HUMANEINSIDER
FEATURED ARTICLES
Our Pumpkin Spice (and Everything Nice) Shop is Open Page 2
Temporary Increase in Capacity to Support Hurricane Relief Efforts Page 3
Purpose and Learning Day Page 4
Announcing Our Monthly Clicker Training Games Club Page 5
Toronto Humane Society in the News Page 6
Honouring Our Heroes in Animal Care During Veterinary Professionals Appreciation Week Page 7
Volunteer Updates Page 8,9
Streamlining Urgent Care Foster Medical Appointments: A Step Forward Page 10
Two Community Days in September Page 11
Staff Announcements & Career Opportunities Page 12
Can You Clicker Trainer Bunnies? Our Training and Behaviour Team Did Page 13
Thank You for Making Paws in the Park Presented by Amazon a Huge Success Page 14
Dillon Dodson Helps Lead 8th International Association of Veterinary Social Work Summit Page 15
Developing the First Ever Practice Guidelines for Social Workers in Animal Welfare Settings Page 16
A Recap Of Our Second Annual Humane Open Event Page 17
A Heartfelt Thank You for Stepping in to Help Walk Dogs Page 18
Upcoming Events Page 19
Our Pumpkin Spice (and Everything Nice) Shop is Open
It's the perfect place to find delightful treats to gift animals at Toronto Humane Society. These festive goodies are available for purchase before the witching hour on Halloween, October 31st As the autumn air turns crisp and the nights grow longer, why not brighten the day of a shelter pet with a seasonal surprise?
Looking to make an even bigger impact this holiday season? Consider selecting our “Keep Them in the Picture” option to help us keep animals where they truly belong at home with their families, enjoying treats and love in the comfort of their own space.
Your purchase does more than provide a tasty snack It’s also a donation that supports critical services, from accessible veterinary care to essential pet parent assistance. Thanks to your generosity, our animals can receive the care, attention, and festive fun they deserve
How It Works:
Choose your combination of animal species to send treats to or select the “Keep Them in the Picture” option 1. Complete your purchase by October 31st. 2. After the campaign, you’ll receive a thank-you email with photos and videos of the animals enjoying the goodies you’ve provided You'll see the joy and comfort your support brings firsthand! 3.
Join us in making this Pumpkin Spice season extra special As you enjoy the beauty of autumn, help our animals experience the same warmth and joy. Whether you're buying a pumpkinshaped treat or keeping a kennel open, your generosity makes a world of difference in helping animals in our community start their next chapter.
Temporary Increase in Capacity to Support Hurricane Relief Efforts
In response to the recent hurricane impacting North Carolina and the level-5 incoming Florida hurricane, we are currently assessing out ability to temporarily increase our capacity to support rescue efforts by transferring pets to our care from h lt i th ff t d Whil till
This initiative will require all hands-on deck, from prepping housing spaces to organizing supplies and ensuring the animals receive the compassion and attention they deserve We are incredibly grateful for your dedication to the work we do, and we know that, with your help, we’ll be able to make a huge difference for these pets
If you are interested in support this initiative, please contact Bidisha, our Administrative Assistant, Animal Sheltering and Strategic Initiatives, at bmukherjee@torontohumanesocietycom so we can understand the resources available to us when determining out capacity to help.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment, and please stay tuned for further updates
Purpose and Learning Day
Who: Toronto Humane Society Staff, Volunteers, and Foster Parents
What: Purpose & Learning Day
Where: Toronto Humane Society, 11 River Street, 2nd Floor Board Room
When: October 30, 2024, 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM (Drop in anytime!)
Join us for an exciting Purpose & Learning Day! It’s a fantastic opportunity to hear quarterly updates from leadership, enjoy a delicious meal and refreshments, and participate in fun, Halloweenthemed activities. The day will also feature workshops to help deepen your understanding of our mission, connect with your fellow team members, and celebrate the incredible work we do together!
What to Expect:
Quarterly updates from leadership
Fun Halloween-themed activities Workshops
A chance to connect with your peers
Great food and refreshments
share your expertise! Submit your Workshop Presenter Form by Monday, October 7th at 9a.m if you’d like to present at this event If you’d prefer to present at a future Purpose & Learning Day, feel free to submit the form at any time.
