Humane Insider - June

FEATURED ARTICLES

You Can Help Us Win $20,000

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Join us for a Gender and Sexuality Inclusion Workshop in celebration of Pride Month

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Grab Your Foursome and attend a Golf Tournament That Supports Animals in Need

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Toronto Humane Society in the News

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Volunteer Updates

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Build a Stronger Bond with Your Dog by Enrolling into a Training Class

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Animal Talk Summer 2023: Providing Access to Care to Preserve the Human-Animal Bond

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Staff Announcements & Career Opportunities

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Caring for 2 Mothers and Their 19 Puppies

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15 Rabbits Find Their Forever Homes

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One Month, Two Community Days, Over 6000 Pounds of Food

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Supporting our Foster Parents with Vetster

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Upcoming Events

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You Can Help Us Win $20,000

The Great Canadian Giving Challenge has begun!

For the entire month of June, every dollar donated to Toronto Humane Society through CanadaHelps.org increases our chance to win the cash prize of $20,000 The more you give, the greater chance we have to win

What Would We Do with $20,000?

With rising inflation and costs of living, immense pressure has been put on pet parents With nowhere else to go for help, a growing number are turning to Toronto Humane Society for support to ensure they can stay with their beloved pet.

$20,000 would ensure sustainability of our community support programs that are needed now more than ever. Programs such as the Pet Parent Support Network, Pet Food Bank, and the Urgent Care program that help to keep more families together and more pets out of the shelter system.

More specifically $20,000 at Toronto Humane Society would:

Provide support to over 1,300 pet parents through the Pet Parent Support Network

Supply over 760 pounds of pet food through our Pet Food Bank

Enroll 39 pets into the Urgent Care program for one month each

How You Can Help

Make a Donation: Visit CanadaHelps.org and make the minimum donation of $3. Every dollar you donate increases our chance of winning the prize draw

Spread the Word: Tell your friends, family, and followers on social media about the Great Canadian Giving Challenge and how $20,000 will greatly help Toronto Humane Society to continue to support animals and their families in need.

Join us for a Gender and Sexuality Inclusion Workshop in celebration of Pride Month

Did you know that 29% of Toronto Humane Society staff, and 12% to 18% of volunteers and foster parents, identify as a member of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities? In the spirit of Pride month, we are excited to announce a special training session aimed at fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment for members of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities. The workshop, titled "Creating a Culture of Respect for Gender and Sexual Diversity," will be open to all staff, volunteers, and foster parents who are interested in enhancing their understanding and promoting inclusivity.

Led by the knowledgeable and passionate Christopher Buchner, Manager of Volunteer Services, this training promises to provide valuable insights and tools for creating safer and more inclusive spaces With a focus on education and awareness, participants will gain increased knowledge about sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. By learning and discussing these important topics, we can work together to build a more supportive and understanding community.

Additionally, the workshop will delve into the impact of homophobia and transphobia By understanding the negative effects of these prejudices, participants will develop a deeper appreciation for the importance of creating an accepting and supportive environment for everyone, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation

Here are the key learning outcomes you can expect from this workshop:

Increased knowledge: Participants will gain a greater understanding of the intricacies of sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. This knowledge will help foster a more inclusive and respectful environment

Awareness of impact: Participants will explore the far-reaching effects of homophobia and transphobia. By recognizing the harm caused by these prejudices, we can all work towards dismantling them and creating a more accepting society.

Practical tools: Through interactive discussions and activities, participants will identify practical

tools and practices to create safer and more inclusive environments for 2S/LGBTQ+ people These insights will empower individuals to make a positive difference in their personal and professional lives.

We understand that everyone has unique preferences for attending events, so we have scheduled the workshop on two different occasions to accommodate different needs:

1 Wednesday, June 14th, from 9:00am to 12:00 pm (virtual session on Zoom): For those who prefer the convenience and comfort of attending remotely, you can join us online for an interactive and engaging session This virtual session will not be recorded to ensure a safe and confidential environment. Register to attend on Zoom.

