S PR I N G 2010

AnimalTalk

Happy
Tails
Easter
Bunnies
Adopt
Me

Moving
Forward
Improving
the THS
 AnimalTalk

Contents SPR I N G 2 0 1 0
A publication for the friends
of The Toronto Humane Society.

12

5
Cover Story
4 THS Moving Forward
Features
12 Easter Bunnies
Shelter
11 Hide and Perch Boxes
Society Officers
Bob Hambley, President
Joan Milne, Vice President
Carol Lupovich, Vice President
16
Board of Directors
14 Wildlife 20 Adopt Me Stephen Dooley Alan Johnson Delores Qasim
Bob Hambley Valerie Jones Al Tweten
16 Donate 21 Staff Profile Brenda Hind Carol Lupovich Bud Walters
Sandi Hudson Patricia McIlhone
Pam Inglis Joan Milne
28 Kids Activity Page 24 THS 2009 Summary
Art Direction
Untitled_Art Inc.
AnimalTalk is distributed free of charge to
approximately 60,000 Society members and donors.
ISSN 1192-4861
The Toronto Humane Society
11 River Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 4C2
2802 Victoria Park, Toronto, Ontario, M2J 4A8
T 416.392.2273 F 416.392.9978
info@torontohumanesociety.com
torontohumanesociety.com
Canadian Charitable Registration Number
11925 9513 RR0001

