HUMANEINSIDER
APRIL 2023 TORONTO HUMANE SOCIETY
FEATURED ARTICLES
The Spring 50/50 Raffle Ends in April
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April Community Day
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Spring in Bloom Market
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Animal Care Worker Appreciation Week
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National Volunteer Appreciation Week
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Toronto Humane Society in the News
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Sponsor My Foster
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Kiko’s Training Story: From Dealing with Reactivity to Becoming a Rally O Champ
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Volunteer Updates
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Staff Announcements and Career Opportunities
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Upcoming Events
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The Spring 50/50 Raffle Ends in April
The 50/50 jackpot is growing! This year’s winner is already estimated to take home over $20,000!
Volunteers, foster parents, friends, and extended family of staff members can purchase 10 tickets for $10, 40 tickets for $20, or 200 tickets for $40, and encourage others to participate in the raffle.
YOU WIN. PETS WIN.
To purchase tickets, visit www.TorontoHumaneSocietyLotto.com
The raffle will end on April 24th, 2023, at 11:59 pm with the final draw on April 25th, 2023
Please note that staff and Board of Directors, along with their spouses, children and children-in-law, are prohibited from purchasing tickets and are not eligible to win. However, volunteers and foster parents are allowed to purchase tickets and are eligible to win
April Community Day Event
Toronto Humane Society is committed to helping more pets stay with their families and out of the shelter system. Our past Community Day events were successful – we’ve seen first-hand how sharing what pet supplies we have made a positive impact on pet parents in need – and that is why we’re aiming to host Community Day events monthly.
If you, or someone else you know, needs pet food and supplies such as carriers, toys, leashes and pet coats, save the date for our April Community Day event.
Location: Toronto Humane Society, 11 River Street, Toronto, ON M5A 4C2
Date: Monday, April 10th Time: 11:00am to 3:00pm
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Spring in Bloom Market
Spring has sprung and the time to decorate your home with new plants has begun!
To help you get a jump start on adding a bit of greenery to your small space near your window, balcony, or outdoor garden, we’re hosting our first ever Spring in Bloom Market.
On April 15th, from 12:00pm until 5:00pm, visit us at 11 River Street to purchase indoor and outdoor plants, gardening accessories, and adorable planters that you could paint if you sign up for the workshop.
Plant Pot Painting Workshop
DIY your own terracotta planters for your new plants! For the kids, or the kids at heart, each $20 ticket includes a terracotta pot for you to paint, soil and seeds to take home and plant, and all the paint brushes and paint needed for your work of art. RSVP to join one of our Plant Pot Painting Workshops that will take place every 30 mins from 12:30pm until 3:00pm and bring out your inner artist and craft your planters to be uniquely yours. .
Every Purchase Supports Fresh Starts
Not only will every purchase give you the joy of helping your plants grow and flourish, but it’ll also support the growth and care of animals waiting for their fresh start as well
Whether you have a green thumb – or aspire to have one – you won’t want to miss this event!
Spring in Bloom Market Event Details
When: Saturday, April 15th from 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: Toronto Humane Society, 11 River Street, Toronto, ON M5A 4C2
Tickets: The Spring in Bloom Market is FREE to attend Please RSVP to attend the Plant Pot Painting Workshop here.
Animal Care Worker Appreciation Week
Join us in celebrating our Animal Care Workers from April 5th to April 11th with a week full of social media shoutouts, certificates, and lots of fun activities
Their hard work, dedication, and love for the animals in our care is evident every single day. They work closely with animals with a variety of tasks and do so much more than feed and clean up after them. They provide the love and attention that these animals need to thrive and are always there to lend a helping hand
Animal Care Workers are committed to the animals, day and night, weekends and holidays, and during these unprecedented times What they do every day takes a lot of patience, knowledge, and a big, big heart
During this week, we encourage everyone to take the time to thank our animal care workers for their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to the animals in our care.
We celebrate you, animal care workers You are truly heroes to the animals at Toronto Humane Society, and we are proud to have so many wonderful team members.
