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Hope After Heartbreak: Purina Canada Supports Happy Days Sanctuary Following Fire
Updated: 1/6/2026
Donating to our community is at the heart of what we do, and that commitment remained just as strong in the days leading up to Christmas.On December 7, a devastating fire at Happy Days Animal Sanctuary in Fort Erie, Ontario claimed the lives of 31 cats, all lost to smoke inhalation. The tragedy left the sanctuary reeling—and when they reached out to us, we knew we had to act.
Shane Swinson, whose mother runs the sanctuary, shared the heartbreaking reality of the loss with us on December 17:
“My mom has been taking in and caring for neglected and abused domestic and farm animals for over a decade and has saved hundreds of animals over the years. She raises funds through local bake sales, bottle drives and local donations. This devastating fire not only took 31 cherished residents but also took my mom’s entire house and all her belongings. She has worked 15 hours every day, 7 days a week for the past 10 years because she just cares so much but to be honest her spirit is broken over this catastrophe.”
Despite the tragedy, 12 cats were rescued and 70 animals survived, leaving the sanctuary in urgent need of food and litter.
Team members across Head Office, the Mississauga DC, and Caledonia quickly came together to coordinate a donation. Not an easy task during the holidays but we knew we had to act. Thanks to this collective effort, we provided over 760 bags of kitten and cat food along with 144 boxes and 40 cases of litter to help the sanctuary care for the surviving animals.
The response from Happy Days Sanctuary was filled with gratitude:
“Thank you so much for Purina's incredibly generous donation to Happy Days Sanctuary. We are truly grateful for your kindness and support. Please know how much this generosity means to our sanctuary and to the animals we care for. Thank you again for your compassion and support.”
In a moment of profound loss, our teams helped bring a measure of relief—and reminded the sanctuary that they are not alone.
As we welcome the New Year, let this moment reaffirm Purina’s commitment to supporting animals in need — a mission that remains central to who we are. And when tragedy strikes, we will continue to do our best to lend a hand to the communities and animals who rely on us.
