The Niagara SPCA and Humane Society based out of Welland is one of eight animal shelters across Canada that received a grant to help dogs find their forever homes.

As  pet shelters grapple with a rise in surrenders and resource constraints, the PEDIGREE Foundation just announced the launch of its Canadian Grant Program, its first-ever annual program in Canada designed to help end pet homelessness.

PEDIGREE Foundation is committing $100,000 through its Canadian Grant program to help end pet homelessness.

When the foundation unveiled the eight inaugural recipients from across Canada for the 2022-2023 program year, all of whom have been selected based on their support for programs that help find dogs loving homes, the Niagara SPCA and Humane Society was on the list.

“We are greatly appreciative for the generous grant from the PEDIGREE Foundation. The support they have provided will go towards helping 188 dogs from northern communities through our Pet Relocation Program and find them their forever home in Niagara,” says John Greer, Executive Director of the Niagara SPCA and Humane Society.

Debra Fair, Executive Director of the PEDIGREE Foundation says the group knows firsthand from their work with shelters and rescues that support is needed now more than ever.

“Length of stay is increasing for dogs at shelters, and our expansion of programs for the first time outside the U.S. to Canada is a critical first step in addressing the growing shelter crisis across North America,” said Fair.

“We are proud to be able to provide support for Canadian shelters who are working tirelessly to help find every dog the loving home they deserve, in the face of increasingly difficult conditions.”

Others Canadian shelters who will receive the 2022-2023 grand funding are: