HUMANEINSIDER
Volunteer Spotlight - Molly C.! - page 5
Adrian Fracassi - Page10
Black Friday Sale - Page 8
Sarge- Page 13
Purpose and Learning Day - Page 12
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Holiday Pet Pics: A Warm and Joyful Success
Page 1
Giving Tuesday: Double the Impact for Pets Like Maggie Page 2
First Expansion Site Opening Soon at 632 Queen Street East Page 3
Staff Announcements & Career Opportunities Page 4
November Volunteer Updates Page 5 & 6
Toronto Humane Society in the News: October Media Impact Recap Page 7
Black Friday Sale – Exclusive Bundles Now Available Page 8
Meet the Team: Staff Q&A with Adrian Fracassi, Case Manager - Urgent Care program Page 9, 10, 11
Recap: Our Final Purpose and Learning Day of the Year Page 12
Happy Tails: Sarge Page 13
December DEI Calendar 2025 Page 14
Holiday Pet Pics: A Warm and Joyful Success
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s Holiday Pet Pics event! From the moment doors opened, our team and volunteers created a warm, festive atmosphere that welcomed families and their pets with enthusiasm and care
We are especially grateful to the volunteers who assisted in every aspect of the day from greeting attendees and managing registration to supporting the photo sessions, retail area, and bake sale booth Your professionalism and kindness ensured the event ran smoothly and left a strong, positive impression on everyone who attended.
A heartfelt thank-you also goes out to our talented bakers The brownies, cookies, jarred treats, and other homemade goodies were a huge hit and played a meaningful role in the day’s fundraising success.
Thanks to everyone’s incredible teamwork, the event raised approximately $7,000 in support of our lifesaving work. Your contributions help make the season brighter for pets and families who rely on us
Giving Tuesday: Double the Impact for Pets Like Maggie
Giving Tuesday is almost here, and we are excited to share that all donations are being matched up to $10,000, thanks to the generous support of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets This match creates an incredible opportunity to double the impact of every gift made today supporting pets and families who rely on our compassionate care
With the rising cost of living, many families are struggling to provide the care their pets need. As a result, more animals are arriving at our doors, each with a story shaped by love, hardship, and the hope of a new beginning Across Canada, a pet is surrendered every 17 minutes — a reminder of just how vital our work is.
This year’s campaign highlights stories like Maggie’s.
Maggie, a 7-year-old dog, arrived as a stray thin, matted, and covered in burrs Despite her condition, she greeted our team with a gentle, affectionate spirit that instantly captured hearts. Thanks to comprehensive medical care and the dedication of our staff and volunteers, Maggie transformed beautifully Her energy returned, her personality blossomed, and before long, she found a loving new home.
Stories like Maggie’s demonstrate exactly what Giving Tuesday makes possible How staff and volunteers can support the campaign:
Share our Giving Tuesday posts on your personal social media channels. Help spread the word within your networks.
If you’re able to make a personal gift, your impact will be doubled today Please donate online here.
Engage with our posts comment, like, and share to help boost visibility.
Your support plays a crucial role in amplifying this campaign and ensuring more pets like Maggie can heal, grow, and begin their next chapter.
This Just In First Expansion Site Opening Soon at 632 Queen Street East
We are thrilled to announce that our first expansion site will officially open in January at 632 Queen Street East. This milestone represents one of the many steps we are taking to broaden access to veterinary care throughout Toronto, ensuring that more pet families can receive the support they need close to home.
The new clinic has been designed with the same compassionate, community-focused approach that defines our organization Over the next several weeks, we’ll be putting the finishing touches on the space, and we’re excited to share updates as we get closer to opening day
This expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting pets and families where they are, reducing barriers to care, and strengthening our ability to keep more pets and families together.
Stay tuned for photos, behind-the-scenes details, and more information as we prepare to open the doors.
Staff Announcements & Career Opportunities
New Hires
Say hello to our new Toronto Humane Society staff members!
New Hires:
Megan Thorton, Certified Animal Trainer
Jolin Weng, Animal Care Worker
Current Job Openings:
Veterinarian -Public Veterinary ServicesCasual
Registered Veterinary Technician- PVS -Full Time
Veterinary Assistant - Public Veterinary Services - Part Time
Veterinary Assistant - Public Veterinary Services - Full Time
Veterinarian, Wellness - Public Veterinary
Services - Full Time
November Volunteer Updates
New Fob Access
As you might have seen, we have added new fob readers at several doors throughout the building We have added fob readers to the door to room Q, M&G1, Kitty City and the upstairs stairwell door. The adoptions team will open the doors during adoption/animal viewing hours and will close them when done Please make sure to keep the door to room Q closed
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!
1 Year:
Holly C, Canine Care Volunteer and Foster Parent
10 Years:
Gay N, Canine and Feline Care Volunteer
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 at Toronto Humane Society based on staff/volunteer feedback
Volunteer Updates
Since starting to volunteer, she has learned a lot about dogs and their unique stories. “I’m continuously blown away by these dogs that have experienced such hardships but they are so forgiving towards us as humans and just want love and affection When I go in to see them I am overjoyed with warmth and feel really emotionally connected to them.” On top of that, she has also learned that no matter how many puppies there are, they all equally want her affection “Whether there is one puppy or seven they will all want to sleep in your lap at the exact same time and I wouldn’t change it for the world!”
