Animal Tales Working with a Compassionate Team - Kingston Humane Society
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Until every
pet is
Summer 2019 wanted
your gift
Animal Tales is needed
Working with a Compassionate Team
I’ve been the Executive Director of the Kingston
Humane Society since April 29th and just three
weeks after my start date, my wife Ginette and
I said goodbye to our 17-year-old dilute tortoise
shell, longhaired cat, Molly. Molly had the loudest
purr, loved to play “hand-bitey” games and was
steadfast and strong in the face of any dog that
came for a visit. If you’re reading this newsletter,
the odds are that you’ve lost a family member like
Molly and the odds are, it broke your heart like it
broke mine and like it broke Ginette’s. appropriate information, another calmed the ailing
Now, imagine if you can, working in an occupation cat and one of our veterinary technicians readied
where that was a part – even just a small part – to take her for a medical assessment. As I watched
of your job description. In early May, a woman our team deal with the situation, I was unsure
pulled into the KHS parking lot and knocked at the about how I could help. I sat down beside the
front door. She was accompanied by a man, who woman’s brother, introduced myself and asked if I
turned out to be her brother and she was gingerly could do anything. He indicated that his sister was
holding a cat carrier in her right hand. We don’t worried that her beloved pet would be alone as
open to the public until 11, but sensing that this its life came to an end. I had recently been made
woman needed help we unlocked the door. It was aware of the palliative care strategy we had in
immediately apparent that she was very distressed. place, so the information was fresh in my mind.
Inside the cat carrier was her version of “Molly” – a I explained to him that when we reach the difficult
20 year-old long-haired cat that was suffering from decision that ending an animal’s life is the only
end stage congestive heart failure. The woman alternative to eliminate suffering or torment, we
was wiping away tears. She couldn’t afford the end ensure that they are with one of our vet staff from
of life care her little beauty obviously deserved. the beginning of the process until it’s over.
While one staff member took down the Continued on page 2
Continued from page 1 As I watched the woman head back out to her
Not one single animal is ever left alone. This car, I could feel her loss and her grief but I also
gave him great comfort and as he passed along felt a sense of comfort knowing that the staff had
the information to his sister, I could see she was been professional, compassionate and caring.
relieved too. I’m proud of every single staff member that I
So many animal welfare agencies are terrified of work at the Kingston Humane Society because
the word, “euthanasia” but we recognize the fact I understand the emotional toll inherent in their
that, sadly, it is our last resort. job and yet, they show up every day because
the good they can do as a team, outweighs the
We never euthanize for space.
saddest parts of the job.
We never euthanize based on time in the shelter.
On April 29th, I was pretty confident in my
However, when severely injured, sick or decision to change my career path and join the
untreatable animals are surrendered to us by KHS but on this sad and sunny day in May, it was
the public or by the municipality and we’ve undeniable; this was the place I was meant to be.
exhausted all alternatives, it’s our duty to end
their suffering as humanely as possible.
Our Mission
Another shelter might have turned away a The Kingston Humane Society is committed to
woman with a dying 20 year-old cat. advocating for and improving the lives of animals
Another shelter might have just said, “Sorry, within our community.
we’re not open.”
Our Vision
Another shelter might have refused to accept an A compassionate community where the well-being
animal that they knew in all likelihood, they would of animals is valued and respected
have to euthanize.
We did none of those things. We opened our
How we work
• Compassion and professionalism
doors and offered to provide comfort and love • Promoting and offering programs and services to
to this beautiful animal as she passed away. help animals
We did the humane thing because it’s our • Promoting the humane treatment of animals
mandate. When that results in euthanasia, it • Supporting responsible pet ownership
takes a tremendous toll on our staff. A toll that • Working with volunteers, partners and donors
unless you’ve done it before – you can’t really and the community to make a positive difference
in the lives of animals
comprehend.
Until every pet is wanted
your gift is needed Summer 2019 – 2
Your gift is needed
Meet our Pet Detective Volunteer Janet Burgess
& Helper Gracie
Thank you Janet for everything you do for our
fur friends in need.
Janet – “I’ve been volunteering with the
KHS for many years, but became interested in
the Pet Detective program when I learned that
very few stray cats were being reclaimed. At
the same time there was a binder full of reports
submitted by people looking for their lost
Janet plays an essential role in reuniting owners pets. The job of the Pet Detective was to try
with their lost pets. The Kingston Humane to match up strays with their homes … not an
Society (KHS) receives hundreds of missing easy task since it is so difficult to tell one black
animal reports each year. The Pet Detective cat, or one grey tabby, from another. I enjoy the
program was put in place to significantly detective work and have been able to make a
increase the likelihood of animals being few matches - it always feels good when a cat
reunited with their loved ones. Janet comes or dog is reunited with a worried owner. I also
into the shelter every weekend to go over lost volunteer with the Kingston Community Lost
animal reports submitted by the public. She and Found Pets Facebook page and with the
takes the information from the reports, puts help of the community we have been able to
it into a custom spreadsheet and targets the get many more pets back home.
neighbourhood where the pet was lost. Then, If you have a lost animal, please visit our
she cross references social media posts to try to website for more information https://
find a match. Janet is often considered a hero kingstonhumanesociety.ca/lost-found-help/
by families who have been reunited with a pet;
a pet they were uncertain they would ever see
again. Thanks to Janet’s superior detective skills
many pets are back, safe and happy in their
forever homes.
