“Absolutely heartbreaking” is how volunteer Cheryl Chiarelli describes the rise in abandoned animals across Niagara.
A Niagara-on-the-Lake Christmas fundraiser is helping local shelters cope with a surge in abandoned pets driven by rising costs that many owners can no longer manage.
Community Initiative for Animal Rescue held its sixth annual Christmas Animal Fundraiser on Nov. 29 and 30, raising money for the Humane Society of Greater Niagara and the Niagara SPCA.
The animal welfare volunteer group raises money and then passes it to rescues facing emergency vet bills. The sale offered holiday hanging baskets and porch planters, plus baked goods, preserves and chocolates.
“There is a public misconception that the humane societies are government-funded. Animal control is, but sheltering, neutering, spaying, surrenders and abandonments are all by public donation,” said Tanya Rice, Community Initiative for Animal Rescue co-founder and host of the fundraiser.
Rice and volunteers prepared about 100 greenery arrangements for the sale. They also baked tea biscuits, cookie trays, banana pumpkin bread and chocolates for shoppers.
At the Humane Society of Greater Niagara, the money will support medical care, food and supplies. Staff member Brianna Dingman said the shelter has close to 150 dogs in care, along with many cats.
“We had over 20 cats that were left tied up in boxes in our parking lot. It is just constant animals coming in that need help,” said Dingman.
Dingman, who has worked at the shelter for 11 years, said calls about cruelty, neglect and abandonment have risen since the pandemic, linked to higher living costs and people taking on pets they cannot afford.
“A lot of times, it is financial or mental health. We always try to be there because at the end of the day, we just want what is best for the animals,” said Dingman.
Chiarelli said many households love their pets and face tough choices with pet costs.
“With the way times are, it is more important than ever to fundraise for animals because people do not always have the funds available,” said Chiarelli, a volunteer with Community Initiative for Animal Rescue.
The animal welfare group chose the two humane societies after hearing about a series of abandonment cases across Niagara.
“This year was really bad. There were puppies left in parks under the Skyway Bridge and the boxes of kittens left at the humane society,” said Rice.
Last Christmas, its holiday event raised $7,000, and this year, volunteers again aimed to surpass that total while keeping every dollar in the region. Alongside cash, the group accepts donations of pet food and towels.
“People do not realize how big it is, but all of these little fundraisers truly help the care of the animals,” said Dingman.
Rice said residents who missed the sale can still support local rescues by volunteering, donating supplies or giving directly to the humane societies.
Community Initiative for Animal Rescue is planning more sales and raffles in 2026 as shelters prepare for another busy year.