2 Thursday, June 15th, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm (inperson session in the Boardroom): For those who thrive in face-to-face interactions, we have arranged an in-person session in our Boardroom

E-mail dei@torontohumanesocietycom to register for this session If you have any accommodation requests for either the virtual or in-person session, please email dei@torontohumanesocietycom

Please mark your calendars and join us for this important workshop as we come together to celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity, and create a culture of respect for gender and sexual diversity. Together, we can make a positive impact and build a more accepting and inclusive community for all Happy Pride Month!

Dress Code Reminder

Effective June 1st, all staff and volunteers who work in the clinic, training department, or animal housing departments are required to wear no slip shoes This is for your own safety because the floors are slippery when wet The shoes should have deep treads, which will help you keep your footing, be closed-toed, and labeled as non-slip shoes.

Staff members who work with animals should be wearing pants that cover their legs– no leggings, yoga pants, shorts, or skirts / dresses Those who work in the office can wear a skirt or dress With a “smart casual” dress code in place, this means that jeans without any rips or holes are acceptable Please refrain from wearing T-shirts with graphics and hats or headgear unless it’s for human rights or safety reasons.

Volunteers, adoption and training staff, and Animal Care Workers are asked to wear Toronto Humane Society labeled t-shirts to help public members identify them as a member of our team. If your role requires you to wear Toronto Humane Society gear, it will be provided to you by your manager.

The current dress code policy is being revised, but if you have any questions, please speak with your manager or a member of HR

Grab Your Foursome and attend a Golf Tournament That Supports Animals in Need

Whether you are an avid golfer, or want to support the wellbeing of animals, everyone is invited to attend Toronto Humane Society’s Humane Open golf tournament on June 28th.

Located at one of the most unique golf courses around, you will enjoy the large waste bunkers, loose rock outcroppings, and fairways lined with fescue at the Wyndance Golf Club located in Uxbridge, Ontario.

In addition to the beautiful scenery, you will receive a boxed lunch upon your arrival and hit the links for some friendly competition in a shotgun start Once you have finished, a buffet dinner will be presented, along with a great silent auction, which will allow attendees to mix and mingle while supporting animals in need, in our community and beyond.

There are a limited number of packages available for single players, twosomes, or foursomes. Register today to save your spot for you, your friends, family members, and colleagues

Event Details

Location: The Wyndance Golf Club in Uxbridge, Ontario. 450 Durham Road 21 Uxbridge, Ontario, L0C 1A0

Date: Wednesday, June 28th, 2023

Registration:11:30am

Shotgun Start: 1:30pm

Dinner: 7:00pm

Cost: $300 - $1,000 for a foursome

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 April.

Reuniting Max

Max was on April 3 in the Davenport area with a note about being a “good boy”, but his pet parents could no longer care for him due to financial difficulties In effort to reach out to Max’s parents to offer them enrollment into the Urgent Care program, big media outlets such as The Star and CityNews covered his story up until he was adopted by another family.

Supporting Pets and Pet Guardians with the Urgent Care Program

Toronto Humane Society Chief Operating Officer, Phil Nichols, appeared on CBC Radio One Toronto to discuss the Urgent Care Foster program as an open access program that provides care and support for pets and guardians. Dillon Dodson, Senior Social Worker at Toronto Humane Society, was interviewed on Global News about the Urgent Care program as well, and the profound challenges that pet parents deal with.

Adoptable Animals

Many prominent media outlets featured animals that are available for adoption – such as The Toronto Sun’s Forever Friend feature that highlighted one-year-old Shepherd mix, Dexter.

