A Letter From Our CEO
2023 Highlights
Toronto in Crisis
Ensuring Access to Care
Reducing Pet Homelessness
Preserving the Human-Animal Bond
Centered on Compassion
Advocacy: How Our Voice is Inspiring Change
Community Partners
Leadership Teams
Your Donations at Work
As I reflect on 2023, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the unwavering support and dedication show by you, our community. This year has been transformative for Toronto Humane Society, as we have continued to advance our strategic plan to eliminate the root causes of animal vulnerability and expand our programs to include both animal and human services.
A cornerstone of our strategy has been the expansion of public programs that prevent animal surrender. The Pet Parent Support Network has been instrumental in this effort. Acting as the first line of defense against animal surrender requests, our dedicated team members offer alternatives such as subsidized veterinary care, training and behaviour classes, and access to pet food. By addressing these needs, we help keep pets with their families and prevent the heartache of separation.
Another critical program is our Urgent Care initiative, which supports families experiencing acute crises such as temporary homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or hospitalization. By providing temporary care for their pets, we ensure that families can stay together during these challenging times.
We launched our ground breaking Toronto in Crisis campaign in the Fall to highlight the unprecedented challenges faced by pet parents. With the rising cost of living and increasing barriers to accessing essential pet care, we are seeing overwhelming demands for all of our public programs and services. The Toronto in Crisis campaign brought these issues to the attention of millions of people and raised over $455,000 to support our essential services. The success of the campaign underscores the vital role of our donors and community partners, whose generosity and support makes our work possible.
Your support in 2023 has been invaluable. Together, we have made significant strides in reducing animal vulnerability and supporting pet families in need. As we look to 2024, we look forward to continuing this important work with you.
Thank you for standing with us. Here’s to all that we have accomplished together, and to the many more lives we will touch in the coming year.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Phil Nichols, RVT, CAWA Chief Executive Officer
Being there to support pet parents from the very beginning of their adoption journey and all the way through, this collaboration has had a significant impact on the lives of animals in the Toronto community and beyond. READ MORE.
Launched in the summer of 2023, these clinics provide critical veterinary and behavioural services in non-traditional, trauma-informed settings to underserved communities, addressing the intersection of human and animal wellness. LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY WELLNESS POP-UP CLINICS.
By expanding our wellness and surgery services, we have made care more accessible to a greater number of pets and their families. This has been made possible thanks to a $500,000 grant over three years from PetSmart Charities of Canada. The grant funds are directed toward providing veterinary care to those in our community who need it most. Our partnership with PetSmart Charities of Canada enables us to make an even bigger difference for pets in need and the people who love them. READ MORE.
Toronto Humane Society made the Charities Intelligence Top 100 Charity list and received a top-rated 5-star rating for a second year in a row! READ MORE.
This important event serves as a vital fundraiser, bringing together animal lovers and golf enthusiasts to support our mission of improving the lives of animals. Visit www.humaneopen.ca for the 2024 date and information.
Designed for dogs who display frustration and leash reactivity around other dogs or various triggers, this small group training class has quickly become one of our most popular classes. Learn more about our Public Training & Behaviour Service offerings.
By onboarding four social work students, we further integrated social work into our public programs to support more families in need. This expansion underscores our commitment to a holistic approach to animal welfare, recognizing the connection between human and animal well-being.
From October to December 2023, Toronto Humane Society ran the Toronto in Crisis campaign to address the growing crisis of care in the city. The rising costs of essential pet care services – from preventative and emergency veterinary care to the cost of food and other necessities – has made it harder than ever for pet guardians to provide the level of care they know their animals deserve.
The combination of skyrocketing cost of living and the scarcity of affordable pet care has forced many families into the difficult position of choosing between their own well-being and that of their pets. In many cases, the heartbreaking choice is to sever of the animal-human bond and break up loving families by surrendering their pets. Toronto Humane Society believes that no one should have to endure the sorrow of parting with their beloved pets due to financial strain, so the campaign was launched to seek urgent support from the community to help keep families together.
With your support, the campaign raised over $455,000 and earned 144.8 million impressions and 159 mentions in prominent media outlets including CBC, Global News, CityNews, The Toronto Sun, BlogTO, and CTV News. The money raised through the campaign will directly support animals and families in need through our essential public programs, including Public Veterinary Services and Urgent Care. These programs offer crucial support to families in need, helping them maintain the bond with their pets during tough times. By providing subsidized veterinary care, temporary housing for pets during family crises, and other vital services, Toronto Humane Society aims to prevent the heartbreak of tearing families apart before it starts. This initiative underscores the connections between animal welfare and broader societal issues, advocating for compassionate solutions to keep pets and their families together.
Rosie was diagnosed with parvovirus, a deadly disease, and Jeanette, living in a low-income apartment, faced the daunting challenge of affording her medical care. Toronto Humane Society’s medical team created a cost-effective treatment plan, and with their expert oversight and Jeanette’s dedication, Rosie began to recover. Today, Rosie is a happy, healthy dog back by Jeanette’s side.