A N I MA LTA L K S P RING 2010 1

Message from the President
Bob Hambley
moVinG forWard to
continue heLPinG animaLs
There is no doubt that The Toronto
Humane Society has been at the centre
of controversy as of late. As you are well
aware there are many allegations against
the Society and some of our former
employees. These allegations will be dealt
with in the appropriate forum – a court
of law.
This has been a difficult time for The
Toronto Humane Society as for more than
a month we were not able to do adoptions;
the Ontario SPCA will not allow the
THS to admit animals that are in need
of assistance.
It is not surprising to find sick animals
at The Toronto Humane Society. We run a
full veterinary hospital that treats these
animals. As with any human hospital you
will have sick patients, but they are under
medical care.
The question to ask yourself as an
animal lover is, do you want to see a
shelter that has a few animals under
its care that do not have challenges
but has put down hundreds or thousands
of animals; or a shelter that is caring
for them and doing whatever it can to give
them a second chance.
A difference of philosophies in animal
care is what is at the centre of the debate.
Many animal shelters put down about half
2 SPR I N G 2 0 1 0 ANIMALTALK
of the animals that come through their
doors. They can do better. The Toronto
Humane Society takes in the sick, injured,
older, abandoned or otherwise ‘un-perfect’
animals. We do not write off animals as
unadoptable or think that a treatment
would cost too much to provide. The
Toronto Humane Society, as it always has,
will provide treatment, rehabilitation and
give that animal a second chance to be
placed in a home where they can be loved.
Many of the OSPCA affiliates and branches
act as local pounds with very high kill
rates. They deem animals with minor
medical issues or behavioural problems
to be ‘unadoptable’ and they are killed.
The Toronto Humane Society as an
organization is moving forward and making
changes. Our goal, as it always has been
for the last 123 years, is to be the humane
organization to lead the care and welfare
of animals in Canada.
We have formulated a vision statement
to be Canada’s leading animal advocacy,
animal care and adoption agency that will
guide us going forward. This will help our
staff, volunteers, management, members
and directors to be clear on goals of the
organization and to not lose sight of these
key objectives.
We have introduced a new clearly
defined euthanasia policy for our
veterinarians to follow to individually
evaluate each animal. There are more
details of this on page 7.
We realize that an open admissions
policy with a low euthanasia shelter is not
an ideal system. We have set out limits
to the number of animals that we can care
for at any time in the shelter / hospital.
We will not exceed these numbers.
You can read more details on page 8.
A new leadership team has been put
in place at The Toronto Humane Society
to lead the day-to-day running of the
shelter. We have hired a new Executive
Director, Garth Jerome, to lead the
day-to-day operations of the organization
going forward.
The Toronto Humane Society is a leader
in animal welfare and advocacy because
of our independence, strong membership
and valued donors. We look forward to
continuing this in the future. Rest assured
that your Toronto Humane Society will
continue to be a humane voice for the
animals and help these innocent creatures
when they are in need.
Sincerely,
BoB hamBLey, ca
President
Message from the Executive Director
Garth Jerome
I would like to take this opportunity to
thank you for your support and for sharing
your concerns for the animals. You may
have experienced uncertainty and feelings
of trepidation surrounding The Toronto
Humane Society in recent months. So
much has been written and said, but now
is the time for us to act. We have been
listening and have taken to heart your
concerns over the well-being of the
animals and have addressed this with a
number of important steps.
We have been working hard to refine and
perfect our operations, from top to bottom,
covering admissions and adoptions, to
hygiene and sanitation. The staff continue
to work tirelessly to ensure our facility is
a clean, safe and welcoming environment
for all of our animals – today and for
the future. This initiative of operational
excellence will ensure that our high
standards are maintained, measured and
constantly refined. We are pleased to
present to you an overview of two of those
policies in this issue of AnimalTalk.
We have restructured staffing at The
Toronto Humane Society to ensure that we
have the right people performing the right
tasks. We have hired a number of new
animal care staff who will ensure that the
highest levels of care are delivered to our
animals at all times. We continue to strive
for excellence in this area and we are
Wish Your Friends and
Family a Happy Easter
With a Tail Wagging Gift!
committed to ensuring that we spend our
valuable donor funds where they need to
be spent – on animal care.
Our commitment to providing top quality
care for the animals is at the forefront
of our review of Shelter operations. We
have engaged a Professor of Veterinary
Medicine from the University of Guelph,
as a consultant. He has over 25 years of
animal care experience and is regarded
as a top expert in his field. He has been a
valuable resource for the refinement of our
animal care processes and procedures.
We will be continuing to use his experience
and expertise in the future.
A significant amount of time and
effort has been spent on forming
relationships and key partnerships with
animal rescue groups, veterinarians and
clinics. They have given their time to help
us through a difficult period and we are
grateful for their ongoing commitment
to The Toronto Humane Society. We look
forward to continuing these important
relationships and working more closely
in the future.
Unfortunately, over the past months
we have been restricted from admitting
any new animals that may need our help.
This has been an unexpected setback for
us. However, we have made good use of
this time to prepare our animal shelter for
when we are able to do so.
Our foster program has been expanded
significantly, with wonderful care-givers
opening their doors to our many patients
that need special care in a home
environment. We thank each of you, along
with all of our new volunteers for your
ongoing support and hard work.
Much of our day-to-day work focuses on
caring for our animals; however, we are
also committed to serving the community.
In due course, we aim to provide a number
of comprehensive programs which will
serve the needs of animal welfare in the
GTA. These initiatives will be announced
in time through the relevant channels
including a newly re-designed website –
www.torontohumanesociety.com.
The Toronto Humane Society is focused
on being the leading advocacy, adoption
and animal care centre. We are here to
do whatever it takes to help animals –
it is what we do and it is who we are.
Thank you to everyone involved in making
The Toronto Humane Society the amazing
organization it is.
My best wishes to all of you.
Garth Jerome
Executive Director
A N I MA LTA L K S P RING 2010 3
Bio of Garth Jerome
New Leadership for The Toronto Humane Society
Garth Jerome is the newly appointed
Executive Director of The Toronto Humane
Society. The Society is very pleased to
have an expert in the field of animal care
heading our organization. His expertise
coupled with a love and respect for
animals made him the right choice for this
challenging and rewarding position.
Garth was born and raised in
Johannesburg, South Africa. He completed
a Bachelor degree in Microbiology at the
SA Institute of Technology, in South Africa.
After completing his degree in 1992,
he completed a 1 year internship with the
Department of Agriculture and thereafter
was offered a permanent position as a
Veterinary Technologist in the Directorate
of Animal Health.
He continued to work for the
department, upon his secondment to the
South African Defence Force (SADF). He
was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant
and still holds the rank to this day. He
served as a Senior Medical and Veterinary
Technologist in the SADF throughout his
4 SPR I N G 2 0 1 0 ANIMALTALK
national service. His military service gave
him insight into medicine, large animal
veterinary care and companion animal
work, predominantly with dogs. He left the
public service in 1996, following teaching
for 2 years.
Garth worked for 7 ½ years as a
managing consultant with a large food com-
pany. This position provided more experi-
ence with industrial microbiology
and quality control techniques. He left the
food industry in 2003 and spent 4 years
at a private laboratory as Product and
Laboratory Manager.
Garth obtained his permanent
residency in Canada before he arrived in
Toronto in January 2008. He joined
The Toronto Humane Society as the staff
Microbiologist. Some of his key successes
have been:
• The establishment of a dedicated,
fully functional in-house laboratory. He
operated this laboratory on his own and
was responsible for all aspects of its
quality control. The in-house laboratory
produced a saving of $120,000 for the
Society within 12 months.
• The development of a set of Shelter
Standards produced in accordance
with those of comparable institutions
around North America.
• Regular monthly reporting to
management, regarding disease
control and prevention.
• Assisted in the establishment and
running of the nebulizer program to
treat animals with upper respiratory
infections and other conditions in a
non-invasive way. This treatment aided
countless animals to recover from
illness and become available
for adoption.
Garth’s primary commitment is foremost
to the animals and ensuring their care. His
goal is also to ensure that The Toronto Hu-
mane Society is able to meet and exceed
the expectations of its Board of Directors,
members, donors, supporters and other
stakeholders. He conforms to a published
code of conduct and will lead all staff
members to do the same.
He was appointed Shelter Manager by
the current Board of Directors on
November 27, 2009 and appointed to
Executive Director on February 12, 2010.
The Executive Director is responsible for
the day-to-day operations of the Society.
The Board of Directors will oversee general
policy and goals to move the organization
forward. The delegation of running the
shelter will be led by the Executive Director,
who will oversee staff at all levels.
Since December 29, 2009, Garth has
been the lead contact in the management
of the shelter and has been working with
the OSPCA on site. He meets regularly
with representatives of the OSPCA to
ensure there is a clear and direct line of
communication between the two organiza-
tions. We look forward to a resolution and
for The Toronto Humane Society to return
to accepting and caring for the animals.
Garth’s main objectives are to ensure
that all of the animals currently housed
at the THS receive excellent care and to
aggressively find new forever homes for
them. In conjunction with this, the THS
is using this valuable time to refine and
perfect our operating procedures and proto-
cols on everything from disease control to
admissions and adoptions policies. Garth
looks forward to this rewarding challenge
and will be updating our supporters on a
regular basis as to new improvements that
are being implemented so we can continue
to save animals’ lives.
THS Organizational Chart

Board of Directors
Oversee the guiding the mission
BOARD
and goals of the organization. OF
DIRECTORS

The Toronto
Humane Society Staff EXECUTIVE
Day-to-day operations of DIRECTOR
The Toronto Humane Society Garth
Jerome

OPERATIONS SENIOR FUNDRAISING FINANCIAL MANAGER SENIOR

MANAGER COMMUNICATOR ADMINISTRATOR CONTROLLER EXECUTIVE DEPT. VETERINARIAN
Bernard Ian Stephanie Catherine Anne Claudette Dr. Rob
Bignall McConachie Ratcliff MacDonald Turner Rock