For questions or further information, please contact Chris Buchner at cbuchner@torontohumanesocietycom
Announcing Our Monthly Clicker Training Games Club
We’re excited to announce that the next meeting of our monthly Clicker Training Games Club will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 1 pm! This session will be hosted by the wonderful Dr. Jackie Ellis, and we’re looking forward to an engaging and interactive time together
What to bring:
Your clicker! If you don’t have one yet, you can pick one up at the front desk
For those in Public Training or Shelter Care, please ensure you’ve received approval from your manager before registering. Space is limited, so make sure to sign up in advance using the link below to secure your spot! Click here to sign up
What to expect:
A deep dive into the theory and application of clicker training
Hands-on practice with your clicker, focusing on skill and timing
While no animals will be present, the techniques you learn can be applied to any animal!
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an expert trainer, this session is for everyone
Who is invited?
All staff, volunteers, and foster parents are welcome!
Where:
Communal Room (right beside the front entrance) at 11 River Street
Toronto Humane Society in the News
August saw a quieter month in the media, with 21,227,036 impressions and 39 mentions. Here's a look at Toronto Humane Society stories that captured attention in the news
Bif Naked Visits Toronto Humane Society
Bif Naked appears on CTV Two Terrace News to highlight the positive impact of the Toronto Humane Society, showcasing the animals in their care and the dedication of their staff (CTV Two Terrace News, August 13).
Toronto Humane Society At the Dog Lover’s Market
Your City Within In published an article about the expanded Riverside Dog Lovers' Market, which will feature two venues this year with a variety of dogfriendly activities, local vendors, and free microchipping services. Toronto Humane Society set up a booth
Animals Available for Adoption
Several news articles feature pets up for adoption at the Toronto Humane Society, including Nyla, Jim, Clawdia, Rubble, Fin, Khloe, and Bianca
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!
1 Year:
Joanna E, PPSN Volunteer
Rebecca B, PPSN Volunteer
Haley B., PPSN Volunteer
Sarah B., PPSN Volunteer
Debbie D, Pet Support Service Agent Volunteer
Mike D., Canine Care Volunteer
Mark G., PPSN and Special Species Care Volunteer
Vanessa G, Canine Care Volunteer
Samantha J, PPSN Volunteer
Judy M., Pet Support Service Agent Volunteer
Barbara M., Pet Support Service Agent Volunteer
Shoshana N, PPSN Volunteer
Dianny N., PPSN Volunteer
Thomas O., Feline Care Volunteer
Christopher S., Canine Care and Visit Service Agent Volunteer
Sachini S, PPSN Volunteer
Francis S., PPSN Volunteer
Suzan V., Canine Care Volunteer
Jonathan Y, Canine and Feline Care Volunteer
Stacy Z, PPSN Volunteer
3 Years:
Heather I., Events Volunteer
5 Years:
Matthew B., Canine Care and Food Bank Volunteer
Josie H, Pet Support Service Agent Volunteer
Saurabh M, Canine Care Volunteer
10 Years:
Peter B., Special Species and Team Day Facilitator Volunteer
Dave R, Feline Care and Team Day Facilitator 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
This Month we would like to shine a spotlight on Ana B.!
Ana B has been a volunteer with us nine months and has already made a powerful impact, donating over 118 hours in volunteering with our felines in that timespan! This passion reaches back long before she started volunteering with us “I've always loved animals, and had spent the past 5 years fostering street cats through TCR (Toronto Cat Rescue) and ACR (Annex Cat Rescue), socializing them to be adoptable.” The progress she saw those cats make inspired her to want to do more “I wanted to expand how many cats I could help beyond the 1 or 2 I was fostering at home. So I applied, and a year later heard backeagerly accepting the open feline care volunteer position”
Nine months later, she is loving her role here. “I'm not a morning person at all, but I wake up every Sunday morning at 6am excited to see the catswho's new, who's been adopted and who's still
there from our snuggle times the week before” She’s been fascinated by the plethora of different personalities that cats have, yet still share some similar and consistent behaviours. In particular, the most interesting experience she’s had “has actually been fostering one of the cats who's cage I used to clean in the Behaviour Hall (Calypso). He was very aggressive towards people, and while he seemed to hate me - he won my heart over Luckily I've won his heart over too finally, because he's gone from lunging/scratching/biting, to following me around the house, snuggling for naps, and playing nonstop like he's a kitten (a 5yr old kitten).”
