News

Every August, backpacks come out, pencil cases get restocked, and families settle back into routines. It turns out this "back to school" energy is a great excuse to think about training too, not just for puppies and kittens, but for pets of every age. Whether you brought home an eight-week-old puppy last spring or adopted a gray-muzzled senior last month, training is one of the kindest, most bonding things you can do together.

Every summer, something remarkable happens inside the walls of the Humane Society of Greater Niagara. The days get longer, the temperatures rise, and so does the number of animals who need us most.

Bringing home a new pet is exciting, heartwarming, and sometimes a little overwhelming, for both you and your new companion. Whether you’re adopting a playful kitten, a nervous rescue dog, a senior cat, or a pet who has never lived in a home before, the first few days, weeks, and months are all about patience, trust, and helping them feel safe.

Every animal who comes through the doors at the Humane Society of Greater Niagara has a story.

Some arrive frightened and unsure, needing a safe place to rest. Some need food, warmth, and medical care after being found lost or abandoned. Others, like Jacob, remind us just how urgent this work can be.

As the snow melts and temperatures rise across Niagara, many pet owners are eager to get back outside with their furry companions. But with warmer weather comes an increase in fleas and ticks, two tiny pests that can cause big health issues for pets and even their families.

As the weather begins to warm up, animal shelters across Canada prepare for one of the busiest times of the year: kitten season. Typically running from early spring through late fall, this is the period when unspayed female cats give birth at much higher rates. For shelters like ours, this seasonal surge can mean an overwhelming influx of kittens and nursing mother cats in need of care.

February is World Spay Month, a time to raise awareness about the life-saving impact of spaying and neutering pets. Whether you're a new pet guardian or an experienced one, understanding why these procedures matter can make a powerful difference for your pet, your community, and animal welfare across Canada. 

Winter in Niagara brings snow-covered sidewalks, freezing temperatures, and shorter days, all of which can create unique challenges for pets and the people who love them. Whether you’re caring for a dog, cat, or small animal, understanding how winter weather affects their health and safety is a key part of responsible pet ownership. 

At the Humane Society of Greater Niagara (HSGN), winter is one of our busiest seasons. From helping stray animals find warmth to educating the community on seasonal pet care, we know that a little preparation can go a long way. Here’s what every pet owner should know to keep animals safe, warm, and healthy throughout the colder months.

When we think of homelessness or housing insecurity, we often picture a person searching for a safe place to sleep. But this complex issue affects more than just people—it deeply impacts their animal companions, too. Pets are often the overlooked victims of housing instability, caught in the painful space between the need for shelter and the unbreakable bond they share with their owners. As a Niagara humane society, the Humane Society of Greater Niagara recognizes how vital it is to keep families—both human and animal—together. In this blog, we’ll explore the unique challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness who have pets, and highlight how animal welfare organizations and community programs can help ensure that no one is forced to choose between a roof over their head and the companion they love. 

City of St. Catharines and Humane Society of Greater Niagara Encourage Coexistence with Wild Turkeys in Martindale Road Area

St. Catharines, ON — November 7, 2025