IT FUNDRAISING ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE

SPECIALIST CO -ORDINATOR PAYABLE ASSISTANT

FUNDRAISING PAYROLL
WEBMASTER
ASSISTANT CLERK

ADMISSIONS/ LEAD
SHELTER STAFF
ADOP TIONS VETERINARY
SUPERVISORS VETERINARIAN
DEPARTMENT TECHNICIAN

SHELTER VETERINARY STAFF

WORKERS TECHNICIANS VETERINARIAN

A N I MA LTA L K S P RING 2010 5

THS Vision
m i s s i on statement:
to promote the humane care and protection of all animals and
to prevent cruelty and suffering.
The Toronto Humane Society is dedicated to providing a safe, clean and compassionate environment for the animals in our care while finding them
permanent and loving homes. Working with the community we help prevent animals from being neglected, abused, and abandoned
and through public education, promoting responsible pet ownership, collaboration with other animal welfare agencies across Canada, and raising public
awareness of animal issues. By empowering our volunteers, staff and veterinarians to reach and exceed high standards in animal
care, we ensure our future as a premier animal shelter and hospital.

L eade rs h iP
We will provide leadership in:
The adoption of animals to loving homes.
Veterinary medical care for all animals at
The Toronto Humane Society.
Advocate the protection and promotion
of animal welfare through
courage, compassion and wisdom.
Lea rn in G
Pa rtne r shi P s We will continue to grow and learn,
To form partnerships and using an evidence based approach to guide
strategic alliances with those who share our improvements and constantly evaluate
vision, guiding principles and measureable results.
respect for animals; we can do more We will share our knowledge and
together than on our own. experience with others to improve
animal welfare.

V i si o n
To be Canada’s leading advocacy, animal care
and adoption agency.

r es P o nsi B i L i ty t ra n s Pa re n cy
We will ensure the safety and
We will regularly disclose
well-being of all our staff and volunteers
our financial and operational actions
by providing the necessary tools for
to our members, government
their success including on-going training
agencies and the public.
and assessments.
Provide thorough and ongoing training
We will be open to suggestions
for the Board and management
regarding improvements from staff,
on their legal and ethical obligations.
volunteers and the public.
acco u n ta BiLity
We are accountable to our
members, supporters and the community.
We measure, track and report
regularly on what we have achieved.
Future measureable
goals will be clearly stated.

6 SPR I N G 2 0 1 0 ANIMALTALK
A Veterinary Medical Decision
The new Toronto Humane Society euthanasia policy has been
developed by veterinarians, staff and outside experts and is
clearly explained and defined, as part of the standard operating
procedure for the shelter. The decision to euthanize an animal is
that of the veterinarians tending to that specific animal’s care. We
are proud of our goal to do whatever it takes to provide the best
medical care for animals and give them a chance to be treated
for their condition. We will continue this policy to give animals the
chance at life they deserve. But, as always, the THS will euthanize
animals when recovery is not an option.
Euthanasia of animals has been acknowledged by most
animal-protection organizations as an acceptable means of
alleviating or preventing pain and suffering. However, euthanasia
of any animal involves a difficult decision, requiring that each
animal’s health be evaluated on an individual basis. The following
questions will be carefully addressed in seeking to determine the
medical action required:
• Is the animal in pain or distress, and is there hope of
alleviating this pain to allow for a reasonable quality of life?
The Toronto
Humane Society’s
Policy on Euthanasia
• What are the prospects of providing the animal
with a quality of life that fulfills his/her
basic physical and psychological needs?
• Does keeping the animal in his/her present
condition present significant health or safety risks
to other animals or people? Can these risks
be minimized or avoided while still affording the
animal a reasonable quality of life?
• Given the limitations faced by the organization or
individual charged with the care of the animal,
does keeping the animal alive reduce the ability to
care humanely for the other animals in need?
It is critical for people (THS staff, volunteers, the public) who are
not trained veterinarians to understand the decision to euthanize
is not always easy, is never taken lightly and is done when it is
the humane action to take. The veterinarians face a difficult task,
and their medical decisions must be respected, even if they are
different from one’s personal point of view.
A N I MA LTA L K S P RING 2010 7
Admissions Policy
The Toronto Humane Society has developed new guidelines on
the intake of animals admitted to our care. These updated
guidelines are a result of a detailed examination of our facility’s
capacity and staffing levels to ensure the best care for the
animals under our roof.
We can not currently accept stray animals and can only
accommodate custodial/owner surrenders. Toronto Animal
Services will be taking care of stray animals in the city.
For shelters with low euthanasia rates such as the THS it is
not always possible to have an open admissions policy. When we
have reached capacity at the Shelter, we will not be able to accept
new animals into our care. We have developed ‘soft’ and ‘hard’
targets of the number of animals we can care for. Our capacity
on a daily operating basis will be that of the soft target. We will
always have extra accommodation to be able to assist animals in
desperate need of our care, whether that arises from a medical
issue like a life threatening injury or other emergency situations.
The shelter can provide for a maximum animal population of
810 animals that can be housed within our River Street facility.
This population is designated as follows:
SPECIES SOFT TAR G ET HARD TAR GET
1. Felines (Cats) 520 550
2. Canines (Dogs) 85 100
3. Small Mammals 80 120
4. Avians (Birds ) 20 25
5. Herptiles 10 15
Total population permitted: 715 810
*subject to ongoing review
The goal of the Society will be to remain below the soft target so
that we will not have to turn away animals when they are most in
need. This will be facilitated through increased awareness in the
community of our organization and the adoption of animals.
The Toronto Humane Society animal population will be monitored
daily by the Senior Admissions Administrator and Shelter
8 SPR I N G 2 0 1 0 ANIMALTALK
New Guidelines For
The Toronto
Humane Society’s
Animal Admissions
Operations Manager. They will ensure that the shelter population
remains within the target parameters at all times. Establishing and
keeping within our target parameters will ensure that:
• Sufficient staff will be on hand to effectively clean,
feed and treat the animal population in the Shelter.
• Adequate ‘residual kennel space’ is available
to accommodate a disaster or emergency
situation where animals require care.
• Infectious disease is controlled and suitable
standards of hygiene are maintained at all times.
TYPES OF ADMISSION / SURRENDER
Animals may be admitted or surrendered
to the Society under the following conditions:
• Medical Surrender
• Custodial Surrender
• Owner Surrender
• Shelter / Pound Transfers
All surrenders are irrevocable and the animal will become the
property of The Toronto Humane Society.
Admissions PROCESS
All persons who wish to surrender animals will be required to
make an appointment with The Toronto Humane Society.
Appointments for the surrender of animals shall be made at
least 24 hours in advance.
Animals may only be surrendered / admitted to the Society
on weekdays, during normal public hours, between 12pm
and 6pm daily.
Once an appointment is confirmed, an appointment list shall
be posted for the specific day.
Persons who report to the shelter shall be given an interview
by an Admissions agent.
The agent will complete the relevant documents which pertain
to the surrender process.
All animals admitted to the Society shall be examined by a
veterinarian within 24 hours of arrival.
 Please visit our website
for all the latest news and information.
A newly designed THS website is coming soon!

