-being of animals wherever they live in this province," said Madeleine Meilleur, Ministry of Community Safety and Correction Services. "These measures strengthen the enforcement of animal welfare laws in under-serviced areas, dedicate resources to specific areas of concern . . . and will set new standards of care for marine mammals." 

"The $5.5 million in annual funding and broadened scope of responsibilities speaks to the importance of Animal Welfare in our province and the essential need for the animal protection services of the Ontario SPCA communities," said Kate MacDonald, Ontario SPCA Chief Executive Officer. 

The Ontario SPCA and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services are working together to provide enhanced protection of animals and service to communities through new and expanded programs across the province including a special squad for unusual or lengthy investigations, a provincial zoo and aquarium registry and increased resources for northern and First Nations communities. 

READ THE NEWS RELEASE

OSPCA welcomes new Chief Veterinary Officer

Photo Credit

Ontario SPCA Chief Executive Officer Kate MacDonald announced yesterday the organization has officially enlisted Dr. Magdalena Smrdelj for the position of Chief Veterinary Officer.

Dr. Smrdelj has held various positions within the Ontario SPCA since 2009, until recently, she held the position of acting Chief Veterinary Officer. In addition, Smrdelj has worked as a veterinarian with both the Newmarket Spay Neuter Clinic and the companion animal hospital at the Provincial Education and Animal Centre. According to McDonald, Dr. Smrdelj was instrumental in overseeing the medical aspects of the organization's first spay/neuter operation in Ontario. 

Ontario SPCA and College Boreal sign Landmark Agreement

Kate MacDonald and Denis Hubert-Dutrisac signing agreement

Ms. Kate MacDonald, CEO, Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario SPCA), and Mr. Denis Hubert-Dutrisac, President of Collège Boréal, announced an innovative new partnership that may be a model for the rest of North America. The announcement was made in conjunction with the official opening of the new veterinary wing of the Collège Boréal’ Sudbury campus. Thanks to this partnership with the Ontario SPCA, Collège Boréal has become the first Canadian college to teach shelter medicine.

The Ontario SPCA and Collège Boréal will create a new Sudbury and District Ontario SPCA Shelter and Educational Centre, as well as jointly utilizing Collège Boréal’s new veterinary wing. This 5,000 square-foot space is equipped with the latest innovations in animal medicine: digital radiography, a ventilation system adaptable to different species, a cutting-edge operating room, a complete animal dentistry section, and isolation units.

The five-year partnership is expected to allow students in the Collège Boréal Veterinary Technician program to benefit from the Ontario SPCA’s expertise (sharing manuals, protocols, etc.) and to deepen their theoretical and practical knowledge while preparing for internships, volunteer and work opportunities through the Ontario SPCA network.

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OSPCA teams up with IAMS H4tH Campaign

For the fourth year, the Ontario SPCA has teamed up with thousands of animal organizations around the world to participate in the annual Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption campaign. 

Nearly 300,000 animals have been adopted since the campaign kicked off 1 October 2012 and participating organizations believe this year will break records. 

"We are thrilled to be participating again this year," said Alison Cross, senior manager, Marketing and Communications with the OSPCA. "Each and every day the Ontario SPCA staff work very hard to find homes for orphaned animals. The Iams H4tH program is a great initiative that helps us find more of those forever homes. We are pleased to say that with the help of the Iams H4tH program in 2011, our OSPCA branches found homes for over 7,000 pets."  

The OSPCA will participate  from 1 November 2012 to 2 January 2013.

Kate MacDonald to speak during Summit Session II: Animal Humane & Rescue

There's no denying the changes taking place in the companion animal industry. Agencies, organizations and individuals are adopting a forward thinking attitude to ensure the future of the industry keeps pace with the evolving market and ever-changing sector. 

So, what does a social future reveal for Humane/Rescue? Are new enterprise models required to achieve sustainability? Will bequests, bake sales, barbecues and adoptions fund humane and rescue activities? What new roles are on the horizon? 

