Column by Charmaine Brett published in the Toronto Sun on Oct. 30, 2025
Over the past week, I have been visiting many of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s 14 animal centres across the province. At each stop, I met families, staff, and volunteers who share a common love: the bond between people and their pets. These visits were inspiring, but they also highlighted the challenges families are facing. Access to veterinary care, something many once counted on, is becoming harder for a growing number of Ontarians.
Household budgets remain stretched thin in the wake of COVID-19. Families are still coping with higher living costs, rising interest rates, and economic uncertainty. Veterinary care has not been immune to these pressures. Tariffs and inflation have pushed up the cost of supplies, which in turn has led to higher clinic fees. For many families, even basic services such as vaccines, spay and neuter surgeries, or dental care now feel out of reach.
The result is a difficult reality for pet owners. In Renfrew County, families often drive hours to Ottawa for even the most routine care. In Orillia and Barrie, many parents say they cannot manage private clinic fees. In Durham, our centres hear daily from community members who are worried about how to afford basic wellness care for their pets. These are not isolated examples. They reflect the situation in both rural and urban communities across Ontario.
The pandemic saw many people welcome new pets into their homes, finding comfort and connection during a time of isolation. While this brought joy, it also increased demand for veterinary care at a time when costs have been rising. For families living on limited incomes or in areas with few veterinary options, access to care is now a serious barrier.
At the Ontario SPCA, we believe pets belong with the families who love them. Families should not have to choose between paying their bills and caring for their animals. That is why we are working to expand access to care through affordable spay and neuter and wellness services, mobile and pop-up clinics in underserved regions, and partnerships with communities to strengthen preventive care. These efforts help keep pets healthy, prevent unnecessary surrenders, and support family and community well-being.
In the coming weeks, I will continue visiting our centres to listen to families, learn from our dedicated staff and volunteers, and see first-hand the creative ways communities are responding to these challenges. Their commitment gives me confidence that together we can make a real difference.
The path forward is clear. By working collaboratively with families, communities, and partners, we can reimagine what access to veterinary care looks like in Ontario. We can build a system where geography and income are no longer barriers, and where people and pets are able to stay where they belong – together.
Charmaine Brett is President and CEO of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
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