A N I MA LTA L K S P RING 2010 9

A Message from the Senior Communicator
Ian McConachie
There has been much said and alleged
against The Toronto Humane Society over
the past few months.
We would like nothing more than to
provide our side of the story to you,
our members, donors and supporters.
However, the Ontario SPCA has
initiated multiple court proceedings
against the THS and its Board. Respect
for the Court and the processes we are
about to undergo restrict our ability to
speak publically about our position. We
vehemently disagree with many of the
allegations that have been made by
the Ontario SPCA and look forward to
presenting our case.
We will not follow the lead of the Ontario
SPCA and conduct our defence through the
media in tabloid-style announcements and
press releases. We strongly oppose their
tactics. The manner in which the search
was conducted with tours for the media
and a consistent flow of out-of-context
information being released is ample proof
of why it is undignified to debate legal
issues in the media.
The attacks of the Ontario SPCA on a
long-standing competitor with whom it
has ideological differences damaged the
reputation of The Toronto Humane Society.
We will not exacerbate the problem with a
10 SP R ING 2010 ANIMALTAL K
responding media campaign.
I have personally dealt with many
inquiries from concerned individuals who
have heard one side of the story and were
shocked. Many of the allegations shocked
us as well. Hold tight friends. Our day in
court is coming soon. You will hear our
side of the story and be able to judge
for yourself whether the allegations have
been over-stated and exaggerated or
factual. Please visit our website or sign
up for our e-newsletter for updates on
developments that have occurred before
the courts. We are eager to present to
our members, supporters and donors all
the information as soon as it is possible
to do so.
If you have any questions please
do not hesitate to contact me at
communications@torontohumanesociety.
com or 416-392-2273 x 2149.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Ian McConachie
Senior Communicator
Making Cats
Stay a Little Homier
Everyone knows that life in a shelter can
be scary for cats. The sights and sounds
can stress out even the calmest cat.
Not only is this bad for the animal, but
it can make the cat less appealing to
potential adopters.
To help out these cats the THS is
introducing a new product called the
Hide, Perch and Go into the cages of
adoptable cats. The Hide, Perch, and
Go was invented for use in shelters in a
project spearheaded by the BC SPCA. The
idea behind them is that they provide cats
a place they can mark with their scent,
allow them to be out of public view, and
to perch (which is a natural behaviour).
The box then converts into the carrier that
the cat is brought home in, allowing for a
much smoother transition into their new
environment by providing a familiar
“haven” for the cat that is saturated with
the cat’s own scent, which helps reduce
stress for the cat in the new setting.
The pilot project which currently includes
twenty cats came about through the
suggestion of a THS dog walker who had
seen them in use in BC and thought they
could benefit the cats at the THS. She
contacted the THS inventory control
specialist, Shannon Caulfield, who then
looked into ordering them. The boxes are
a little more expensive than the regular
carrier boxes that we order, but we feel its
money well spent if it will make the cats
here a little more comfortable during their
stay and help them get adopted and thrive
in their new homes.
Since their introduction the cats
who have had the boxes have really
taken to them and enjoy being able to
have multiple areas in which to spend
the day.
A N I MA LTA L K S P R I NG 2010 11
easter
Bunnies
I N F O R M AT I O N T O H E L P Y O U D E C I D E W H E T H E R Y O U ’ D L I K E T O
H AV E A R A B B I T H O P I T S W AY I N T O Y O U R H O M E , A N D H E A R T
a
s Easter approaches, some people may consider
getting their own Easter Bunny, for their kids or the
family. And while rabbits can make amazing pets, they
are often misunderstood and thought to be ‘easy’ or ‘good
starter pets.’ In fact, there is a lot to consider before adding a
rabbit to your family. If you don’t know what you’re getting into,
you could be headed for a stressful situation for both you and
the bunny.
Rabbits can make wonderful pets – they are friendly, social
and enjoy the company of people very much.
Rabbits are a long-term commitment. The average bunny
lives 8-12 years, and they require quite a bit of care and
commitment. True, you don’t have to take your rabbit for
walks three times a day, but you will find yourself frequently
cleaning multiple litter boxes, vacuuming hay and fur from
every surface of your home, and finding your attention is
demanded as much having a new puppy.
Cost is also an important consideration. Inexpensive to
purchase in a pet store, many people are under the
assumption that rabbits are a low-cost pet to keep. In reality,
the cost of caring for a rabbit is not insignificant.
Bunnies require a specialized and diverse diet. Unlike dogs
and cats, rabbits cannot subsist on a single type of food.
To be healthy, your bunny will need a small amount of a very
high quality rabbit pellet, an unlimited supply of fresh grass
hay at all times, and a wide variety of fresh greens daily.
12 SP R ING 2010 ANIMALTAL K
Next, you have bedding. Specialized bedding such as aspen
shavings (pine and cedar shavings are toxic and must never
be used), recycled newspaper, or hemp bedding are safe for
rabbits, but they are also more expensive than traditional litter.
Unlike cats, a rabbit’s litter box cannot be filled with clay kitty
litter. A rabbit is also going to need more than one litter box,
and can be expected to go through more supplies than a cat.
Last, you must always consider medical costs before
bringing a new bunny home. In the veterinary world, rabbits
are considered ‘exotic pets’. Thus, you will need to go to an
‘exotics specialist,’ instead of a regular vet who mostly treats
cats and dogs. As a specialist, these vets tend to charge
higher rates than cat and dog vets. Although most people will
find an annual checkup to be manageable, if your rabbit
develops a serious medical concern, you could be astounded
at how quickly the bills can add up.
Another thing you should think of is the space and time
required for your rabbit to lead a happy life. Many people
believe a rabbit has no real space requirements and can live
its entire life in a cage, getting out for the occasional snuggle.
The absolute smallest cage that should be considered for a
dwarf rabbit is 36”x24”x24”, although it would be best to set
