The Prime Minister’s wife, Laureen Harper, visited the OSPCA shelter in Midland on Tuesday to help draw attention to abandoned and unwanted pets.
She toured the shelter, met with staff and volunteers, and met several animals, including a cat named Megs who has been up for adoption for five months.
Harper says she wants to see every animal find a good home.
“It's a big commitment,” she says. “We want people to think about that, and to also come here and see this wonderful facility.”
Mrs. Harper has made animal welfare a major cause in her life, and has been caring for animals for years.
She has also fostered several animals at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence, 24 Sussex Drive, for the Ottawa Humane Society.
The branch manager of the Midland OSPCA, Cathy Hawke, says Mrs. Harper’s visit was a welcome event.
“I didn't realize that she's that knowledgeable about everything,” said Hawke. “She's a very nice person, and I was glad to see her here.”
Laureen Harper often visits shelters when she’s travelling in communities across the country.
“This is huge for us,” said the Midland OSPCA Director of Operations Tanya Firmage. “I think, as Mrs. Harper mentioned, we need the support of the community. Financial contributions, as well as volunteers are really, really important to us.”
