HUMANEINSIDER
FEATURED ARTICLES
Holiday Pet Pics Event Starts This Weekend
Page 2
Launching Our 50/50 Fall Campaign Page 3
Save the Date: Giving Tuesday is December 3rd Page 3
Toronto Humane Society in the News
Page 4
Get Ready for Our Black Friday Sale Page 5
Pre-Order Your 2025 New Beginnings Calendar Page 5
Volunteer Updates
Page 7,8
Staff Announcements & Career Opportunities Page 9
A Successful Hurricane Relief Effort – 16 New Beginnings!
Page 10
Community Day Success: Positive Feedback and High Ratings Page 11
Celebrating Our Public Training & Behaviour Program’s Success Page 12
Recap: Purpose & Learning Day (Halloween Edition)
Page 13
Upcoming Events
Page 14
Holiday Pet Pics Event Starts This Weekend
Toronto Humane Society’s Holiday Pet Pics event is back by popular demand, and this year, it’s bigger and better than ever! This year’s event will feature two weekends full of holiday cheer, professional pet photos, and a brand-new Mini Holiday Market! Here are the details:
Event Details:
Dates: November 9-10 and November 16-17
Time: 15-minute photo sessions, from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Toronto Humane Society
Price: $50 per session
What’s Included:
15-minute photo session (two sessions booked every 30 minutes)
A minimum of 3 professionally edited photos
A 2025 New Beginnings Calendar as a special thank you
A gift bag from Chewy (valued at $30)
Access to our Mini Holiday Market, featuring vendors like Crumps Naturals, David’s Tea, and a delicious bake sale!
Book Your Session Today! Spots fill up fast, so make sure to book in advance at www.torontohumanesociety.com/holidaypetpics and secure your chance to create lasting holiday memories with your furry friend
Interested in Volunteering?
This is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers to get involved, celebrate the holiday season, and help Toronto Humane Society continue making a difference If you're interested in lending a helping hand (or baking something delicious for our bake sale), reach out to Nathan from Volunteer Services, and let’s make this event a holiday hit!
Launching Our 50/50 Fall Campaign
We are excited to announce the launch of our 50/50 Fall Raffle, running from November 4th until December 16th! This is a great opportunity to support our mission while potentially winning big.
While staff and board members are not eligible to participate, our amazing volunteers and foster parents can absolutely join in and purchase tickets.
Every ticket purchased will not only give you a chance to win the jackpot but also contribute to keeping more pets in the picture by supporting our work.
Purchase your tickets online at www.torontohumanesocietylotto.com
This global day of giving follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday, encouraging individuals to give back to their communities and support causes they care about This is a special opportunity to make a difference in the lives of animals at Toronto Humane Society.
This year, every donation you make will be matched by Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets and Supplements, doubling your impact!
Stay tuned to learn about Lara the playful cat looking for dangerous adrenaline rushes, shy Cinnabunny, and Pepper the tiny dog with the gigantic, life-altering hernia, and how donations like yours help animals like them start their next chapter.
Let’s come together to make this Giving Tuesday one to remember We can't wait to share more details with you as the date approaches!
Toronto Humane Society in the News
In September, Toronto Humane Society garnered significant media attention with 130 mentions and an impressive 84,702,057 impressions. A major portion of the coverage came from TV (80%), followed by news articles (18%) and a small portion from radio (2%) Here’s a recap of the buzz surrounding Toronto Humane Society in September.
Paws in the Park:
Toronto Humane Society’s annual Paws in the Park fundraising event was held on September 28, 2024, at 11 River Street. The event included activities like face painting, a beverage garden, and pet adoption tours The Toronto Sun shared an article before the event, and CP 24 interviewed a Toronto Humane Society adopter at the event.
International Rabbit Day:
Lucas Solowey, Manager of Public Relations, appeared on CityNews Toronto to celebrate International Rabbit Day, introducing some of the adorable bunnies available for adoption at Toronto Humane Society
Adoption Features
Several news articles spotlighted adoptable pets at Toronto Humane Society, including Peanut, Bumble, Mac, Hailey, and Tiger, helping raise awareness about adoption opportunities
Other Stories:
Charitable Choices: Kirsti Clarida of the Toronto Humane Society
Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown Dog Dip Event
Dillon Appears CBC Kids with Bunderful and Bunstoppable
Dillon Appears on CBC Kids with Jim the Turtle
Volunteer Updates
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:
Alison M, Canine Care, Special Species Care & Corporate Events Volunteer
Rohit S, Canine Care Volunteer
10 Years:
Alison B, Canine Care Volunteer
Stephanie D, Canine Care Volunteer
Holiday Pet Pics Volunteers Needed!
We will be hosting a Holiday Pet Pic event at Toronto Humane Society coming up in November over the course of two weekends The event will be happening on the weekend of November 9th and 10th, as well as the weekend of November 16th and 17th We are looking for volunteers to fill several roles throughout the event Listed below are all the shifts and shift times. Please email Nathan (nschwartz@torontohumanesociety.com) if you are interested in a role(s), and let him know which day (or days if you can do multiple) you are able to help with and what shift time(s) you want Thank you so much in advance!