up a large, indoor g pen, or build a custom, multi-level condo
for your bunny. On top of this, your rabbit must be allowed
a minimum of 4-6 hours of exercise time outside of his
enclosure every single day. If you cannot dedicate this time
to a bunny, it would be unkind to bring one into your home.
Most rabbit owners find that their rabbits are happiest if
allowed to be 100% free-range (rabbits can be completely
litterbox-trained, just like a cat).
Allowing your rabbit adequate exercise time requires that
you ‘rabbit-proof’ your home. Bunnies are notorious chewers
and some rabbits will make quick work of telephone cables,
electrical wires, leather shoes, purses, coats or couches,
wicker furniture, wooden furniture, carpets, books, and more.
The simple rule is this: whatever you don’t want your bunny
to chew, put out of its reach! You must accept that there may
be some casualties that you didn’t anticipate, and that this
is a natural instinct for your rabbit. However, proper rabbit-
proofing is essential not only to ensure your possessions
remain intact, but also to guarantee the safety of your rabbit
who could easily electrocute himself while chewing on a very
tempting wire.
Another thing it’s important to realize about rabbits is that,
in general, they don’t like to be handled. As prey species in
the wild, their instincts dictate that they want all four feet to be
on the ground, in case they need to make a fast escape from
a predator. This doesn’t mean that your rabbit won’t enjoy
snuggles! In fact, most rabbits love to be petted and cuddled
while you’re beside them on the ground, and many will hop
up on the couch for a snuggle while you’re watching TV.
But actually picking a rabbit up is a different thing altogether,
and you must understand that it’s unnatural and
uncomfortable for them.
Most people considering a rabbit as a pet do so because
they have young children and think a rabbit is an easy starter
pet. Rabbits are extremely delicate and require very practiced
and careful handling. Being accidentally dropped from even a
very low height can be very dangerous for a bunny. A rabbit’s
spine is very delicate and his legs very strong and powerful. If
a rabbit is held in a way that allows him to kick or struggle, he
may unintentionally break his own back simply by kicking out.
Children 7 years and younger do not possess the coordination
to hold a rabbit properly, and no child under 12 should ever
hold a bunny without constant supervision. As well, rabbits
require a calm, atmosphere in order to feel safe and secure.
Young children tend to be less predictable and could easily
make a bunny feel very stressed
Many parents decide to get a pet like a rabbit for their
children to teach them responsibility. Rabbits are very
sensitive, emotional beings and it is unkind to use them
as a lesson in responsibility.
If you have considered all there is to having a bunny in your
home and are prepared, please remember that thousands of
rabbits end up in shelters, like The Toronto Humane Society,
and they need your help to find a forever home. If you go to a
shelter to find a new bunny, you won’t just be getting a fabulous
new member of your family – you’ll also be saving a life!
A N I MA LTA L K S P R I NG 2010 13
Spring Advice
Newborn Wild Animals
Spring is around the corner and soon we
will be seeing wildlife again.
Unfortunately, it is very common for
well meaning members of the public to
bring baby wild animals to wildlife centers
when these tiny creatures should not be
removed from their natural habitat.
These wild babies include birds, squirrels,
raccoons, cottontails and many more.
Many people assume that baby wildlife
will have the same or better chance of
survival being at a wildlife centre than
with their mothers in the wild. In fact, the
success rate of rehabilitating wild baby
animals without their mothers is very
low. Also, it is sometimes assumed that
a mother will not accept its young once
it has been handled by a human. Wild
animals will likely accept their young
even if they have been accidently removed
or touched.
14 SP R ING 2010 ANIMALTAL K
If you do come into contact with baby
wildlife, it is important to minimize your
physical contact with them. Wildlife should
only be removed from its location if there
is an obvious injury to the animal, if it is
found in a completely inappropriate
location or if it is found beside an injured
or deceased member of its family.
You can visit www.torontohumanesoci-
ety.com for information on how to properly
address wildlife you may come across
this season.
Currently, The Toronto Humane Society
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center cannot
accept and care for wild animals. If you
have found a wild animal in distress, the
following resources are available to help:
Toronto Wildlife Centre: 416-631-0662
Ontario SPCA Wildlife
Rehabilitation Centre: 705-534-4350
Animal Control Services: 416-338-7297
Happy Tail Kuba
Kuba h
i, My name is Kuba. I am an
Australian Cattle Dog and am
about 4 years old. I came to the
THS in August of 2009 and was adopted
in February 2010. I am very happy with
my new family member Tom, in my new
home. I get to go on four walks a day,
including my favourite one in the morning
where I get to run off-leash for about an
hour in a nearby park. I get to meet other
dogs and people and play with them. I am
very friendly and outgoing and really enjoy
meeting new people.
I have made lots of friends, both people
and other dogs, in my apartment building
and look forward to the nightly get together
we all have in the local fenced-in dog
park. Even my neighbour, Gail, has really
taken to me and takes me on nice
long walks around the neighbourhood
most weekends.
I was placed into foster care with my
now permanent owner in January 2010
because the THS vet detected a heart
condition. I have a level 5 heart murmur,
the most serious is level 6. This could
have been potentially fatal for me. The
THS called in a cardiologist for a consult
and she looked at my heart condition. He
discovered that in addition to the murmur I
had another anomaly with the structure of
my heart. Fortunately, this second anomaly
seemed to cancel out the murmur that
could have been a serious problem. This
condition does not affect me in my daily
life and I have lots of energy and love to
play. Tom, my new friend, had a dog before
me that lived with a heart condition as well
so he is familiar with my needs and what
could happen.
My owner is very happy with me, and
I am very happy that he adopted me.
We really complement each other well.
A N I MA LTA L K S P R I NG 2010 15
 Save The
Animals Team
Be an animal’s best friend by sending a gift every month!

