Merger to Enhance Services, Expand Programs, and Amplify Northern Voices in Animal Care

THUNDER BAY, ON – In a move set to enhance animal welfare services across Thunder Bay and Northern Ontario, the Thunder Bay & District Humane Society (TBDHS) has announced it will be joining forces with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, marking a new chapter in the organizations’ decades-long partnership.

The merger will see TBDHS integrate fully with the Ontario SPCA by January 2026, enabling the local team to maintain its dedicated staff and volunteers while gaining access to expanded provincial resources, administrative support, and program development opportunities.

“This is a significant and meaningful milestone for the Thunder Bay & District Humane Society and for the animals and people we serve in our community,” said Shawna Beaulieu, Executive Director of TBDHS. “We are excited about the future and the additional resources this will bring to our region.”

Commitment to Northern Communities and Voices

In recognition of the unique challenges and needs of animal welfare in the North, the Ontario SPCA has confirmed that TBDHS will continue to have strong representation at the provincial level.

• TBDHS Board Directors Ryan Venn and Derek Noyes will now sit on the Ontario SPCA Board of Directors, ensuring Northern Ontario communities have a voice in shaping programs and policies.

• The Ontario SPCA Board will govern both organizations until the formal merger is finalized.

“This is about ensuring that Northern voices continue to guide the care and programs that matter most to our communities,” said Chris Bliznikas, President & Chair of TBDHS Board of Directors. “We’re proud to lead the Society into this next chapter of service and collaboration.”

Building on Longstanding Collaboration

The merger builds on years of joint efforts between TBDHS, the Ontario SPCA, First Nations communities, and local rescues, which have included:

• Providing emergency food and pet supplies.

• Operating mobile spay/neuter and wellness clinics in remote communities.

• Relocating animals for adoption across Ontario.

• Supporting community-driven animal management strategies.

“The Thunder Bay team and their volunteers have done an incredible job caring for animals and supporting the people who care for them,” said Renata D’Innocenzo, Chair of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Board of Directors. “We’re proud to be working together to strengthen and expand these services.”

This merger marks an important step forward in ensuring sustainable, regionally informed animal welfare services across Northwestern Ontario and beyond.