That fostering experience taught her a lot about reading aggressive body language, predicting their behaviours and gaining their trust, which all came
barriers/guides), I suggested a plan to the Animal Care Workers leading the shift, and it worked! Together, we got her boxed, transported, and into a corral without any scratches or bites, and minimal discomfort from the very scared kitty”
On a separate note, Ana noted that “it's also been incredibly fulfilling to build relationships with the cats in the small amount of time we have together when I clean cages Some are very clearly scared or nervous at first, but when they open up to you and come out of hiding and let you pet them, it's just the most rewarding thing!” In all, volunteering for Ana has become, “the most fulfilling part of my week, and I'm so grateful to be a part of the team”
Well Ana, we are extremely grateful to have you
Two Community Days in September
Last month, we were thrilled to host not one, but two Community Day events, as the demand for this vital service continues to grow On September 11, we served over 200 people, and on September 25 we served over xx people, providing essential pet food and supplies to help ensure their pets remain healthy and cared for Community Days have become an important part of how we support the community, offering a lifeline to those in need of assistance The impact these events have on local families and their pets is truly heartwarming, and it wouldn’t be possible without the incredible work of our volunteers.
A special shoutout to our amazing volunteers who made it all happen! Your dedication to processing and organizing donations has kept our inventory running smoothly, ensuring we can quickly and efficiently distribute supplies to those who need them most
Whether it’s sorting through donations, preparing for the next event, or handing out items during Community Day, you keep everything flowing seamlessly.
Thanks to your hard work, our Community Days continue to provide a critical service, helping families care for their pets and relieving some of the financial pressures they may face Your efforts make a tangible difference in the lives of our community members and their beloved animals. As the demand for services like these grows, we’re grateful for your ongoing support.
Streamlining Urgent Care Foster Medical
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving services, we’re excited to announce an important update: Urgent Foster Care animals will now be seen by Public Veterinary Services (PVS) instead of our shelter clinic This shift comes as part of our broader strategy to centralize all community animal welfare services under one roof, allowing us to serve all community animals through PVS while our shelter clinic focuses on the animals in shelter This change will help streamline operations and improve communication. It’s an exciting opportunity that we are confident will enhance the care we provide across the board.
By bringing all community animal welfare services under one roof, we’re taking an important step toward creating a stronger, more integrated network of care for Toronto’s most vulnerable animals. Thank you to everyone involved in assisting with this change - your continued dedication is making this possible!
Honouring Our Heroes in Animal Care During Veterinary Professionals Appreciation Week
October is a month dedicated to celebrating our incredible Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs), but here at Toronto Humane Society, we’re taking things a step further From October 20th to 26th, we’ll be recognizing all our hardworking veterinary professionals our dedicated Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), RVTs, and Veterinary Assistants (VAs) who work tirelessly to ensure the health and well-being of the animals in our care and in our community.
Our veterinary teams play an essential role in delivering lifesaving medical care to animals, both within our shelter and throughout our community. Whether they're helping pets get ready for adoption, mending hurt paws, providing preventive care, or working in our Public Veterinary Services to ensure underserved communities have access to vital care for their animals, their commitment to animal welfare is unmatched.
A Week of Recognition
To express our gratitude, we’re organizing special lunches on Tuesday, October 22, and Thursday, October 24. These lunches are a small token of appreciation for the daily dedication,
skill, and compassion our veterinary professionals bring to their roles. Whether you're part of our shelter medical team or working in the public services team, we want to take this time to celebrate you and all that you do.
Our veterinary professionals are the heart of our organization They are there in the most critical moments, ensuring every animal receives the care they need, whether it’s during routine checkups or in emergency situations. Their work often goes beyond just treating the animals it’s about supporting the people who love them, helping keep families together, and playing a vital role in our community support programs.
We invite you to join us in showing appreciation to the exceptional veterinary professionals at Toronto Humane Society. If you see a member of our veterinary team during the week, take a moment to thank them for the incredible work they do Here’s to our dedicated team of veterinary heroes thank you for making a difference every day!