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Volunteer Appreciation Week
Rockstar Rookie: Given to a new volunteer/foster parent who has really shined in their role. Someone who consistently shows up, is not afraid to ask questions etc
Going The Extra Mile: Given to a volunteer/foster parent who goes above and beyond to help; i.e. does more than one role, takes on extra shift, is kind to the animals, their peers, and staff
Helping Hand: Given to a volunteer who always takes the time to help others.
As we approach Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 16th to 22nd), Toronto Humane Society wants to express our gratitude to all our amazing volunteers Your dedication, compassion, and hard work are truly inspiring, and you make a tremendous difference in the lives of the animals in our care. Your selfless service and commitment to our mission keeps our organization running smoothly, and we are so grateful for the countless hours and energy you give. Your unwavering support means the world to us, and it is because of you that we can provide the care and attention our furry friends deserve.
To celebrate, we invite staff members to nominate a volunteer for an award below by including their name and a brief explanation of why they deserve the recognition.
You're A Gem: For a volunteer/foster parent who is friendly and welcoming to all members of the team.
Spotlight: Given to a long-term volunteer/foster parent (2+ years) who has been consistent in their support; always showing up for their shifts, helping where needed, etc
We encourage you to share specific stories that highlight why you believe your nominee deserves the award, and how their work has impacted the lives of animals in our care
To our dedicated volunteers and foster parents, thank you for all you do to support us.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for all that you do Your kindness, generosity, and compassion are truly remarkable, and we feel so fortunate to have you as part of our Toronto Humane Society family
A Week of Social Media Activity
We encourage everyone to follow us on their preferred social media channels as we appreciate our volunteers with weekly posts and trivia!
Toronto Humane Society in the News
As a leader in the animal welfare industry, Toronto Humane Society is often quoted as a professional source in the media. Which newsworthy topics were buzzing and trending in the animal welfare world? Here are our top three topics discussed during the month of February
PetSmart Charities Supports Toronto Humane Society’s Veterinary Clinic
PetSmart Charities of Canada director of community grants and initiatives, Kate Atema, reiterates the need for innovative solutions to make veterinary care affordable for pet-owning families across Canada in an article covered by Toronto.com. PetSmart Charities of Canada has committed $18 million over the next five years toward improving access to veterinary care, including $100,000 to the Toronto Humane Society to support the expansion of its public veterinary service clinic
Adoption Highlights
Several news articles feature animals up for adoption at Toronto Humane Society, including a bonded bunnies, Cadbury and La Bamaba, who were featured in The Toronto Sun
February Media Stats:
Mentions: 24
Impressions: 14,314,806
Pets Abandoned at the Rouge National Urban Park
18 pets were found abandoned in Rouge National Park in February. In an interview with CBC Radio Canada, Jacques Messier, CEO of Toronto Humane Society, states that the main reason people are abandoning their pets is for economic reasons As a solution, Toronto Humane Society offers free food for pets through our pet food bank and subsidized vet care
Other Media Hits:
Global News – Pet Profile: Chevy
Global News: Pet Profile: Rally
Global News: Pet Profile: Mimin
Global News – Pet Profile: La Bamba and Cadbury
Zoomer Radio – Three Facts About Buster the Rabbit
Toronto Guardian – New Jersey the Cat is Looking for a Lovely Home
Toronto Guardian – Momoe is looking for a Forever Home
The New Classical FM Pet of the Week: Boba and Coffee
Toronto Guardian – Big Mack is Looking for a Home in Toronto
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Sponsor My Foster
Are you a foster parent looking to make a greater impact for the animals in your care? You’ll want to check out our Sponsor My Foster program!
By creating a personalized fundraising page for your foster pet, you can raise money to cover the costs of their care You can share their story, any special needs they may have, and a cute photo of their adorable face.
The best part is that it’s easy! First, you set up the page with a fundraising goal, and then you share the link with your friends, family, and online community. Your goal thermometer will heat up and grow as the donations come in.
