AnimalTalkFALL/WINTER 2013

SHELTER HIGHLIGHTSpage 04

HAPPY TAILSpage 05

HOARDING page 06

PET SAFETY TIPS page 07

2013 PAWS IN THE PARKHundreds of animal lovers and their furry friends joined us at Woodbine Park on Sunday, September 22nd to walk in support of the

Toronto Humane Society! All funds raised from PAWS in the Park go towards caring for the many needy animals in our care.

Carla Collins, our lovely and entertaining host kept everyone smiling, and walkers and their families enjoyed a variety of fun activities, from live music, dog agility shows, pet photo sessions, a silent auction and of course, a beautiful scenic walk by the lake.

And the great news is that over $100,000 was raised for the animals! We hope to see you next year at PAWS in the Park!

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To promote the humane care and protection of all animals and to prevent cruelty and suffering.

CONTENTSPage 04 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shelter Highlights From the last few months

Page 05 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Happy Tails Stories of adoptions with happy endings

Page 06 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hoarding When good intentions go awry

Page 07 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pet Safety Tips Keep your loved ones safe

AnimalTalk

Board of DirectorsThe role of the board is to provide governance oversight for the Toronto Humane Society. The board of directors is a volunteer board and no member receives financial compensation to perform their board role.

David Bronskill - Chair

Elizabeth Cabral - Vice President, Spay/Neuter

Jennifer Downe

Lisa Gibbens, BA, MISt - Secretary

Carol Hroncek

Cathy Kinloch

Marcie Laking - President

Dean Maher - Vice President, Community Outreach & Adoptions

Colette Miller

Peter Newell, BA, MA, JD - Vice President

Jason Peetsma, BA, MA

Ferne Sinkins, BA, MEd

Stephen Steele, B. Comm., M.B.A. - Treasurer

Wendy Strickland

Chief Executive OfficerDr. Jacques Messier, DMV, MBA

EditorBarbara Steinhoff

Art DirectorChris Johnston

ContributorsPhil NicholsEmily IsaakDr. Linda Jacobson

EJ Lazaga - Cover PhotographyAnimal Talk is distributed free of charge to approximately 55,000 Toronto Humane Society members and donors.

Contents of Animal Talk are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Toronto Humane Society. Nothing in this publication shall constitute an endorsement by the Toronto Humane Society of any product or service. Canadian Charitable Registration Number 11925 9513 RR0001

OUR MISSION

Paws in the Park® was a great success!

Thank you to everyone who participated in PAWS in the Park® and a special thanks to our generous sponsors – The New Classical 96.3 FM, The New AM 740, Toronto Hydro, Royal Canin, Animal Wellness and Disney Super Buddies.

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You Can Make a Difference Join Our Save The Animals TeamWith your help we are able to continue to feed, shelter and provide veterinary care for the animals until they are adopted into a loving home. For less than a dollar a day, you can be there for animals in need and provide the loyal support they count on.

Please join today with a gift of $18 a month (only 60 cents a day)

Sign up at www.TorontoHumaneSociety.com or call 416.392.2273 ext. 2162 or 2166

SHELTER HIGHLIGHTSAt the Toronto Humane Society we are committed to improving the lives of the animals in our care and work diligently to give every

animal a second chance. Here are a few of the highlights from the last few months:

• On June 25, 2013, Toronto Humane Society volunteers Susan Pritchard, Graeme Brown, Wendy Beaver, Evelyn Beatson, Ligita Mikelsons, and Donna Irwin were recognized for their outstanding volunteer service at the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration 2013 Volunteer Service Award Ceremony.

• From revised protocols to the retrofitting of space to include indoor outdoor dog runs the Toronto Humane Society has undertaken numerous projects aimed to improve the well-being of the animals in our care.

• Heavy rains earlier this summer highlighted the need for a back-up power source to ensure our sump pumps help reduce the risk of flooding. Back-up power will ensure our lights stay on, medical equipment continues to run and temperatures are regulated. A new back-up generator has been installed, tested and is now fully functional.

• In August we launched a new community outreach program SNIP (Spay Neuter Impact Program) with an initial focus on the St. James Town area of Toronto. Posters, transit billboards and ads in community papers and support volunteers are going door to door to inform residents on the issue of pet overpopulation and encourage them to spay neuter their pets.

• From May to August more than 1000 surgeries were performed through our high volume public spay neuter services.

• Adoption volumes continue to rise with 449 cat adoptions in July and August. The highest number since 2010.

• The Toronto Humane Society Board of Directors reaffirmed our commitment to helping Toronto become a “No Kill” community and has begun the process of building a three year strategic plan focused on preventing animal homelessness and positioning the THS as a leader in the animal welfare world while ensuring a solid financial foundation and effective governance.

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Around September 2008, we had visited THS and while one cat in particular had caught our eye, we opted to wait and give it some more thought. Fast forward to December

2008, we thought we would take a chance and go back on the off chance that the cat we had seen in September may still be available.

After walking through and not seeing him, we figured some other lucky person must have given him a home, so we decided to walk through a second time and see if another cat would catch our attention…and to our surprise, he was still there, but we had overlooked his cage. There was no hesitation this time around…Bobo was coming home.

And while he wasn’t too pleased about that initial ride home, upon being let out of the carrier there was no doubt that Bobo had found his home, and from this point on, he would be king of his domain.