April Media Stats:

Mentions: 491

Impressions: 466,043,745

Other Media Hits:

Toronto dog abandoned with note from family finds new home

Pedal-powered bars return to Toronto this spring but there's a catch

Pedal Pub Toronto offering discounted, limited-time bar crawls in support of Toronto Humane Society

The New Classical FM Pet of the Week: Buster and Mortimer

Fanta the cat is looking for a new lovely home in the Toronto area

Global News Pet Profile: Noah

You could win big with Toronto Humane Society's spring raffle while supporting pets in need

This Hour with Angie Seth: Interview with Dillon Dodson

The New Classical FM Pet of the Week: Obi

Princess Sparkles the cat is looking for a new lovely home in the Toronto area

Max, the dog abandoned in Toronto parkette, officially goes up for adoption

The Globe and Mail: Why is your cat mad? Maybe it's because you're not listening

Doggin' it at the office: Employers are using dog visits to entice employees back to work Don't forget about your pets when making your will

The New Classical FM Pet of the Week: Gyu Gyu

Dumbo the cat is looking for a new lovely home in the Toronto area

Global News Pet Profile: Dolly

Global Pet Profile: Tata and Copito

Lola the cat is looking for a new lovely home in the Toronto area

Volunteer Updates

Volunteer Spotlight of the Month

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 on staff/volunte

This Month we Megha J!

When joining volunteer back “opportunity t delightful cats experiences”

Having an affinity for animals, she experiences a sense of happiness when she’s around animals, especially cats Now, over 6 years later, and over 390 volunteer hours under her belt, Megha has learned and gained even more love and appreciation for cats.

With all the experience and knowledge, Megha comments that she is now able to see so much more nuance in feline actions and body language.

Megha not only does feline enrichment, but she also took on the role of feline training assistant where she aids the trainers in assessing feline behaviour and implementing behaviour modification plans.

Even now, after all these years and spending hundreds of hours enriching and helping train our cats, Megha commented that watching cats adapt, learn, evolve and overcome challenges fills her with a sense of wonder and inspires her in her own life

Megha, you are an inspiration to us all, and we cannot thank you enough for all the hard work and time you put into improving the lives of our cats. You are truly amazing! Please join us in celebrating Megha this month!

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Anniversaries

Please join us in celebrating volunteers who are reaching a milestone anniversary this month!

5 Years: Cat Treats

Loretta, C – Feline Care

Please note that Temptations are the only treats that should be used for cat enrichment. Having one treat amongst all our felines helps our medical team know what a cat is eating if they get sick If you do not need any Temptations in the treat bin, please let a staff member know

However, if there is a “No Treat” sign on a cat’s kennel, this means that they cannot have any treats – including Temptations This may be because they have an upset tummy, are on a special diet, or just had dental surgery and need to stay away from crunchy foods.

Summer Vacation

With summer quickly approaching, many of us may be planning a little getaway time. If possible while you’re still in Toronto and have extra time on your hands, we ask that you be open to picking up a few extra volunteer shifts This will help us to continue to give the animals onsite the attention, enrichment and love they deserve.

If you are planning to take a vacation for longer than 2 weeks, please let the Volunteer Department know. We are immensely grateful for your dedication and support, which remains the backbone of our organization's mission Thank you for considering this heartfelt request Together, we can make a difference and create a summer filled with joy and enrichment for our incredible animals

Canine Playgroup Training (For Purple and Yellow Canine Care volunteers)

Canine Playgroup training is being rolled out to all canine volunteers who are purple level trained and above This training is an opportunity to offer our resident dogs a great enrichment option and is also an awesome skills development opportunity for our canine staff and volunteers who want to continue to learn about dog behaviour and socialization You only need to book one training session, but you are more than welcome to attend more than once if you feel it would be useful for you Please click here to book your Canine Care Training

Build a Stronger Bond with Your Dog by Enrolling into a Training Class

Whether you have recently gotten a new dog, or you are looking for something new to try with your pup, training classes at Toronto Humane Society may be a great option for you.

We offer a variety of group training classes including puppy classes, adult dog foundation classes, and more advanced dog sport classes like rally-o, scent detection, and tricks

We have classes running regularly so you won’t have to wait long to begin your training journey with your canine pal. You can explore all the group classes and other training services we offer on our online booking system

If you aren’t sure what may be the best class for you, contact our Public Training team at publictraining@torontohumanesocietycom

Animal Talk Summer 2023: Providing Access to Care to Preserve the Human-Animal Bond

Every animal that we have ever bonded with taught us something valuable. Whether that was how to love unconditionally, how to let things go, or how to stop and smell the roses every once in a while – they left an everlasting mark on us

Imagine losing this bond because the cost of basic veterinary care was too high Sadly, this is the reality for many pet parents across North America As prices of everything from food, gas, and basic necessities soar higher than before, affordable pet care has also become scarce. With limited resources available, some pet parents must choose between putting food in their bowls or putting food in their pet’s bowls.

