During a recent puppy mill investigation in Huron County, 125 dogs were removed.

Ontario SPCA Inspector Carol Vanderheide writes...
"At the most, he was just a few days old. A tiny little puppy, laying in the dirt next to his mother. Cold and barely moving. I immediately scooped him up and started briskly rubbing him down, trying to get his blood circulating, and then I did the only thing I could - I tucked him into my shirt to keep him warm. Once we had all the dogs loaded up into the waiting trucks, I tucked the little puppy back in with his mommy for the two hour drive to the nearest shelter.
The puppy died on the drive to the shelter.

As much as it breaks my heart to lose any animal, we rescued 125 other dogs that day. We got them all out of a really horrible situation and these puppies and dogs are going to go on to be adopted throughout our communities in Ontario and have a second chance at a new forever home."

Jersey came from this puppy mill removal with 6 newborn pups ... Norman being one of them. Throughout their stay at the Midland Branch, we have treated all of them for mange. Jersey has finally become socialized and is now available for adoption. Norman has had surgery twice now for entropia (a medical condition where the eyelids fold inward. Untreated it is very painful and would cause eventual blindness).

A Grass-Roots Foundation

The Midland & District Branch began as the dream of a handful of concerned community members who wanted animals in the area to have a humane organization to help protect them from abuse and neglect. This concerned group was initially formed in 1963 as the Midland Auxiliary of the Ontario SPCA with the goal of raising funds for the Society's provincial initiatives. Soon after, the Auxiliary realized they wanted to formally become an Ontario SPCA branch and provide investigative and sheltering services for the Midland area.

In 1965, after two years of hard work and showing that a branch was viable in the community, the Midland Auxiliary became a branch of the Society, with an inspector appointed to the area.

Sadly, On August 3, 2006 the shelter was destroyed in a fire caused by a lightening strike. Due to the incredible efforts of firefighters and Ontario SPCA staff and volunteers, over 30 cats, kittens, dogs and puppies were saved from the fire. But, unfortunately, 29 animals were lost in the tragedy. Three cats, one kitten, two puppies and four adult dogs were treated for smoke inhalation and/or burns at the Heritage Animal Hospital in Midland. Sadly, four of the animals who initially survived the fire later succumbed to their injuries.

The Ontario SPCA Board of Directors quickly passed a resolution to rebuild the shelter and the Branch hopes to open its doors to animals by the end of May 2008.

A tremendous amount of commitment and dedication went into the formation of the Midland & District Branch. While we lost the physical structure that was the Branch, we did not lose the spirit that went into its making. The heart and soul of every donor, volunteer and staff member who has been involved with the Branch is reflected in the love and care we provide to the animals.

No fire can destroy that.

Visit our office!
15979 Highway 12 East, R.R. #1 Port McNicoll, ON L0K 1R0

Give us a call!
Phone: (705) 534-4459
Fax: (705) 534-4745
Email: midland@ospca.on.ca

Office Hours
Monday - Saturday
11 am to 5 pm
- Adoption center 1pm to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 2pm
- Closed on statutory holidays

Come visit our satellite adoption centre located in Pet Valu and meet an adoptable cat or kittens!

Pet Valu
(Huronia Mall)
9225 Highway 93
Midland, Ontario L4R 4K5