Roles:
Baker - Bake treats (muffins, bars, squares, cakes, cupcakes, etc.) at home and deliver them to 11 River Street the day of, or the day before, the event. 20 volunteers needed
Registration/Sign In - Sign in guests for the event 8 volunteers needed
Shift times: 9:00AM– 12:00PM & 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Animal Handler – Assist the photographer by engaging the animal(s) taking photos. You may have to make funny noises, gestures, etc. to get the animal to look in the camera's direction 8 volunteers needed
Shift times: 9:00AM – 11:00AM & 1:00PM – 4:00PM
David’s Tea Assistant – Pour pre-made tea for attendees and take payment 8 volunteers needed Shift times: 9:00AM – 12:00PM & 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Bake Sale Assistant – Package or serve baked goods to guests and take payment 8 volunteers needed
Shift times: 9:00AM – 12:00PM & 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Retail Assistant – Help sell holiday cards and sweaters to guests and take payment 8 volunteers needed
Shift times: 9:00AM – 12:00PM & 1:00PM – 4:00PM
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.
This Month we would like to shine a spotlight on Heather H.!
how to be a good friend to them” Understanding this has helped her learn to “help nervous and fearful cats feel safe around us humans.”
One experience that stuck with her was meeting the dog Mr Bee She would visit him while he was in shelter and was ecstatic when he eventually got adopted. “It is amazing seeing animals go from being in need to finding their forever home” Now, as a feline volunteer, she enjoys, “getting to see cats I work with get adopted”. She also has loved, “getting to meet the other humans at Toronto Humane Society who love animals so much, both employees and volunteers”
under a year, her passion and desire to volunteer with Toronto Humane Society reaches much further back. “Volunteering at THS was a childhood dream of mine honestly I've always loved animals, especiallycats and dogs, and enjoy spending time with them and want to help animals live happy lives.” When the time came that she had the time to volunteer, she immediately applied and now, ten months later, has already made an incredible impact She has volunteered as an admissions service agent and is now a feline care volunteer.
In her time volunteering with us, she’s learned a lot including, “how to read animal body language and
Overall, she has greatly enjoyed her experience as a volunteer thus far. “Toronto Humane Society does great work and getting to help, in any small way I can, is deeply rewarding” Well, Heather, we find it deeply rewarding to have people like you volunteer with us. Your love and dedication shines through in all that you do, and we look forward to having you volunteer with us for many years to come
Please join us in celebrating Heather this month!
Volunteer and Foster Parent Town Hall
Date: Thursday, November 28 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm.
Event Details: This is forum for us to connect with our volunteers and foster parents to share important updates, get your input and/or answer any questions you may have! In this town hall, participants will hear from:
Volunteer Department
Foster Department Shelter Care
Adoption Department
Location: Zoom - Town Hall Registration to register
Get Ready for Our Black Friday Sale
Exciting news! Starting in mid-November, our online retail store will be launching a Black Friday Sale, and it’s packed with amazing deals just in time for the holiday season
Here’s a sneak peek of to expect:
10% Off Accessories: Stock up on our popular tote bag and mug accessories! They make perfect gifts or additions to your own collection Huge Discounts on Winter Gear: Get ready for the cold weather with massive savings on winter coats, leashes, and collars for your pets
Exclusive Bundle Offer: For just $70, you can grab a limited-time bundle that includes a hoodie, a tote bag, and our 2025 calendar.
Please Note: While our Black Friday sale offers unbeatable prices, your staff and volunteer discount codes cannot be combined with these promotions However, we’re excited to offer a selected few designs of sweaters available for purchase with your discount codes at 11 River Street. Don’t miss out on this chance to snag some Toronto Humane Society gear at a discount!
Stay tuned for more details, and let’s make this Black Friday our best one yet!
Pre-Order Your 2025 New Beginnings Calendar
We’re thrilled to announce the release of our highly anticipated 2025 New Beginnings Calendar, showcasing heartwarming stories of pets who were able to start their next chapter thanks to the incredible efforts of our staff, volunteers, foster families, and the generous support of our donors The calendar is available for $25, including shipping, and all proceeds directly support the lifesaving work we do every day. Supplies are limited, so be sure to order online before they’re gone!
Staff Announcements & Career Opportunities
Staff Announcements
Toronto Humane Society is continually growing!
