Donors and supporters of the Georgian Triangle Humane Society’s (GTHS) Regional Centre for Pets and People (RCPP) gathered at Oslerbrook Golf and Country Club on November 28th to celebrate the progress of the campaign to-date, view building plans, and be the first to learn about the name for the organization’s new home.
In 2021, the GTHS launched a capital campaign, in the range of $16 million, to build a new 19,200 square foot Regional Centre for Pets and People on 5 acres of land in Collingwood, Ontario. Annually this new facility will:
- Welcome 30,000 visitors.
- Employ 50 staff and 600 Volunteers.
- Provide over 8,500 Spay/Neuter Surgeries.
- Engage over 6,000 youth in meaningful programming.
- Foster hope during crisis to over 2,200 people.
- Shelter over 3,000 animals.
This project is a necessity for the organization, currently operating out of a 6,000 square foot facility on Tenth Line, in Collingwood, built in 2011 and designed for around 500 animals. This year alone, the GTHS will have supported 4,000 pets through intakes and other programs and services, with growing demands for their continued support. The GTHS has outgrown their current facility and cannot continue to meet the needs of the community in this space.
The event at Oslerbrook began with opening remarks from Barbara Foster, vice-chair of GTHS board of directors, who welcomed guests and expressed deep gratitude for the support they have provided the GTHS since the launch of the capital campaign. “We are excited to announce that we have raised $7.5 million toward the new building from nearly 100 donors. Our goal is to reach $10.4 million before breaking ground and we are confident we will make that by Q2 2024.”
Karen Marsh, executive director of the GTHS, had the privilege of announcing the name of the new Animal Centre, which honours two selfless, compassionate animal lovers who were longtime supporters of the organization. “This evening, it is our honor to share with you that the main entrance of the new building will proudly display the name of David and Helen Capin, who, together, even in their death, will be responsible for saving the lives of thousands of cats for decades to come. It is an incredible moment for all of us.”
Over the ten years the Capin’s were involved with the GTHS, they adopted two cats who they chose because of their extended lengths of stay, their age, their demeanor (the Capin’s had an affinity for grumpy cats), and their unique medical needs. During the Christmas season, David and Helen never failed to make a generous gift at the Holiday Open House, always accompanied with warm wishes and unwavering gratitude for the work of the GTHS. In 2020, Helen passed away, followed by Daivd two years later. Before he passed, he decided to share his intentions to leave a large legacy gift to support a plan – still in its infancy – to build a Regional Centre for Pets and People to ensure that old, overlooked, and often grumpy cats would be safe, secure, and eventually land in a loving, forever home.
The GTHS has recently completed deputations to all six municipalities they serve, including Town of Collingwood, Clearview Township, the Town of Wasaga Beach, the Municipality of Meaford, Grey Highlands Township and the Town of the Blue Mountains, requesting support for a total of $1.5 million. Looking forward, 2024 will be an impactful year as the GTHS completes grant applications, launches an equipment campaign, engages the community in the public phase of their fundraising efforts, and breaks ground on their new facility. Derrick March, capital campaign cabinet co-chair, encourages anyone who is interested in this project to get involved. “If you believe in this mission like we do and would like to get involved as a donor, volunteer or ambassador for the project please connect with us,” he urges. You can learn more about the RCPP Project online (gths.ca/building-a-regional-centre-for-pets-people/) or by sending an email to hope@gths.ca.