While they do what they can to budget and plan for their pet’s wellbeing, sometimes the unexpected happens and they’re faced with an even bigger cost dilemma: pay thousands of dollars for an emergency vet bill, surrender the animal, or euthanize them

When access to affordable care is jeopardized, the human-animal bond is at risk too.

In the Summer 2023 edition of Animal Talk, you’ll read about community programs and services that help preserve this unique relationship – such as the Pet Parent Support Network By simply listening to the needs of pet parents and offering them alternative solutions such as training and behaviour classes, pet food, and subsidized veterinary services, 33% of potential animal surrenders were diverted in 2022

We also go beyond our walls to provide support to pets and their families. Our outreach service provides pop-up animal wellness clinics to communities that have limited access to veterinary care. Not only do these clinics provide affordable preventative care options such as spayand-neuter surgeries, vaccines, and flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives, but they also provide a lifeline to community members.

The Summer 2023 edition of Animal Talk will be printed and shared digitally in mid-June 2023 Stay tuned!

Staff Announcements & Career Opportunities

Staff Announcements

Toronto Humane Society is continually growing! Here is a list of new staff members that joined our team last month.

Lauryn Weinberger - Development Officer, Signature Events & Gaming

Lucas Solowey – Coordinator, Public Relations

We've also had some members move into different roles

Gwynn - Development Officer, Grants and Foundations

Jess Tartaglia - Assistant Manager, Public Training Services & Care Support

Lauren McIntyre - Service Manager, Shelter

Veterinary Care

Rachel Fortin – Assistant Manager, Shelter

Veterinary Care

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@torontohumanesocietycom

There are currently no job openings.

Caring for 2 Mothers and Their 19 Puppies

On April 27, 2023, Ava and her 7 puppies, and a very pregnant 1-year-old pup named Pickles, arrived at Toronto Humane Society after their long journey from Northern Ontario

Thanks to our amazing foster parents, Ava and her little cheese family (Brie, Asiago, Mascarpone, Cotija, Burrata, Colby and Boursin) quickly went into a foster home less than 28 hours after arriving

We sent a social media shoutout to help find Pickles a foster home before she gave birth, but she had other plans Pickles began to give birth in the shelter the morning of May 2nd By the afternoon, Pickles amazed the staff with the grand total of 11 puppies! Dill, Gherkin, Bread, Butter, Kimchi, Relish, Cornichons, Bicks, Spears, Rick and Salad

Thankfully another foster parent offered to take Pickles and all 11 of her little pickles and picked them all up on May 5th Everyone is happy and well in their foster homes

We’d like to extend a massive shout-out to everyone involved in helping these adorable 19 puppies receive the care, love, and attention they need to grow healthy and strong! After they receive all their vaccines and spay and neuter surgeries, the puppies and their moms will become available for adoption

Education Series - Troubleshooting Problem Behaviours

Join us virtually on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 5:00pm – 6:00pm

If you're looking for help treating your dog’s unwanted behaviours, or just curious about why dogs do what they do, this webinar may be what you’re looking for. Led by certified canine trainer, Louise Lawrence, this webinar will discuss how to navigate helping your dog learn good manners while eliminating unwanted behaviours like jumping, nipping, mouthing, vocalizing and barking. Click here to regsiter to the meeting via Zoom

15 Rabbits Find Their Forever Homes

From April 15th to May 15th, 2023, we offered 50% off rabbit adoption fees to help more of our fluffy friends find their forever homes

We’re happy to share that 15 bunnies were adopted during the campaign, including long-stay bonded pairs Hip Hop and Soul, Bugsy and Greywind, and Cadbury and La Bamba!

Gabriel and Lavender were also amongst the bonded pair of bunnies that were adopted They were renamed to Ebony and Ivory, and here is an update from their forever family.