These questions and many more will be answered during Session II at the 2012 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS) in October when Ontario SPCA chief executive officer, Kate MacDonald, and the OSPCA team share their thinking, new models and the success they have in the communities they serve across Canada’s most populace province.

REGISTER FOR THE 2012 ISUAS

VIEW SUMMIT AGENDA

Get the Facts, Have YourSAY™, Move the industry

Industry - Organizations join forces to rescue orphaned dogs

Last week, the companion animal and law enforcement industries mourned the loss of RCMP peace officer Rod Lazenby who was killed in the line of duty while investigating a dog-related call at a ranch near Priddis, Alberta. 

This week, two Alberta animal rescue organizations are joining together to re-home and care for 18 cattle dogs seized at the ranch after their owner was arrested in the death of the officer.

Kate MacDonald, chief executive officer at the Ontario SPCA, places her emphasis on focusing the organization's cultural vision to concentrate on collaborative service delivery and establishing strategic alliances.  

MacDonald is pleased with the collaborative efforts made by the Alberta rescue groups by pooling their resources and putting the welfare of these dogs before their individual needs. 

"We are heartened to see Animal Welfare organizations across Alberta pull together to rescue 18 dogs recently removed from a ranch," said MacDonald.
"Every time we make the effort to support each other, we enhance the level of care we can extend to animals. Congratulations to everyone who participated in the rescue efforts."

Donations are currently being accepted to cover the cost of spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations and treatment for parasites. To make a donation, visit: 

ALBERTA ANIMAL RESCUE CREW SOCIETY

POUND RESCUE, OKOTOKS ALBERTA

Kate MacDonald on National Collaboration

The 'new economy' with its developing 'online marketplace' challenges our industry to maximize outcomes through collaborative activities.

Learning how to disagree in industry, so that all service providers perform for the pet families and the communities they serve, is challenging.  Kate MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer at the Ontario SPCA, will share experiences and collaborative activities that have had a dynamic impact in the province of Ontario.

Kate intends that participants at the 2012 Regional Summits, learn how to maximize impact for animals and communities through collaboration.

Discover:

• What collaboration is
• How the collaborative process works
• Examples of collaboration and the synergies
• Topics and a network for future collaborations:
• Education (developing culture and expectations)
• Community services (interventions like shelter, rescue, spay/neuter, relinquishment, palliative and benevolent health)
• Cruelty investigations/prosecutions
• Pet Family services (behaviour assessment, socialization and recreation)

Building a national conversation on collaboration with all industry thought leaders will benefit communities across Canada. 

Summit Registration   


Get the Facts, Have YourSAY™, Move the industry


There may be Iams or Petsecure $100 vouchers still available, contact Judi Cannon if you need assistance:
1.705.749.6607 or Judi.cannon@petlynxmail.com

 

Introducing Kate MacDonald, CEO, Ontario SPCA

Kate MacDonald 

Chief Executive Officer   
Ontario SPCA

Kate MacDonald has 25 years experience in the non-profit sector, specializing in strategic planning, capital campaign management, financial analysis, non-profit administration and donor relations.

Currently, Kate serves as Chief Executive Officer for the Ontario SPCA, supporting over 50 active communities across Ontario. Kate’s main emphasis is on re-focusing the organization’s cultural vision to concentrate on collaborative service delivery, including establishing strategic alliances, strengthening brand recognition and developing province-wide fund development programs.  Since joining the Ontario SPCA in 2007, the organization has achieved the strongest financial position in recent history, has strengthened provincial legislation with the first substantive change in 90 years, and has introduced the first high-volume spay/neuter services in the province, along with the award winning public service campaign FixYourPet.ca.

Kate is proud of the contributions she has made to organizations including United Way, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Canadian Living Foundation, the Hospice Palliative Care Network and the Sunnybrook Foundation.

Kate is an active volunteer nationally and within her rural community, has taught fundraising at Mount Royal College and is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.