A St. Thomas animal shelter is at the centre of an investigation following a whistleblower’s report detailing alleged poor welfare conditions and images of dozens of cats running loose within the facility. The Provincial Animal Welfare Service (PAWS) is involved, and the shelter’s founder has been presented with a bill for nearly $200,000 related to seized animals. CTV News has obtained a copy of the report that likely triggered the investigation into Saving Animals’ Lives Together (SALT), located on Talbot Street. The document includes photographs depicting numerous cats freely roaming the facility. The whistleblower, a former SALT volunteer who requested anonymity, raised serious concerns about the animals’ health. “It was just a wrong situation for the cats. So cats, a lot of the cats, were just in really extremely poor welfare conditions,” the former volunteer stated, claiming many cats suffered from various untreated illnesses. Bonnie Smith, founder of SALT, acknowledged that the rescue organization had taken in an excessive number of cats, admitting, “We give every cat the second, third, fourth chance.” While recognizing Smith’s deep care for animals, the whistleblower noted, “She really does care about them and wants them to have better lives. She just doesn’t seem to be able to recognize that she is not providing that.” In response to the situation, PAWS inspectors began relocating cats in May, sending approximately 60 felines to the Toronto Humane Society for adoption. A PAWS-appointed shelter veterinarian also took in additional cats for care. Smith stated she was informed that 19 of these animals have since been euthanized. Adding to the crisis, Smith recently received a Statement of Account from PAWS totaling $198,156.28, billed for veterinary care and boarding of the seized cats. Smith expressed concern that this substantial debt puts SALT at risk, questioning, “Because we take in those types of animals, does that mean that we should be shut down?” Cameron Miller, a supporter of Smith and SALT, called for greater government accountability, demanding a more detailed breakdown of the costs. “If you can’t justify that, but you still want to hand out a $200,000 bill, I think there’s a serious problem in accountability in our government,” Miller said. This is not the first time Smith’s animal rescue efforts have drawn attention. In February 2020, dozens of cats were rescued from her London home, where SALT was then based, following a fire that prompted neighbourhood concerns. Other individuals have also voiced unease about SALT’s operational practices. Ashley Cooney of Crystal Skull Exotics, an exotic animal rescue based in Hamilton, donated food to SALT in 2024. Cooney described becoming increasingly worried after witnessing what she estimated to be “100 or more cats in, like, I don’t know, an 800 square foot space going past caged cats, which are obviously in quarantine. That became very concerning for us.” On Thursday, Smith said she was consulting with a lawyer to prepare an appeal against the Statement of Account. She is also initiating a fundraising campaign to help offset the significant bill. This has raised transparency concerns for Ariana Grace, who has monitored SALT’s activities. “People deserve to be informed on what they’re asking to be donating to. They deserve to be informed on what their money is going to,” Grace stated. PAWS representatives are scheduled to conduct another inspection on Friday. The Ministry of the Solicitor General’s Ministry, which oversees PAWS operations, declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