16 SP R ING 2010 ANIMALTAL K

Members of our SAVE THE ANIMALS TEAM provide the loyal Please consider joining today with a
and generous monthly support the animals count on. With your
gift of $18 a month (only 60 cents a day)!
help we are able to continue to feed, shelter and provide

Sign up today!
veterinary care for thousands of animals each year. The Toronto
Humane Society is a not-for-profit charitable organization and
we receive no government funding, however we are here 24/7 for
any lost, injured and abandoned animals that need us because www.SupportAnimalsNow.com
of your support. 416.392.2273 x2162

Join the Save the Animals Team, today!

Yes! The Animals Can Count On Me For Support!
Monthly DONATION 1 time gift

For as little as 60 cents a day, you can sponsor an animal Here is my single of: $_________________________
at The Toronto Humane Society™. Your donation will help
feed, shelter, provide healthcare, and eventually adopt an ■ My cheque or money order is enclosed.
animal into a loving home. Please make cheque payable to
■ $18.00 per month (60 cents/day) The Toronto Humane Society™.

■ $30.00 per month ($1.00/day)

■ I prefer to charge my gift:
■ $___________________ per month
■ VISA ■ MasterCard ■ American Express

■ Chequing Account: (Please enclose a cheque marked VOID.)

Deductions to start ■ 1st or ■ 15th
Card Number
or
Signature Expiry Date
■ Credit Card:
■ VISA ■ MasterCard ■ American Express
Phone Number Email
Deductions to start ■ 15th or ■ 27th

Card Number Expiry Date

I understand that this amount will be deducted from my bank account or charged to my credit card
Thank you
on behalf of all the animals
automatically on the 1st or 15th of each month or next business day.
I may revoke my authorization at any time, subject to providing notice to The Toronto Humane
Society™ allowing 30 days for processing. To obtain a sample cancellation form, or for more

you have helped today.

information on my right to cancel a Pre Authorized Debit (PAD) Agreement, I may contact my financial
institution or visit www.cdnpay.ca.
I have certain recourse rights if any debit does not comply with this agreement. For example,
I have the right to receive reimbursement for any debit that is not authorized or is not consistent
with this PAD. Agreement. To obtain more information on my recourse rights, I may contact my
financial institution or visit www.cdnpay.ca.
I agree to waive my right to receive pre-notification of any debits under this agreement.
I acknowledge that I can request to make changes to the amount noted above simply by
contacting The Toronto Humane Society™.

Please return this form with your donation to:

The Toronto Humane Society
Signature Date
11 River Street, Toronto, Ontario M5A 4C2
In order to keep you informed about important campaigns and to ask for support, we will from time
to time telephone and send mail to you. If you would prefer not to receive phone calls or mail please
T 416.392.2273 F 416.392.9978.
call and let us know, our number is 416.392.2273.
Occasionally, we make our donor list available to reputable charitable organizations whose
Charitable Reg. #11925-9513-RR0001
mission may be of interest to you. It is also a very cost efficient way to attract new donors to support
The Toronto Humane Society™.
Please find my donation enclosed, but do not make my name available. Receipts will be issued for gifts of $20 or more automatically – others on request.

A N I MA LTA L K S P R I NG 2010 17
Happy Tail Lex

Lex W
hen writing this letter about
my recent adoption of Lex in
February of this year I thought
it would be remiss of me not to mention
my first ever adoption from The Toronto
Humane Society in 1987 and the 17
fabulous years I spent with my Princess.
I knew when I lost her and her companion
I could never live without a cat in my life
ever again. I adopted Lex or Lexter as we
call him because of his infectious purr and
personality. Lex was brought to the THS
at 2 weeks old and was very ill. He ended
up losing his eye but let me tell you that
it does not slow him down! Because he
is still a kitten and not yet a year old he
bounds into a room, all eleven pounds of
him and races around the house talking to
himself – about everything. He had lived in
a cage all his life and having him home for
the first few days was so much fun. He had
never seen stairs, or furniture or his own
shadow. I have three other companion cats
at home which were unsure of him at first
because he’s so frisky and Lex couldn’t
understand why they didn’t like him. But
peace has settled in for the most part
except when Lex takes to one of his mad
dashes around the house and makes sure
everyone participates. Having only one eye
has not altered any of the joy and fun he
see’s in life and just adds to the amazing
experience that it is to have a loving pet
like Lex in my life.
catherine anne

18 SP R ING 2010 ANIMALTAL K

The Importance of
Spaying/Neutering Your Pet
source:
ontario Veterinary
medicaL association
WWW.oVma .orG

