THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society and the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society are merging to enhance support for animals across the Thunder Bay District and Northern Ontario.
The local human society;s financial situation is healthy, said executive director Shawna Beaulieu, and the merger will strengthen and grow animal welfare programs and community support services in the region.
With the merger, humane society staff and volunteers will gain access to provincial resources and administrative support through the Ontario SPCA.
“A lot of great resources coming our way with the merger in place. There'll be resources for staff, so additional training. There will be programs that will be expanded. We are looking at increasing our pet food distribution and more access to care for the animals that we serve to have better outlets for animals for adoption,” Beaulieu told Newswatch in an interview.
“We're going to be working in a network with over 12 centres instead of one. So that movement, now that adoptions are quite a bit slower to be able to transfer animals and have them adopted quicker. It's a great opportunity.”
Beaulieu said the partnership with Ontario SPAC allows the humane society to expand its organizational structure.
“Our staff is being more supported, so having departments that, as a small organization, we haven't had in the past. Having a fundraising department, a marketing department, a finance department, a facilities department, these are all things that the merger will help us with, and it will be good for the north as a whole,” said Beaulieu.
She said the humane society will operate in the same building, and has no intention of changing its name.
“We will stay at our Rosslyn Road location, and donations given will still be in support of the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society,” said Beaulieu.
Humane society board directors Ryan Venn and Derek Noyes will serve on the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society's board of directors.
“The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society staff and volunteers are doing a wonderful job providing care and resources to the animals of the Thunder Bay District. The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is pleased to work together to offer support to leverage and continue expanding their programs and community support services,” said Renata D'Innocenzo, Chair of Ontario SPCA and Humane Society board of directors, in a release.
The Ontario SPCA Board will govern both organizations until the merger is finalized in January 2026.