No matter how large or small, your fundraiser can make a difference in the lives of the animals
Combined with the generosity of others, the possibilities are endless.
If you're interested in participating in the Sponsor my Foster program, visit torontohumanesocietycom/sponsormyfoster and create your fundraising page. Let's work together to save more lives and make a difference in the lives of these precious animals
Kiko’s Training Story: From Dealing with Reactivity to Becoming a Rally O Champ
Kiko’s pet parents initially engaged Public Training in a Problem Solving and Behaviour Modification consultation with Louise Lawrence, CPDT-KA, CDBC Kiko had developed concerning reactivity around other dogs when out leash walking and had also developed some serious anxiety around his possessions resulting in two owner directed bites
Louise worked with them to reduce his anxiety and teach him some substitute behaviours around triggers Their sessions were successful and Kiko’s reactivity subsided significantly enough that Louise felt comfortable suggesting a fun group class to allow Kiko to generalize the new calm behaviour to more challenging environments
Kiko and his pet parents joined Competitive Level Rally Obedience to provide a fun and challenging training program for him Kiko loved the precise and challenging skills he learned during Rally O! He conquered each new skill with lots of tail wags and enthusiasm. Best of all, Kiko loved running his Rally courses so much that even other dogs in close proximity in the training hall did not provoke anxiety, so Kilo displayed no reactive behaviour!
Here’s what his pet parents had to say: "Just wanted to say that your classes have been wonderful and Kiko is managing much better around other dogs. We let him play off leash with another dog and it was fine! It's a huge improvement
When clients approach Public Training for help with behavioural challenges, or to set their new dogs up for success, our goal is to work with the pet parents and their pet to systematically work towards their goals while simultaneously building the human animal bond. It’s not unusual for a dog to start out in private sessions to gain some skills then graduate to the fun, enriching and social group class environment once they are comfortable working in that environment.
We are super proud of Kiko and his pet parents for their success!
Please keep us in the loop as we want to continue with Kiko's training (and mine!)"
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Volunteer Updates
Volunteer Anniversaries
Please join us in celebrating volunteers who are reaching a milestone anniversary this month! Thank you for all your hard work and continued dedication!
5 years:
Ann Marie H, Special Species Care
Kristy C, Canine Care
Shonna M, Feline Care
15 years:
Marcela G, Feline Care and Canine Care
Rosana M, Canine Care
Education Series: Bottle Feeding Kittens
Have you ever wanted to learn more about how to feed and care for our most vulnerable animal population? Join Lindsay Korotki, RVT, Assistant Manager, Community Sheltering and Animal Transport, who will be sharing her extensive experience in bottle feeding kittens You can expect some cute slides, and helpful takeaways and tips for your next kitten encounter.
Date:April 25, 6pm - 7pm
Location: Virtual over Zoom
Registration: Please sign up to attend meeting via Zoom.
Volunteer Spotlights
We are so grateful for all our volunteers; we rely heavily on your support to meet our operational needs. We want to take time once a month to extend our thanks to a volunteer who has had a positive impact at Toronto Humane Society based on staff/volunteer feedback
March's spotlight is on Rain P!
From a young age, Rain knew she wanted to spend her time with animals. “I feel more myself around animals”, she said “They do not judge, they have no preconceived notions of you, and if you treat them with kindness they will respond - in their own way and in their own time.” By the time she turned 12, Rain had already started volunteering at the Saskatoon SPCA Flashforward to today, where Rain has been a volunteer for Toronto Humane Society for 12 years and counting!
Her role in canine care enables her to both engage in her passion and utilize her skills “It’s something I know I am good at,” she shared, and her nearly 1,300 hours of volunteer service to Toronto Humane Society proves that
Rain’s understanding and care for the dogs in our care is awe-inspiring. Rain comments, “the animals here sometimes come from terrible circumstances and traumatic experiences They deserve an opportunity to recover, to recuperate and to heal.” As such, she feels it is her responsibility to, “give them the time, patience, and opportunity to be a little bit braver each day,
preparing them for their forever home. They slowly start to trust again, play again, find joy in life again. I get to be part of that process and that is pretty incredible”
Particularly, she has a soft spot for the dogs that are anxious or reactive, she explained, “you cannot rush an animal who is emotionally and/or mentally shut down They need to take things at their own pace, and I can understand that.”
