The future of Saving Animals’ Lives Together (SALT), a St. Thomas-based animal rescue and adoption agency, hangs precariously in the balance following the issuance of a substantial bill by the province’s animal welfare service. SALT, which opened its doors at 353 Talbot St. in September 2024, has been hit with a statement of account totaling $198,156.28 for costs incurred after provincial inspectors removed a significant number of cats from its care. Agency founder Bonnie Smith described a distressing shift in interactions with provincial inspectors. While initial visits were “helpful and instructive,” a visit in early May of this year took a sharp turn. “It was more of a demanding, like, ‘You’re doing this,’ or ‘This shouldn’t be happening.’ And we just felt like criminals. We were in tears for three weeks,” Smith recounted. At the time of the May inspection, SALT housed approximately 140 cats. Smith acknowledged the facility was overwhelmed due to a high turnover in volunteers, “What do you do if you get the animals, but you got four people. You don’t just ship the animals out,” she stated, highlighting the challenges of managing animal intake without adequate staffing. Smith was informed a complaint had been lodged but was not privy to its origin or nature. Provincial Animal Welfare Service (PAWS) then assigned a designated shelter vet and facilitated the transfer of about sixty cats to the Toronto Humane Society. Subsequently, another roughly 60 cats were removed, leading to the euthanasia of 17 animals. The crisis culminated when, late Monday afternoon, SALT received the official Statement of Account, dated Aug. 10, 2026, for services rendered. The bill, due by Aug. 25, provides a breakdown of the charges: This statement, issued pursuant to section 35 of the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019, makes SALT liable for the total expenses. The Chief Animal Welfare Inspector has cautioned that further statements may be issued for cats still under PAWS control. In response to the daunting financial demand, Smith has launched a fundraiser and is exploring avenues to challenge the Statement of Account. “We will be putting complaints in. We will be putting appeals in. That’s all we can do,” she affirmed. Currently, the adoption of any cats remaining at the SALT facility is on hold, adding to the agency’s operational strain. PAWS falls under the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General. When approached for comment, a ministry spokesperson stated that no statements could be made at this time due to the ongoing investigation. The significant financial burden and the ongoing investigation cast a long shadow over the future of SALT.