“It’s been a week since I’ve adopted Ebony and Ivory and it’s been quite the learning experience I have changed my daily routine to incorporate the buns in my life. I’ve been waking up earlier to make sure they’re fed and to clean their enclosure more often As of today, I have completely bunny proofed the condo (hopefully) and now they are free roaming. So far, it’s been good. There is lots of binkies, though they still try to get under the couch which has been blocked off with a fence Now their main adversary appears to be my robot vacuum which they have been jumping on and off constantly. This is just week one of many more to come!"

We’d like to extend a special thank you to everyone who had a hand spreading awareness about the adoption promotion. From those who talked about the rabbits, to those who submitted photos and videos, and those who shared their posts on social media, everyone’s efforts helped these adorable bunnies find their new families.

Alfred

Orlock

Bugsy & Greywind

Ebony & Ivory

Grasshopper & Cricket

One Month, Two Community Days, Over 6,000 Pounds of Food

On May 4th, 2023, we held our first off-site Community Day event of the year, and it was a success! Our team handed out over 2,000 pounds of dog food and approximately 1,500 pounds of cat food to community members who needed a bit of support

On May 11th, 2023, we held our monthly Community Day event onsite. An infographic of this event’s impact is displayed to your right

As community members continue to reach out for help, Toronto Humane Society will continue to answer their call by sharing the resources and supplies we have

Our next Community Day event will be held on Thursday, June 15th. If you know anyone who is in need of pet food and supplies, such as carriers and crates, please invite them to our Community Day events.

Supporting our Foster Parents with an Around the Clock Telemedicine Service – Vetster

Has your pet ever eaten something potentially toxic, but you weren’t sure what to do? Has your pet injured themselves while out and about? Has your pet started acting weird all of a sudden and you’re not sure if it’s a sign of something serious? We’ve all been there.

Instead of picking up our pets and running to the veterinary clinic or animal emergency hospital, pet parents can use a telemedicine service, like Vetster, for guidance on how to address their pet’s medical concerns If there is a cause for concern that can be addressed with a prescription, you could get one from a licensed veterinarian – from the comfort of your home!

By providing remote consultations through video or telephone calls, Vetster not only provides medical advice for your pet, but they also provide emotional support to pet parents during a time of crisis – and can potentially stop pet parents from having to cover unnecessary emergency medical bills.

Supporting Our Foster Parents with Vetster

We’ve recently teamed up with Vetster to support our foster parents in case of an emergency Vetster ensures round-the-clock availability, providing constant support to pet parents throughout their entire day and night.

This partnership gives our foster parents a peace of mind when they’re caring for animals with all sorts of different backgrounds – such as a senior dog who is recovering from a major surgery, a cat who is suffering with itchy skin, or a mother rabbit who delivered 6 kits at the stroke of midnight

Whatever the medical case, whatever the time, Vetster is available to help.

Would You Like to Know More About Vetster?

You can be prepared for any health concerns that may arise with your pet by creating a free Vetster account today Learn more about their 24/7 telemedicine services by visiting their website

Upcoming Events

National Indigenous History Month

A month that celebrates Indigenous history, culture, and diversity across Canada.

Pride Month

Pride Month is a celebration of the LGBTQ2+ community. It is also a time to raise awareness of the issues that the LGBT2Q+ community faces and the continued fight for equality

Juneteenth

June 19th

Also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States

Animal Rights Awareness Week

June 19th to June 25th

A week to raise awareness and advocate for the rights and humane treatment of all animals

Pet Appreciation Week

June 4th to June 10th

A week to celebrate the importance of pets and what they mean to us.

World Environment Day

June 5th

A day to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment.

Father's Day

June 18th

A day to honour and show gratitude towards fathers/father figures.

Dragon Boat Festival

June 22nd to June 25th

A day to remember China’s first poet and famous scholar, Qu Yuan. Many activities that mark this day are done to protect those who celebrate against disease and evil spirits. It also celebrated with shared meals and Dragon Boat races

Click here to read more dates that we are acknowledging this month.