Candace’s illness required hospitalization for spine treatment, putting NinaBear at risk of separation. This agony led Candace to delay vital medical care until she discovered Toronto Humane Society’s Urgent Care program. Candace received crucial spine treatment while NinaBear was cared for in a temporary foster home. Their reunion proved that families do not need to be torn apart during crises.
“Toronto Humane Society saved Dji Dji’s life. Without Toronto Humane Society, I would have been out of options. Only YOU can make a difference. Without you there is no Toronto Humane Society, and without Toronto Humane Society, there would be no Dji Dji today.”
Reducing pet homelessness and addressing the pressing issue of the thousands of pets that enter Ontario’s shelter system as strays each year is one of Toronto Humane Society’s core purposes.
Uncontrolled overpopulation is a significant contributor to pet homelessness, but it is compounded by limited access to essential pet care services. To combat these challenges, Toronto Humane Society is committed to the development and growth of programs and services that strengthen and preserve the human-animal bond. Programs like Pet Parent Support Network, Public Veterinary Services, Public Training and Behaviour classes, and the Pet Food Bank are pivotal in keeping pets with their families.
Moreover, raising public awareness on critical animal welfare issues such as microchipping, ethical breeding practices, and the importance of spaying and neutering further supports our efforts to reduce pet homelessness and improve the lives of animals in our community.
On May 4, 2023, Toronto Humane Society held our first off-site foodbank event at All Saints Church & Community Centre, Dundas and Sherbourne. We handed out 2,094 lbs of dog food and 1,445 lbs of cat food to those in need.
Access to care is a critical challenge facing animals globally, and it forms one of the core purposes of Toronto Humane Society.
When we talk about access to care, we refer to a family’s ability to seek out, understand, and obtain the services and support necessary for their animal’s health and well-being. This is not simply a matter of bringing cheaper services to the market; it involves innovative business models that maintain high-quality care while being affordable.
Toronto Humane Society is dedicated to overcoming the barriers to care. In addition to on-site programs we offer – including our Public Veterinary Services, Pet Parent Support Network, and Urgent Care, – Toronto Humane Society is taking the critical step of collaborating directly with underserved communities, both within the Greater Toronto Area and in remote locations across the province. Our goal is to raise awareness about preventative care, provide accurate information, and ensure pets and their families can access the care they need, when and how they need it.
In 2023, Toronto Humane Society launched Community Wellness Pop-ups with support from La Fondation Emmanuelle Gattuso. These clinics bridge the gap in access community members experiencing housing vulnerability, providing veterinary care, behavioural services, food and supplies. These clinics are unique and effective because we take a trauma-informed approach, creating a safe environment. The Community Wellness Pop-up Clinics served 86 animals and 77 pet parents, distributing 2,266 pounds of dog food and 292 pounds of cat food. By addressing both pet and family needs, these clinics promote overall health and happiness, emerging as a vital lifeline for underserved communities, providing medical care, compassion, support, and a promise of a healthier future for both humans and their pets.
Toronto Humane Society is dedicated to more than just providing shelter and care for animals in need; we strive to foster and enhance the vital human-animal bond, a cornerstone of our mission to improve the lives of animals. From Public Training and Behaviour classes to temporary sheltering through the Urgent Care program, to support from the Pet Parent Support Network and the Pet Food Bank, our efforts ensure animals remain healthy and experience enriched lives alongside their human companions.
Kat faced a tough choice when she considered surrendering her cat, Jack, due to his playful behaviour affecting her dog, Boomer, who had developed back issues. After discussing alternatives with a Pet Parent Support Network agent, Kat decided to train Jack and Boomer to coexist. Given training guidelines and inspired by positive interactions between her pets, Kat chose to keep Jack, expressing gratitude for the support she received and confidence in managing the situation.
At the heart of Toronto Humane Society lies an unwavering commitment to compassion, driving every aspect of our mission to Improve the Lives of Animals. This dedication is exemplified through our foster and adoption programs, which provide loving temporary homes and permanent families for animals in need.
Our foster program offers a lifeline to animals requiring special care or a respite from the shelter environment, while our adoption program matches pets with their forever homes, ensuring they find the love and stability they deserve. Through these initiatives, Toronto Humane Society not only transforms the lives of individual animals but also cultivates a compassionate community where both people and pets can thrive together.
*This data only tracks tracks the activities and stimuli that our animals enjoy, both individually and in group settings, while in the shelter thanks to our volunteers. It does not capture the full scope of enrichment animals receive from our staff members, or while in a loving foster home. Foster parents play a crucial role, providing enriching environments, helping animals thrive, and preparing them for their forever home.
