Media Release by the OSPCA - NEWMARKET (November 11, 2008) -

It’s the story within the story and it’s getting a lot of attention worldwide. Which breed of puppy will become the “First Dog” of the United States of America? President-elect Barack Obama has already stated that his family plans to adopt a dog from a rescue shelter and that’s “music to the ears of animal welfare experts all over North America, and in fact, the world,” says Christa Chadwick, Director of Animal Care for the Ontario SPCA. It speaks to the growing social awareness of the need to put puppy mills and backyard breeders out of business and to assist local non-profit shelters.

When President-elect Obama made reference to the adoption of a family puppy in his victory speech, he endorsed the idea of pet adoption, and that is resulting in a tremendous increase in the number of people contacting Ontario SPCA Community adoption centres to adopt a forever friend and to ask the important questions about pet adoption and care.

Those questions should include:

Ø Can you meet the needs of the animal you wish to adopt?  Ø Are you aware of the costs involved in caring for this animal?  Ø Does your lifestyle fit the lifestyle of this animal?  Am I familiar with the demands of this breed and can my family meet those challenges?  Am I prepared to walk this dog at least one hour per day?  Will I work with a trainer or do my own research to teach my dog the skills it will need to understand my commands?  Do I recognize that dogs needs exercise, rules and affection but that dog training should always be fun, firm but fair?

The Ontario SPCA, representing over 50 Communities province-wide, is promoting the holiday season as the time to adopt a “forever” pet. Through a specially developed program called Home 4 the Holidays (H4TH), the Ontario SPCA is telling Ontarians that it’s okay to adopt a pet during the busy holiday season. In the past, the thinking was that it was too stressful a time for both the pet and their new family, but “research has shown that families are actually better equipped to manage the arrival of a new pet during the holidays, and to spend the quality time required to ensure a successful adoption,” says Chadwick. H4TH’s goal this holiday season is to find one million animals loving homes; the Ontario SPCA has joined the campaign to assist in this lifesaving effort.

“The ‘Obama Factor’ has been a key driver in adoptions already this holiday season,” says Ontario SPCA CEO Kate MacDonald. “It has inspired more Ontarians to look into the benefits of pet adoption for both people and pets!”