Here is a list of new staff members who have joined our team or moved internally
Daniel Assadourian, Administrative Assistant Fundraising
Nike Adegebo, Senior Accountant
Claire Westbrook, Animal Care Worker
Nicole Heitor, Client Service Agent
Diego Arboleda, Animal Care Worker
Fiona Emdin, Veterinarian
Cassandra Wellar, Adoption Agent
Megan Doyle, Supervisor Clinical Care
Leah Broad, Registered Veterinary Technician
Carol Boulding, Chief People Officer
Career Opportunities
Toronto Humane Society is committed to Improving the Lives of Animals 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
Current Job Openings:
Case Manager
Client Service Agent - Public Veterinary Services
Supervisor, Sheltering Programs
Senior Manager, Shelter
Registered Veterinary Technician - Public Veterinary Services - Casual Part Time
A Successful Hurricane Relief Effort – 16 New
Beginn
Our recent hurricane relief effort successfully brought 16 dogs from the southern United States to Ontario, providing them with safety and new beginnings. Thanks to the outstanding dedication and teamwork across our organization, we were able to find placements for these dogs, and it’s an achievement we should all feel proud of Here’s the breakdown:
6 dogs went to facilitated partners
8 dogs were placed in foster homes upon arrival
The remaining dogs are settling in with us at 11 River St as they await loving homes.
Community Day Success: Positive Feedback and High Ratings
We are thrilled to share the fantastic results from our recent Community Day Feedback survey Our team received an outstanding average rating of 4.89 out of 5 stars, reflecting the incredible impact of our work and the gratitude of the people and pets we serve Here are some heartfelt testimonials from attendees:
"You are all amazing!! This has been a needed blessing for me and my pets that I am so grateful for. Thank you so very much to all of you for your kindness and care. Always especially grateful when you have soft cat food available as well. Love the new system you have set up, so much more fair for everyone! Thank you!! God Bless You All."
"Keep doing this I'm so grateful for helping us with my dogs and cat. God bless you all."
"This service is a good thing for the community. Diane, Neil, and Bev are great."
The positive response to our new system has been especially uplifting. We're proud of the care and kindness our team consistently delivers, and it’s clear our efforts are making a meaningful difference Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this Community Day a success! Let’s keep up the great work!
Celebrating Our Public Training & Behaviour Program’s Success
We are incredibly proud to share some fantastic feedback about our Public Training and Behaviour Program, which has been met with overwhelming praise from our clients throughout the month of October! Since launching our client feedback survey back in June, they have consistently received positive responses, with an impressive average rating of 49/5 stars
In October alone, over twenty clients left glowing 5-star reviews. One client, Mikaela, shared:
"The trainer was amazing. My puppy and I learned so much, and I noticed an incredible difference in behavior."
Ama, another satisfied participant, wrote:
"Very well-run class! Lots of training in a short period of time. Learned great basics and advanced training "
These ratings are a testament to the dedication and expertise of our highly qualified training team.
Every positive review feels like the ultimate “click/treat” moment for our trainers, motivating them to continue delivering top-notch services. We’re especially proud to offer these programs at accessible prices, ensuring that all members of our community can benefit from compassionate, professional training.
Thank you to everyone who has participated and shared their experiences Your feedback drives our team to keep improving and innovating our services!
Recap: Purpose & Learning Day (Halloween Edition)
On October 30, 2024, Toronto Humane Society hosted its last Purpose & Learning Day of 2024, and it was a fantastic success! Staff, volunteers, and foster parents gathered for an afternoon filled with education, engagement, and plenty of Halloweenthemed fun
Event Highlights
Updates from Leadership: Team members received valuable quarterly updates from our leadership, highlighting our ongoing initiatives and achievements.
Delicious Food & Refreshments: A big thank you to our friends at Saigon Lotus for providing mouthwatering spring rolls, Bahn Mi, and delectable desserts from Sweets from the Earth and Sheller’s foster mom Everyone left feeling satisfied!
Engaging Workshops: Participants attended a variety of informative workshops, including:
Teaching Across Species with Shannen McNee and Dr. Jacklyn Ellis, featuring an adorable goat training demonstration and interactive human training
Cooperative Care Procedures with Claire Blumenthal, focusing on incorporating agency and consent into daily animal care.
Basic Leash Skills with Benani Choudhury, where attendees practiced handling techniques with shelter and foster dogs
We also enjoyed seeing staff, volunteers, and foster parents get into the Halloween spirit and show up in costumes, adding an extra layer of fun and creativity to the day!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this event from organizing the workshops and preparing food to participating with enthusiasm. Your efforts help foster a sense of community and deepen our collective commitment to animal welfare
We look forward to seeing everyone at our next Purpose & Learning Day in the new year!
Upcoming Events
g raise awareness about prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health and suicide prevention
Diwali
November 1st
Diwali or Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights and the Hindu New Year Diwali lasts for 5 days: Day 1 - New Year for business, Day 2 - the triumph of god Vishnu over the evil demon, Day 3Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity visits homes lit by lamps, Day 4 - Bali worship day, Day 5 - devoted to brothers and sisters
International Inuit Day
November 7th
A day to honour the culture and history of Inuit people and affirm their voices across the circumpolar world.
Remembrance Day
November 11th
A day to honour and remember the people who have served, and continue to serve, Canada during times of war and conflict. It’s also an opportunity to remember the wartime contributions of animals
World Diabetes Day
October 14th
World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign focusing on diabetes
Ascension of Abdu'l-Bahá
November 26th-27th
A day to commemorate the death of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the eldest son and successor of Baha’u’llah
Click here to read more dates that we are acknowledging this month