Hazel, a 5-year-old dog, was brought to Toronto Humane Society after being found abandoned and tied to a tree on a hot day. Hazel received comprehensive care for a number of medical conditions, including heat stroke, underweight, an infection, and alopecia. Over two months, she transformed into a friendly, playful dog who loves people. Due to Ontario’s breed-specific legislation, efforts were made to find her a home outside the province. Hazel now lives in British Columbia with her adoptive family. In an update they shared, “Hazel has been doing wonderfully and has really settled in. She has gained 15lbs. She loves her walks. While she is still apprehensive of new people, she has made new human friends. She enjoys playing with her sister.”
At just four months old, Petey was hit by a car and left for dead, unable to walk and surrounded by birds. Fortunately, a passerby noticed the commotion, rescued Petey, and took him to the nearest animal shelter, which then reached out to Toronto Humane Society for help. Petey’s leg was so badly broken it needed amputation, but severe nerve damage from the accident had to improve first. Our veterinarians provided medication and supportive treatments to manage his discomfort. Once his nerve damage improved, Petey underwent successful surgery for leg amputation, followed by a treatment plan including a special diet and supplements. Petey was adopted by a family that is excited to love him and provide for his special needs.
“We adopted Beatrix and Gem! They seem really happy here. I had been waiting for guinea pigs for three years, since I was five! I love them very much, but they are still a bit shy. I like to play with them and brush their hair, especially Gem’s. They love cucumber, carrot tops and lettuce to name a few things. They also love hiding in their hidey-holes. Thank you for helping them and making my dream come true.”
Advocacy is an essential pillar of Toronto Humane Society’s mission, driving systemic changes that enhance animal welfare and community health. Our advocacy work underscores the importance of continual learning, collaboration, and innovative approaches in advancing animal welfare. Through research, education, and community engagement, we strive to create a better world for animals and the people who care for them.
Dr. Linda Jacobson, Director of Science and Advancement, co-authored a study with Dr. Karen Ward, Chief Veterinary Officer, Aveline Lacaden, and Kelly Harrison, titled “Further variation of the adulticide protocol for the treatment of canine heartworm infection: can it be even shorter and cost less?” This retrospective study evaluated modified three-dose melarsomine treatment protocols in a shelter setting, comparing them to the American Heartworm Society’s recommended protocol. The findings supported starting melarsomine after 14 days of doxycycline at a lower dose, proposing shorter and more cost-effective treatments. This has enhanced lifesaving capacity and improved the quality of life for shelter dogs by reducing exercise restriction duration and length of stay.
Dr. Karen Ward played a pivotal role in the panel “Connecting to Indigenous Communities: Truth, Reconciliation and Access to Care” at the Canadian Animal Health Institute’s annual conference. Dr. Ward’s efforts to connect with Indigenous communities and highlight the unique challenges they face were instrumental in broadening the understanding and engagement of animal health professionals..
Dr. Karen Ward mentored veterinarians and students during the UW/UC Davis shelter medicine fellowship selective, leading a shelter medicine consult in Texas. This program aims to build a community of trained veterinarians capable of making a positive, life-saving impact in shelters and communities.
Dr. Linda Jacobson published an article on the Canadian Shelter and Community Medicine Blog sharing best practices for best before dates (BBD) on pet food. Key findings include that most pet foods can be safely fed long after the BBD if the packaging remains intact and appropriate, though the quality gradually diminishes over time rather than overnight. There are no safety concerns for food beyond the BBD under these conditions. Toronto Humane Society’s Best Before Date Protocol, created in 2022, has enabled us to provide thousands of pounds of pet food to animals in need. Further sharing these findings has guided numerous animal welfare agencies in effectively managing pet food donations, significantly enhancing community support during challenging times.
Dr. Linda Jacobson’s second peer-reviewed study of 2023, published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, highlighted our effective disease and infection control protocols. This study provided crucial insights that benefited other animal agencies managing similar situations, demonstrating our leadership in animal health and welfare.
Dr. Jacklyn Ellis, our Director of Behaviour, made significant contributions by speaking at several prominent conferences. At the 2023 Annual Conference of the Association of Animal Shelter Administrators of Ontario (AASAO) in Toronto, she presented “Managing feline behaviour cases in an animal shelter,” offering a detailed methodology for addressing undesirable behaviours in shelter animals. She also spoke at the 2023 ASPCA® Cornell Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Conference in Ithaca, NY, presenting her chapters from the book Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff. Her topics included “Behaviour assessments for shelter cats” and “Environmental enrichment for shelter cats,” providing valuable insights into enhancing the well-being of shelter animals.
We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our community partners in 2023. Their contributions have been essential to our ongoing efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of animals and the people who love them. Together, we are creating a more compassionate community ensuring that every animal receives the care and love they deserve.
The strategic vision, commitment, and tireless efforts from our Board of Directors and Senior Leadership teams have been instrumental in advancing our mission and driving positive change for the animals and communities we serve. Thank you for your continuous support, innovative ideas, and passionate advocacy.
Thank you for your unwavering support and relentless commitment to improving the lives animals and their families. Your dedication makes a profound difference, and we are deeply grateful.
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