Every year in Ontario, tens of thousands of

dogs and cats are euthanized (put down)
because homes cannot be found for them.
Pet owners must take responsibility for
their companion animals by having them
spayed or neutered.
Spaying and neutering are safe surgical
operations that prevent animals from
reproducing. Spaying is the removal of
a female animal’s ovaries and uterus;
neutering is the removal of a male’s
testicles. These procedures generally
do not even require an overnight stay in
a veterinary clinic, and can eliminate or
significantly reduce the risk of an animal
developing numerous health problems,
some of which may shorten their lives.
These include reproductive cancers and
infections, as well as behaviour problems
such as territorial marking, destructiveness
and aggression. Animals that have been Spaying and neutering Should my female dog be
spayed or neutered are much less likely interfere with nature? allowed to have one litter?
to roam in search of mates. When female Domesticated dogs and cats are There’s no reason for a female dog to
dogs and cats are not spayed, they go into completely dependent on humans. It’s our have even one litter. It won’t make her a
heat and this can attract males. While responsibility as their guardians to make better companion, and it will increase the
searching for mates, animals can get hit sure the number of companion animals likelihood that she will develop mammary
by cars, injured in fights, or lost and even born doesn’t exceed the number of cancer. Spaying a dog before she goes into
stolen. Others end up in animal pounds. available homes. heat even once greatly reduces the risk of
Keeping animals inside doesn’t guarantee her developing mammary cancer.
safety, as they may escape by accident. What about other animals?
The safety of both male and female For health and behavioural reasons, spay- For more information about the
animals is dramatically increased if they ing and neutering are also recommended importance of spaying or neutering your
are spayed or neutered. for rabbits. Female ferrets should also pet, please contact your veterinarian.
be spayed. If they go into heat and don’t
common Questions mate, they can become anemic and die.
Will neutering my cat Veterinarians recommend spaying and
make him fat and lazy? neutering guinea pigs but consider surgery
Neutering might reduce an animal’s activity unsafe for small rodents such as hamsters
level, but this need not result in weight because of their size. Separating males
gain. A healthy diet and sufficient exercise from females is the best way to prevent
can help your pet maintain a healthy weight. small rodents from reproducing.

A N I MA LTA L K S P R I NG 2010 19
Adopt Me

Biscuits
Hello, my name is Biscuits. I am a 5 year old,
neutered male. I have been in the shelter since
January 2008. I am FIV+ so I should only go
to a home with no other cats, unless they are also
FIV+. If that’s the case, I love to hang out with
other FIV+ cats! I am not on any medication. I love
people, and like to be held. My purr is amazing,
so you’ll never want to put me down! If you think
you could give me the home I’ve been waiting
for, please ask about me at the cat desk.

Samantha
Hello, my name is Samantha, and I am a spayed
female bunny with a really sad story to tell. I came
to the shelter in March 2009 with my best friend,
Delilah, after our previous guardians left the country
without us. When we arrived at the shelter, Delilah
was very ill and she passed away shortly thereafter.
I am so lonely without my friend and am waiting to
find my forever family. If my new family is willing,
I may do well bonding to a neutered male bunny,
but I’d be okay on my own if you give me lots of love.
I’ve been here for a long time and would like to start
my new life so I can put my past behind me. If you
think you can give me a second chance at happiness,
please come and visit me in the small domestics
room, or call the small domestics department.

20 SP R ING 2010 ANIMALTAL K

Staff Profile Shannon
S
hannon came to work at The Toronto Humane
Society in early 2008. She began as a
Shelter Supervisor and enjoyed her job as it
was challenging, different everyday and not routine.
Shannon started a new role as the Inventory
Supervisor in January 2010.
When she started she immediately realized that
a system of inventory control was needed to
ensure that we had an accurate picture of what
supplies were in the shelter and what was needed.
She designed a computer database to
track inventory in real time which is also
able to issue reports on historical trends
of usage.
Her daily tasks include ordering all
food, medicine, cleaning supplies and
equipment for the shelter, vet clinic, and
foster parents. She ensures that all
supplies are up to date and that we meet
code on health and safety equipment.
Part of her tasks include budgeting and
forecasting for future orders. As well,
Shannon continually looks for lower prices
on similar or same items from different
suppliers to ensure that the Society is
getting best value for our dollars.
Shannon was also in charge of our Food
Donation Drive in early 2010 which provided
over 50 rescue groups and shelters with
food for the cats and dogs in their care.
Shannon has a BA and an MA from York
University. Shannon came to work at The
Toronto Humane Society because of her
love for animals. She had been a volunteer
with the Etobicoke Humane Society and
was pleased to find a position where she
could work full time to help animals.
A N I MA LTA L K S P R I NG 2010 21
 In Honour of…
Tribute gifts are a thoughtful and meaningful way of expressing your good wishes or commemorating an occasion.
With a minimum donation of $80.00, The Toronto Humane Society will print the name of the friend or family member you
choose to honour. This is a great way to acknowledge a loved one and help the many animals in our care.

Charles & Katy Balderston Kate MacLean

John Grand & David Kempson Miss Olivia J Eckersley

The Murphy Family Nathaniel

Adele Michael Anderson

Champ Irene and Fergus Ferguson

Justin Kanitz Lindsay Marie Gerby

Linda Carol Slipetz

Dr. Judith Bonkalo Dianne Piaskoski

Simon Robin Moore & Paul Moore

Andrea Hopson Scar

Nova Sanford Michael Downey

Michele and Mona Slepekis Christina Clifford

Sebastian Luca Speckles

Joules Kaitlin Dare

Dad & Lynda Tomayer

Louise Crawford Resmi Raveendran

Leila & Kayen Patricia Teramoto

Parth & Kyla Nancy McCarmen

Ian Fisher Carol Tomayer

Mr. Matthew C Forti

C A L L 416. 392. 2273 E X T. 2162 / 2166

22 SP R ING 2010 ANIMALTAL K
 In Memory of…
With a minimum gift of $80.00, The Toronto Humane Society
will print the name of the one to whom you wish to pay tribute. This is a great way
to acknowledge a loved one’s memory and help the animals.