Rain has two cats at home that she adopted from Toronto Humane Society “I was volunteering on New Year's Eve (on a day of the week I normally was not scheduled) and I met a tiny orange kitten who was in the clinic from Foster Care for only that one day,” she shared When she walked by the kennel, the kitten grabbed her hair and, “thereby grabbed my heart.” Two weeks later she had two kittens, as the one she met was bonded to their sibling. Their names are Ronan and Pandora, and they both have cerebellar hypoplasia You can keep up with them on Instargam at @MyWobblyKittens.
We are so grateful to have Rain as part of our volunteer team, and we are sure the dogs feel the same way Please join us in celebrating Rain this month!
April's spotlight is Logan T!
In just over 6 months, Logan T., one of our wonderful Special Species volunteers, has already logged over 85 hours of service! However, his love and passion to work with animals didn’t just start here “Working with animals that need care and love has always been something I’ve wanted to do,” he said, “I want to be able to help animals connect better with humans, in order to strengthen the bond” His devotion to this cause led him to volunteer at organizations prior to coming on board at Toronto Humane Society, “I volunteered at the Ontario Turtle Sanctuary, as well as Riverdale Park and Zoo”
When asked what drew him to want to volunteer with special species he said that after meeting his friend’s hamster, “I decided that I wanted to learn more about them and other animals in the special species category.” And since starting he has learned a lot, “I learned how to tell if the animals are happy, sad, or even annoyed.” Furthermore, “I also learned how to take care of the animals properly and safely For example, letting them sniff my hand and then giving them a treat.”
Given that he is volunteering as part of a placement, he is onsite multiple days a week, and according to him being here more often, “I feel like I am really able to make a noticeable contribution.” Moreover, “this placement has convinced me even more – that I would like a future career working with animals”
Logan has been an incredible asset and we greatly appreciate having him as a volunteer
Please join us in celebrating Logan this month!
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Staff Announcements & Career Opportunities
Staff Announcements
Toronto Humane Society is continually growing! We've had some members move into different roles:
Oren Wry - Foster Coordinator from Foster Agent
Irina Avdyushkina - Certified Group Class
Training Instructor
Alisha Uglow - Manager, Annual Fund Office Willow Tambakis - Coordinator, Corporate Giving
Career Opportunities
Toronto Humane Society is committed to promoting the humane care and protection of all animals and to prevent cruelty and suffering Our team of talented, dedicated staff work to support this mission.
If you are interested in joining our dedicated team please forward your resume to our Human Resource Department via email at hiring@torontohumanesociety.com.
Current Job Openings:
Coordinator, Public Relations Development Officer, Direct Response Fundraising Development Officer, Community Giving Development Officer, Monthly Giving
Upcoming Events
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
April 1st-30th
A month to raise awareness of animal cruelty and the steps that can be taken to prevent it and save lives
World Autism Awareness Day
April 2nd
A day to raise awareness, understanding, and acceptance for those with autism and autistic spectrum disorders.
Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month
April 1st-30th
During this month, we honour the memory of the victims of genocide and reflect on the root causes of these tragedies, so that they never happen again
Good Friday
April 7th
A day to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. A Holiday in Ontario.
National Pet Day
April 11th
A day to celebrate the joy and love pets bring to our lives.
International Day of Pink
March 22nd-April 21st
A day to stand up against homophobia, transphobia, transmisogyny, bullying and discrimination through wearing pink and organizing activities that celebrate diversity.
National Volunteer Week
April 16th –April 22nd
During National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the contributions of Canada’s millions of volunteers: their actions, their understanding, and their genuine concern for the world around them
National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
April 30th
A day to raise awareness for all the pets who are waiting to be adopted from a shelter
Click here to read more dates that we are acknowledging this month.
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