All in all, Molly has very much been enjoying her time volunteering and spending time enriching the dogs. As she put it, “they just bring so much light and joy to my day” Well, Molly, you bring so much light and joy to Toronto Humane Society, and cannot express how grateful we are for all that you do. Keep up the great work!
Please join us in celebrating Molly this month!
Toronto Humane Society in the News: October Media Impact Recap
October was an exceptional month for media visibility, with 307 mentions across print, online, radio, and television generating more than 163 million impressions This level of coverage underscores the impact of the work you do each day and the growing public interest in our mission. Some of the top stories this month included:
Trap-Neuter-Return Blitz
Our team joined the Toronto Feral Cat Coalition and several local rescue partners to support a coordinated TNR effort aimed at reducing Toronto’s cat overpopulation The initiative was covered by the Canadian Press
Expanding Veterinary Care to Northern Ontario
CBC Radio One Thunder Bay featured our partnership with Mattawa Animal Wellness Services, highlighting our work to increase veterinary access in remote northern Ontario First Nations communities.
Adoption Spotlights
Pets like Classy, Rex, Khloye, Freya, Veda, and Nessie received valuable visibility across multiple platforms, helping raise awareness and connect these animals with potential adopters
Halloween Safety Tips
Lauralee Dorst offered timely advice for pet guardians navigating Halloween festivities and stressors coverage that appeared in the Toronto Sun.
Freya
Classy
Veda
Black Friday Sale – Exclusive Bundles Now Available
Our Black Friday Sale is happening now! From today until December 1st (or while supplies last), we have exclusive bundles available on our website for $75 each.
Some of these designs are one-of-a-kind, so once they’re gone, they’re gone forever – a great chance to grab something unique for yourself or as a gift
We also have a limited selection of hoodies, mugs, holiday tote bags, and cards available in the lobby
Please note: These bundles are already discounted, so staff and volunteer discounts do not apply online or in-store Don’t wait too long –get your favourites while supplies last Visit: shop.torontohumanesociety.com
Meet the Team: Staff Q&A with Adrian Fracassi, Case Manager - Urgent Care program
Tell us about your role at Toronto Humane Society! What do you do, and what do you love most about it?
My name is Adrian Fracassi, I’m a case manager in the Urgent Care program where we temporarily foster pets when the owners are experiencing housing instability, fleeing domestic violence or need access to treatment and are temporarily unable to watch their pets.
The part that I love the most about what I do is seeing owners reunited with their pets once foster care has ended, it is beautiful to see the human and animal bond that people have with their pets. I’ve always wanted to enter a profession where I can help and support people Working at Toronto Humane Society in the Urgent Care program is the perfect place for me since I’m able to use my social work skills to help people and I get to meet a variety of cats and dogs
It’s always great to see the monthly updates that we send owners when their pets are in foster care because it’s a chance to see the cats and dogs settled into their foster homes
What inspired you to work in animal welfare?
I’ve always had a love for animals since I was young I grew up with cats and hamsters in our home, it became a necessity for me to have pets in my life. We adopted one of our cats, Smokey, from Toronto Humane Society. She had 3 legs and lived to be over 20 years old, it was an honour to have her be a part of our family
At one point, my brother rescued cats who were abandoned in a parking lot just before the winter,
I brought home one of the kittens. My brother’s cat rescue mission helped guide me to a path where I knew that I wanted to work with animals For a while, I considered being a dog groomer so that I could have more experience working with animals, I was contemplating exploring different avenues that involved working with pets
I would frequently check the Toronto Humane Society careers page to see if they have any jobs available, once I was hired at Toronto Humane Society as a case manager, it felt like a dream come true It has been an honour to be part of a great organization that focuses on supporting people and their pets, an organization that focuses on reduces the financial barriers to support as many families as possible with accessible veterinary care and resources.
Where did you work before coming to Toronto Humane Society?
I completed my diploma and degree in Child and Youth Care. I have over a decade of experience working in the social service sector I started off my career working in a live in treatment with adults with dual diagnosis such as adults who are diagnosed severe intellectual disabilities and Autism, individuals with complex mental health conditions, individuals diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol syndrome, and other varying diagnoses I supported individuals in a home-like setting, supporting them with their daily needs, implementing skill programs based on their individual needs and taking them to appointments in the community.
I then transitioned into the school sector and worked in a day school which was a small classroom setting, supporting youth with complex mental health conditions and varying diagnoses. I supported students as a child and youth care worker, I have a vast amount of experience deescalating students who are in crisis, students who need assistance with practicing emotional regulation skills. I supported highly aggressive youth who became violent because they were unable to independently emotionally regulate themselves I gained a lot of experience in the school setting, organizing different program events such as field trips, yoga sessions, different arts and crafts activities and other program that interested the youth that I supported
Do you have any pets at home? Tell us about them!