Seiko Jennie Martha Fraser Jimmy

Fred E Jarman Bess Peanut
Alexander Arkin Mr. & Mrs. Singh Cleo
Ken Wendover Donna Elizabeth Ann Pellettier Taffy
Bronwen Connolly Roberta Farquhar Chelsea
Barbara Ecclestone Marion Picken Mojo & Kimmy and Cosmo & Sparky
Timothy Joyce V Munro Tyra
George Coffee Grey Owl
Connie Ogilvy Maggie Misty
Shelby Ninja Tyger
General Eaton Gus Jimmy
Betty Clarkson Rauha Lahdesmaki Mattie
Mish-Mish Ghafur Erich & Regina Grabner Izzy
Dawn Clark Herbert Taylor Barnes Teebor
Dora Himlin Franciska Dimitrov Ben
Norma Silverman Robert Toland Madeleine Pussycat Nedjem Nanders
Nate Rod Menzies Amber & Jeoie
Ben Lucicero Carola Rose Sinkic Pepper
Storm Christopher John Andrew Skinner Buster & Maggie
Pumpkin Chouinard Loraine Mary Moffit Spike, Baby and Cleo
Graeme Brown Chaplin Vera Winter
Michael Osborne Lola Jessie
Tobie Sharon D Hanson Dianne Trottier
Satchmo Creal – Boston Hopkins Teddy
Ross Cruickshank B M Campbell Buster
Josephine (Ma) Varriano Smokey Madeline
Beth & Eugene Wagner Jasmine Gizmo
Farley Kandy, Midri and the others Janie
Art & Audrey Waine River

C A L L 416. 392. 2273 E X T. 2162 / 2166

A N I MA LTA L K S P R I NG 2010 23
THS 2009 Financial Summary

09
2009 Stats:

Total Animals Admitted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8472

Total Animals Adopted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4928

Wildlife intake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1679

Wildlife releases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 559

Small mammals intake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 565

Small mammals adopted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403

Dogs intake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1382

Dogs adopted. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901

Cats intake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4701

Cats adopted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3492

Cats & dogs euthanized. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394 (6.4%)

Income and Expense by Month > JANUARY THROUGH DECEMBER 2009

$2 M

● Income
● Expense
$1. 5 M
$ 1M
$0. 5M
0

jan 09 FE B 0 9 MAR 0 9 A PR 0 9 MAY 0 9 JUN 09 JU L 09 AU G 09 SE P 09 OCT 0 9 NOV 0 9 DEC 0 9

24 SP R ING 2010 ANIMALTAL K

THS 2009 Financial Summary

Income Summary

● Fundraising 62.02 %
● Bequests 30.55
● Adoption Income 4.73
● Investments 2.36
● Rental Income 0.28
● Life Insurance Premium 0.06

Total $10,185,311.15

Expense Summary

● Wages & Salaries 39.40 %

● Animal Care Expenses 17.11
● Building Maintenance Expenses 11.63
● Office & General Expenses 9.66
● Fundraising 9.50
● Marketing / Advertising 8.58
● Amortization/Depreciation Expenses 3.89
● Investment Expenses 0.22

Total $9,969,251.60

Wages & Salaries

● Animal Care 83 %
● Adminsitration 17 %

A N I MA LTA L K S P R I NG 2010 25
26 SP R ING 2010 ANIMALTAL K
Happy Tail Shas
Shas i
n early February, we had the joy of
bringing a charming (not so)-little degu,
named Shas, back to his forever home
with us. Shas had been at THS since
August and had tragically lost his long-time
companion about a week before we were
introduced. As all degu lovers know, these
sociable pets cannot bear to be alone
for long (and Shas was apparently and
understandably growing more depressed
by the day) so one can just imagine his
excitement when he arrived home only to
be greeted by two new degu friends! The
change in his mood was immediate and
truly undescribable. The reaction of our
existing degu family, too, was priceless
as they were more than eager to welcome
Shas to his new place – he fit right in;
it was love at first sight all around. I have
since discovered that aside from his
new pals, Shas loves Timothy Hay and
head rubs. He’s nearly lost his balance
several times while straining to allow
us unimpeded access to his furry chin!
It’s not difficult to see why everyone
who meets Shas, adores him. We feel
incredibly lucky to have Shas as a
permanent member of our family.
emiLie m
A N I MA LTA L K S P R I NG 2010 27
AnimalTalk Kids Activity
1
THS Crossword Puzzle
ACROSS
2
2. These animals meow!
3. These animals bark!
5. These animals hop!

DOW N
3 1. This animal jumps in Australia!
3. These birds quack!
4 4. These animals oink!

AnimalTalk Fun Facts

• A domestic cat can frighten a
black bear to climb a tree.
• Dolphins sleep with one eye open.
• Bulls are colour blind.
• Chickens can’t swallow while they are upside down.
• A goldfish has a memory span of 3 seconds.
• A mule won’t sink in quicksand but a donkey will.
• The typical hen lays 19 dozen eggs a year.
• The only dog that doesn’t
have a pink tongue is the Chow Chow.
• Zebras can’t see the color orange.
• It is possible to lead a cow upstairs but not downstairs.
• A rat can go without water longer than a camel can.
28 SP R ING 2010 ANIMALTAL K
Animal Word Search
F I ND TH ES E WO RDS
C AT
C OW
DOG
FISH
H O RSE
M O USE
P IG
RABBIT
T URT L E

The Great Escape! Horse Ranch Maze

➜ ➜