We’re so glad we made the return trip and made the decision to give a second chance to such a fantastic pet…and who knew, you can even take a cat camping. Dale and Yoko

We adopted Frankie in May 2013 and he was a shy guy. (because of his past) We brought Frankie home and he instantly broke out of his shell. He was wagging his tail

the moment he arrived, it took some time to get use to everyone and everything.

He felt love with a new family, and on the first day I sat down on my floor to pet him and he sat by me, then he went on my lap and fell asleep. He got along with kids, and he’s really protective of the people he likes, he loves our cat and they sleep together.

He loves the big dog park where he can just use all his energy and run in circles for 20 minutes, he is a easy learner when it comes to teaching him tricks, overall he is a smart, and a amazing dog :)

So glad Frankie came into our lives. He is doing really well!

Bonnie, Wendy, and Frankie.

HAPPY TAILS

FRANKIE

BOBO

Our relationship with the animals in our care doesn’t end after the adoption. We encourage all of our adopters to let us know how our friends are doing in their new forever home.

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If you suspect an issue of animal hoarding please contact your local animal control agency, SPCA or humane society

Hoarding Signs:• Keeping more than the typical number of animals• Failing to provide minimal nutrition, veterinary care, shelter or sanitation• Failing to recognize the devastating impact of this neglect• Can’t stop himself/herself from repeating this behavior

It’s a topic of television shows and news stories across the country. Defined as a compulsive need to possess and control animals, animal hoarding is a multi-layered issue that has faced rescues, shelters and humane societies for years.

Without medical care, crowded and in deplorable conditions, animals suffer, often without adequate food and water. Animal hoarding is a form of “malignant cruelty”, causing great mental and physical suffering for the animals. Yet their caretakers believe they are saving them. The hoarders themselves tend to live in deplorable conditions, isolated and stigmatized, without the professional help they need. For many of us it is difficult to comprehend.

Although 60% are female, there’s no such thing as “the typical” animal hoarder. Hoarders can be all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. For some it begins with a love of animals and a need to save every last one. Hoarding was previously considered a type of obsessive compulsive disorder, but has more recently been identified as a separate condition called “hoarding disorder”.

At the Toronto Humane Society we often see the tragic results of animal hoarding. This past summer numerous groups of cats rescued from hoarders were taken into our care. In total more than 150 queens and kittens who were clearly suffering from neglect. Most were infested with parasites, their paws painful from standing in feces and urine, and many faced more complex medical issues. We take them in, provide them with medical care and ultimately a second chance. But we know it’s not enough.

Studies show that hoarders will undoubtedly repeat their behaviour. The Toronto Humane Society is only one part of the solution. Dr. Linda Jacobson, Assistant Director Shelter Medicine recently held two learning sessions to educate staff, volunteers and rescue agencies on the complex issue of animal hoarding. Our goal now is to help build a task force that includes animal control, rescues and social service agencies to identify hoarders, remove the animals and address the underlying illness.

FETCH THE PURRFECT PRESENT FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE ON YOUR GIFT LIST AT TailWaggingGifts.ca

Celebrate a holiday, birthday, or anytime you want to share a smile. Visit www.TailWaggingGifts.ca to choose from a variety of symbolic gifts that help the animals here in the shelter, and then select a card to send to your friend, or family (print it or email it).

Your recipient will be touched by this special and unique gift, and you can both feel great knowing you’re helping animals in need.

HOARDING

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Pet Safety Tips

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Always walk your pet on a leash so you can direct the animal around electrical equipment. Use a leash that’s made of non-conductive material, preferably nylon. Try to keep your leash as dry as possible.

Prevent pets from chewing loose cords & wires. Keep all loose electrical cords & wires taped up or tucked out of sight behind appliances. Consider using pet-proof cords, encasing them in PVC or coating them in a bitter substance (available at pet stores) to discourage chewing.

Be aware of any underground electrical or cable line running through your yard. Make sure cables are buried at appropriate depths, especially if you have a dog who likes to dig.

Be familiar with common household substances, plants or foods that can be harmful to pets. Many garden varieties of plants are harmful if ingested, as are many flowers that are brought indoors and used as seasonal decorations. Take care that fido doesn’t get into toxic foods such as grapes/raisins and chocolate. And when in the garage or out on walks be sure to keep an eye out for rodenticides, sidewalk de-icers and antifreeze. Should your pet ingest any of these deadly chemicals, contact your vet immediately.

No one ever plans on losing their pet, but it is an unfortunate reality. Thousands of household pets are lost every year, never finding their way back home. It is always better to be safe than sorry: make sure your pet is always wearing visual ID - a licence or name tag. As collars often come off, another consideration is a microchip. All vet clinics and animal shelters scan every lost animal for a chip. This one-time registration could be your pet's ticket home.

Every pet needs a check-up once a year. Regular veterinary care helps you be the best pet owner you can be. Addressing subtle changes in your pet's lifestyle, diet or stage in life can make all the difference for your pet's longevity. And remember to let a professional treat your pet if it should become ill. Many pet owners feel they can manage their pet's illness using self-diagnosis and human medications. Unfortunately, often with fatal results.

Avoid electrical equipment such as handwells on the sidewalk. Stay closer to the house or storefront and walk in green areas or parks as much as possible.

PREVENT ANIMALHOMELESSNESS.

Spay or neuter your pets.Every year 180,000 homeless dogs and cats end up in Canada’s over crowded shelters and thousands more wander the streets.

Stop the cycle. Please, spay and neuter your pet today.

For more information call your local veterinarian or the Toronto Humane Society at: 416-392-2273 or go online: www.torontohumanesociety.com