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
Alana Brown, Animal Care Worker
Shunera Costa, Animal Care Worker
Seray Desdemir, Animal Care Worker/Adoption Agent
Emily Lorio, Animal Care Worker
Madelyn Bockus-Murphy, Animal Care Worker
Ethan Awizen, Animal Care Worker
Telka Mallory, Public Support Services
Coordinator
Isabella Leo, Animal Care Worker
Bidisha Mukherjee, Administrative Assistant, Animal Sheltering and Strategic Initiatives
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:
Lead Client Service Agent - Public Veterinary Services
Senior Manager, Shelter Operations
Lead Certified Animal Trainer - Canine
Registered Veterinary Technician - Public
Veterinary Services
Veterinarian - Public Veterinary Services
Can You Click Trainer Bunnies? Our Training and Behaviour Team Did
This month, the Public Training and Behaviour Services team had the unique opportunity to work with bunnies during their monthly continuing education session. The challenge was to target train the bunnies and begin shaping a "sit pretty" behaviour using a target, a fun departure from the dog training they are accustomed to.
Since working with bunnies required some adaptation, the team opted to use straws as target sticks, a smaller and more appropriate alternative for these smaller animals. They initially chose fresh, cut-up strawberries as reinforcement, thinking they would be high-value treats since the bunnies don’t always get this in the shelter However, the team quickly learned that the bunnies were more eager to work for their regular food than the strawberries a good reminder that the learner ultimately decides what is reinforcing
They started by introducing the clicker as a marker, pairing the sound with food. While dogs typically understand the click after only a few repetitions, it took significantly more repetitions for the bunnies to make the association They then taught them to target their nose to a straw, holding it near their face and marking any movement toward it. Unlike with dogs, where they often move the target to encourage engagement, they had to keep the straw very still to avoid scaring the bunnies.
One of the biggest differences they observed between working with bunnies and dogs was the speed of repetition While dog training involves rapid consecutive repetitions, the bunnies required a slower pace. They took more time to eat their food reinforcements and paused between repetitions, which called for greater patience on
the training team’s part They had to wait for them to re-engage before moving on to the next step in training.
Despite the differences, the training team successfully taught both bunnies to target the straw and even began shaping the "sit pretty" behaviour by holding the straw slightly above their heads, prompting them to lift their front paws off the ground The session ended when the bunnies decided they were done, hopping to the other side of their enclosure to rest a clear optout signal, much more obvious than with dogs. Impressively, both bunnies engaged in training for nearly 30 minutes before choosing to rest
This experience was a valuable reminder of how every learner is unique and how empowering animals to make choices through positive reinforcement training builds enthusiastic, engaged learners.
Thank You for Making Paws in the Park Presented by Amazon a Huge Success
On September 21, Toronto Humane Society hosted the much-anticipated Paws in the Park Presented by Amazon event at 11 River Street, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the outcome! The day was filled with joy, laughter, and lots of wagging tails, all thanks to the incredible efforts of our dedicated staff members and volunteers
From coordinating tours to managing vendor booths, facilitating fun activities, and organizing the cutest fashion show ever, your hard work made this event a memorable experience for everyone who attended It was heartwarming to see so many community members come together to celebrate our love for animals and support our mission
Most importantly, this event raised crucial funds that will directly benefit the animals in our care, helping us provide them with the medical attention, shelter, and love they need while waiting for their forever homes Your contributions, whether big or small, played a significant role in the success of this event.
Help Us Improve Future Events!
We’d love to hear your thoughts on how the event went! If you attended the event or volunteered at the event, please take a moment to fill out a quick survey. Your feedback is invaluable as we continue to improve and create even better experiences in the future
Thank you once again for your enthusiasm, dedication, and support. It’s the collective efforts of our amazing team that allow us to make a difference in the lives of so many animals We look forward to more successful events in the future, and we appreciate everything you do for Toronto Humane Society!
To view and download more photos from the event, please click here.
