The GTHS is running out of room. The current animal centre was built to house 500 animals. In 2021, the GTHS saw 1,400 animals pass through its doors. Cats are spilling into the hallways, and dogs are kept in crates in the garage. The building is bursting at the seams. The GTHS is running out of time. Rapid population growth and the COVID-19 pandemic has put enormous strain on underserved members of the community. Over the last two years, the GTHS has seen a 131% increase in the need for pet pantry services, and a 40% increase in the need for emergency boarding services.
Last year, the GTHS launched a capital campaign with the goal of raising funds to build a much-needed animal care and community-focused centre. Years in the making, the launch of this campaign is the culmination of hard work, collaboration, unyielding hope and represents a pivotal moment in GTHS history.
The campaign got off to a phenomenal start in 2021 thanks to donations from GTHS family. Board members, volunteers, donors, and staff contributed a total of $2,217,974 in pledges towards the campaign last year! The team are looking forward to continuing this progress with the Quiet Phase of fundraising, which will run for the remainder of this year and into 2023. We would like to extend our gratitude to all of the donors that made up our family campaign. Trail blazing donations with Naming Opportunities include ($5,000+):
Derrick and Lynn March: Main Lobby and Large Dog Yard
Monika Merz: Cat Enrichment Room and Cat Adoption Suites
Diana Wiszniewska: Dog Enrichment Room
Teri Band: Cat Cafe
Willa Napier: Adoption Greeting Room
Cheryl and Kevin Drynan: Reception Zone
Kevin and Elke Swanborough: Dog Meet and Greet Room
John Chapman
Christine Yorke: Cat Meet and Greet Room
The Mills and McGowan Family: Catio
Lynne and Sean Seawright: Three Benches
Ricki Thompson
Sheila Norman
Jan and John Trude: Three Washrooms
Tim Hortons The Murphy and Trude Group of Restaurant Owners: Kitchen Area in Community Room
David and Pat Garner: Entrance Vestibule
John and Leslie Worts
Charis Developments, Steve Assaff and Family: Dog Holding Suite
David and Cathy Henderson: Cat Holding Suite and Walkway Tile
Carolyn Williamson: Cat Surgical Suite
Elizabeth Comuzzi and Blaine Bell: Team Lunch Area and Kitchen
Jennifer Hurst
May Yam and Mike Carstensen: Grooming Room and Picnic Table
Susan Brooke
Veronica Onyskiw: Small Animal Holding Room
Margo and Michael Boyd: Bench
Garnet Pratt
The Ubell Family: Bench
Ashley, John, and Duncan: Bench
The Haines Family: Bench
Gordon Canning: Bench
Marilyn and Richard Young
Kelly Glass
Susan Wilson
Sonya Reichel
The GTHS team are deeply grateful to the volunteers who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring the campaign’s success. This progress could not have been achieved without the expertise of the Campaign Cabinet, the enthusiasm of the campaign ambassadors, and the guidance of the Building Committee.
In 2025, the Regional Centre for Pets and People will open its doors. The centre will provide advanced medical care and shelter to animals in need. It will place more animals into safe, loving homes. Accessible, community-focused programs will provide hope and safety to vulnerable members of the community. At-risk youth will find purpose and belonging through educational programming and volunteer opportunities. The centre will be an essential community resource, offering safety, comfort, and warmth: a home to both pets and people of the community.
If you would like to learn more about the campaign, contact Kelly, Campaign Manager, at kelly@gths.ca.