I currently live at my father’s house, I am blessed to have 3 cats of my own, named Molly, Luna and Minx. We have our family cat, Lucy and my father adopted a cocker spaniel poodle, Bruno, one year
ago I help with taking care of all of the pets that we have at home.
What’s a memorable or heartwarming moment you’ve experienced while working here?
A heartwarming moment that I’ve experienced here involve an Urgent Care pet parent being reunited with their dog During the Urgent Care foster period, there was one pet parent that I supported, they are such a kind person with a big heart, they opened up to myself about what they were experiencing They had a big dog who is a rottweiler mix and is the sweetest girl I bonded with this dog when she came onsite and she was our office dog. When she was reunited with her owner, it was such a beautiful moment to see how happy they were to be reunited, everyone who was at the reunification cried with joy since it was such a beautiful moment.
What’s your go-to comfort food or favourite local spot to eat?
My go-to comfort food it sushi and Korean food! Yonge and Finch is a great intersection for Korean food, one of my favourite restaurants in that neighbourhood is Kayagum Kayagum has great variety of Korean food, they have great Bibimbap bowls.
What’s a piece of advice you’d give to someone new joining Toronto Humane Society?
If you could switch roles with someone for a day, who would it be and why?
If I could switch roles with someone for a day, I would love to be a veterinary assistance to support the clinic for a day Since joining the team at Toronto Humane Society, I’ve been so interested in learning more about veterinary care, learning about all the different animals and cases that they support From my experience so far, I see how intense the work can be and all the safety measures that are put into place It has really helped to grow my appreciation for what is involved on a daily basis to support all the patients that need veterinary care
What’s one fun fact about you that your coworkers might not know?
One fun fact about myself is that when I was younger, I took violin lessons for about 7 years, it helped grow my love for music When I was in high school, I was in a music program where I played flute, we competed in music competitions against other schools As I grew up, I will try to find time to play my instruments As an adult, I’ve focused on trying new activities and engaging in new adventures such as snowboarding and indoor rock climbing.
My advice for someone new joining the team at Toronto Humane Society is to make sure that you advocate to observe every department to understand how they operate Every department at Toronto Humane Society delivers dedicated services to the clients they support (both human and animals) It’s important to understand how every team operates to really see all the hard work and dedication that goes into each department.
Recap: Our Final Purpose and Learning Day of the Year Events
As the year came to a close, we were thrilled to host our final Purpose and Learning Day and what a wonderful day it was! Attendees enjoyed the festive gingerbread house decorating contest, indulged in delicious food from Saigon Lotus, and left inspired by our guest speaker.
We were honoured to welcome Dr Crystal Giesbrecht, who spoke about the Violence Link and ways we can better support families experiencing interpersonal and family violence She shared valuable insights on animal maltreatment within the context of family violence, highlighted her leading research in this area, and underscored the important work Toronto Humane Society is advancing to support both people and animals affected by violence
A big thank you to everyone who attended and participated your engagement helps strengthen our collective knowledge and compassion, ensuring that we continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them.
It was a truly memorable way to close out our Purpose and Learning Days for the year!
Happy Tails: Sarge
We adopted Sarge this summer after watching for a cattle dog type to come through the shelter My last dog (and best friend in the whole entire world) had DNA tested large part cattle dog, which got me interested in the breed. Sarge has a bobbed tail so seems to be a “stumpy tail cattle dog” which is a real thing says the internet
True to the breed he is incredibly smart, loyal, and full of energy We are just starting to scratch the surface of what he’s capable of learning, and the athleticism of his little body! What I didn’t expect was how snuggly he is when the day is over, and that has been an adorable bonus.
We send him to daycare during some of the workdays to help keep up with his needs and they have let us know a couple times that he is a friend to all, even helping make the newer arrivals feel at ease. He is still trying to win over the affections of our other (older) dog, but is making great strides
He has quickly become an inseparable part of our family, always ready for an adventure and always keeping us laughing, playing, and moving Sarge may not have a tail but his story definitely will and we are so lucky to be the ones writing it with him.
December DEI Calendar 2025
dignity and freedoms of every person worldwide, while recognizing how compassion, equity, and justice strengthen the work carried out across animal welfare and community care.
Giving Tuesday
December 2nd
A day of generosity that encourages people to give back in meaningful ways, whether through donations, volunteering, or acts of kindness. It serves as a reminder of the collective impact communities can make when they come together to support causes that create positive change.
The Nationals Day of Remembrance of Action on Violence Against Women
December 6th
Honours the 14 women whose lives were taken at Montréal École Polytechnique in 1989 and recognizes all those affected by gender-based violence
December 14th – December 22nd
The Jewish Festival of Lights is a traditional eightday celebration that honours resilience and community It is a time for gatherings and lighting the menorah, sharing meals and reflecting on and celebrating hope
Christmas Day
December 25th
Celebrated by Christians around the world as the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing traditions, and embracing the themes of peace, compassion, and goodwill
New Year’s Eve
December 31st
A moment of transition, as people around the world gather to acknowledge the year’s end and welcome the possibilities ahead.
Click here to read more dates that we are acknowledging during December.
Hanukkah