Dillon Dodson Helps Lead 8th International Association of Veterinary Social Work Summit
We are proud to announce that Dillon Dodson, our Director of Social Work, recently played a key role in organizing the 8th International Association of Veterinary Social Work (IAVSW) Summit, held in Cleveland, Ohio, during the first week of September
As a board member of the IAVSW, Dillon helped bring together professionals from across the globe to discuss the vital intersection of social work and veterinary care The summit featured dynamic sessions and collaborative discussions on how veterinary social workers can provide critical support to both animals and their human families
A special highlight of the event was Dillon’s graduation from the post-graduate Veterinary Social Work (VSW) program, which took place during the summit’s graduation ceremony. This achievement further underscores Dillon's expertise and dedication to the field, making the moment even more memorable for everyone involved.
We are incredibly proud of Dillon’s leadership and commitment to advancing the field of veterinary social work, and we look forward to seeing the continued positive impact this important work will have on both animal welfare and human wellbeing
Developing the First Ever Practice Guidelines for Social Workers in Animal Welfare Settings
We are thrilled to congratulate Dillon Dodson, our Director of Social Work, for being part of a groundbreaking initiative to develop the first-ever practice guidelines for social workers in animal welfare settings. Thanks to a generous grant from the ASPCA and the support of Open Door Veterinary Collective, Dillon was one of 20 veterinary social workers selected to participate in a retreat at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
This unique opportunity brought together experts from across the United States and Canada to collaborate on establishing these critical guidelines. Surrounded by leading figures in the field, Dillon worked alongside them to ensure that social workers in animal welfare will have a standardized framework to better serve animals, their guardians, and the staff who care for them. They will continue to meet monthly for the next year to continue the development of the guidelines before they are published.
The development of these guidelines marks a historic step for both the human and animal
welfare fields With this work, Dillon and the team aim to create integrated supports that will help pet guardians experiencing hardship, build innovative interventions within animal shelters, and provide much-needed resources to alleviate compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress among animal welfare staff
This is a profound honour for Dillon and a significant milestone for Toronto Humane Society as we continue to champion the integration of veterinary social work into animal care. We look forward to seeing the remarkable impact these guidelines will have in shaping the future of both human and animal well-being
Congratulations, Dillon we are so proud of you!
For more information or to learn about the ongoing development of these practice guidelines, feel free to reach out to Dillon Dodson.
We want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to all the volunteers and staff members who made the recent Humane Open event a resounding success! Organizing two major events within one week is no small feat, and your dedication and hard work truly shone through
The day on the course was fantastic, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a shared passion for animal welfare
Most importantly, we are thrilled to report that the Humane Open raised vital funds for our public programs. These resources are essential in helping us continue our commitment to providing care and support to the animals in our shelter and the broader community.
Thank you once again for your unwavering commitment, teamwork, and passion It is because of your efforts that we can make a lasting impact on the lives of the animals we serve.
To view and download more photos from the event, please click here
A Heartfelt Thank You for Stepping in to Help Walk Dogs
The well-being of our shelter animals is always the top priority Recently, with several staff members on well-deserved vacations and others transitioning to new promotions, other departments and teams truly stepped up to ensure that our animals continued to receive the care they need
In addition to their regular duties, team members from these departments rolled up their sleeves and jumped into hands-on roles in the shelter From walking dogs to cleaning kennels, doing laundry, and making sure every task was covered, they went above and beyond to support our animals during this transitional period
This collective effort is a testament to the dedication and compassion that runs through every corner of our organization. A huge thank you goes out to everyone involved you exemplified the spirit of teamwork and commitment, ensuring that our animals received consistent love and care while staff took their much-needed time off or embraced new roles within the organization.
Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, and we are grateful for your willingness to step in wherever needed. Because of you, our animals remained happy, healthy, and comfortable. Thank you for your dedication and support!
Upcoming Events
Dusshera
October 12th
A Hindu celebration on the last day of Navaratri, celebrating the victory of good over evil.
summer/early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere
World Animal Day
October 4th
A day to bring awareness surrounding the importance of animals to help improve the standards of their welfare worldwide.
World Mental Health Day
October 10th
A day with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health
Yom Kippur
October 11th - 12th
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism
Thanksgiving Day
October 14th
A day to be thankful for a good harvest and any fortunes that took place throughout the year.
Halloween
October 31st
Halloween or Hallowe'en is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints' Day It begins the observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints, martyrs, and all the faithful departed.
Click here to read more dates that we are acknowledging this month.