Until every pet is wanted
3 – Summer 2019 your gift is needed
From Zero to Hiro – Finding a Home for South
Korean Rescues
of dogs from a South Korean dog meat farm, I felt
inspired and wanted to help. But when I watched
the videos posted by Humane Society International
that showed the deplorable conditions at the farm,
I was devastated. Working from home often, I
knew I could provide one of these petrified dogs
with a patient and caring home. I knew these
dogs would have their challenges and quirks, but I
was confident that I was ready. When I visited the
As animal advocates, it’s hard for us to even utter shelter and saw Hiro, I was saddened by his distrust
the words, “dog meat farm”. The concept is so of people. It was then that I truly realized just how
foreign and so gruesome that it is outside of any emotionally scarred he was. Any movement, sound,
common, Canadian frame of reference. As for or touch caused Hiro to panic and shake in fear.
the conditions these poor animals lived in, it was He wouldn’t walk with me or play with me. It was a
unimaginable. In 2018, when the Humane Society week of carrying him up two flights of stairs just to
International first contacted us about receiving get him outdoors.
dogs that had been rescued from a South Korean
One year later, and I could not have dreamed of a
dog meat facility, we all shuddered but on April
more perfect companion. Hiro is a quirky, funny,
10, 2018 we moved from quickly from disbelief
inquisitive, and affectionate dog. He loves toys,
and horror to action. Since then, we’ve accepted
doing “zoomies” throughout the living room, and
a second transfer of rescues from identical
stealing and chewing on articles of clothing that
circumstances. The current total from 2018 and
don’t belong to him. He loves playing with other
2019 is 16 dogs. They were anti-social, battling
dogs and is the perfect couch potato. I’m sure we
parasites and myriad medical issues. They were
will continue to have challenges, like his sensitive
distrustful and terrified.
stomach or his fear of loud sounds and new people,
In the summer of 2018, when I learned that the but he has grown and given back to me so much
Kingston Humane Society was assisting with the more than I have invested in him.
international efforts in helping re-home hundreds
- Michael, a Kingston Humane Society adopter
Until every pet is wanted
your gift is needed Summer 2019 – 4Your gift is needed
Partners in Animal We’re bowled over by
Welfare your support!
We are supported by many organizations A big thank-you to everyone who helped make
throughout Ontario. Without them, the world the 2019 Bowl for the Animals a huge success!!
would be an even more difficult place for We had 26 amazing teams join us in a day of fun
discarded and uncared for animals. and helped us raise for the first time ever over
We accept transfers from: $15,000 through pledge donations, sponsorships
Humane Society International, One Last and canteen sales. The winner of our highest
Chance, Quinte Humane Society, Napanee online pledge was Christie Haaima, she won a
OSPCA, Toronto Humane Society, Ottawa Napoleon Hampton Fire Table Valued at $999.00,
Humane Society, Pound Dog Rescue, Empty donated by Royal Canin.
Ontario Shelters (a network of rescues and To all bowlers who collected pledges, those
shelters, including for-profit pounds)
who supported by donating, event sponsors,
We Transfer to: volunteers the animals thank you!
TEAM Dog and TEAM Cat Rescues, Rocky Road
Special thank you to our event sponsors:
Rescue, K9 Crusaders, Sheba’s Haven, Bullies in
Need, Ottawa Dog Rescue, Speaking of Dogs,
Platinum sponsors
Homeward Bound, Kingston Animal Rescue,
Hank’s Haven
As well as multiple breed specific rescues,
such as:
Boxer Rescue Ontario, Doberman Rescue,
Golden Rescue, Bulldog Rescue Ontario, Danes
Gold sponsors
in Distress
This is a partial list. If we had space, we
could add 25-50 others. We’re proud of
our relationships with fellow animal welfare Media sponsors
advocates. It says a lot for our organization as a
whole, that we have a friendly, working rapport
with that many rescue groups.
Until every pet is wanted
5 – Summer 2019 your gift is neededKHS 2020 Best 21st Annual Big Paws
Friends Calendar September 22nd
We will once again be creating Our biggest and most important fundraiser of the year,
Our Best Friends 2020 Calendar! Big Paws — a K9 pledge walk with many other pet-related
We will be including 13 special activities — takes place Sunday, September 22nd at Lake
animals that came into our care Ontario Park in Kingston.
and melted our hearts from our
Registration/check-in begins at 9:30 AM and the walk begins
files. These are animals who
at 11 AM. The day will also include a vendor marketplace,
recovered and found homes
gourmet food, live music, pet photos, agility course, and
due to the generosity of our
games for our canine and human friends. Remember you
supporters. Each month these
don’t have to have a dog to take part in the walk. Come out
staff favourites will remind you
to support the KHS and enjoy a fun day at the park!
of the work and impact your
Visit kingstonhumanesociety.ca for information on our
support has had for an animal.
planned activities and for sponsorship and vendor details.
Until every pet is wanted
your gift is needed Summer 2019 – 6Your gift is needed
Low-Cost, Spay/Neuter Solutions Mark Your Calendar!!
The Kingston Humane Society is committed to addressing Microchip/small animal nail trim clinics
Cost: $20. For upcoming clinic
the need for a low cost spay/neuter program. We are looking
dates, please see our social media
at fundraising possibilities to build or purchase a low cost accounts or visit our website at www.
spay/neuter clinic. As part of that strategy, we’ll also be kingstonhumanesociety.ca.
reviewing the most feasible method of operating a clinic. As a
2020 Our Best Friends calendar
municipal partner and a not-for-profit, we need to be fiscally Submit a high-resolution photo
accountable. Building a clinic but operating it at a loss is to see your pet in the 2020 Our
neither fiscally accountable nor economically viable. Best Friends calendar. Cost is $40;
calendar is included. Photo submission
We are also actively working to create a short-term solution.
deadline: August 19th. Download the
We’ve reached out to 16 different local vet clinics to see if submission form from our website.
they’re able to help us with a temporary initiative. The idea Big Paws 2019
we pitched was that each clinic would open their doors one On September 22nd, drop by our
day per month to provide low cost spay/neuters. If all sixteen biggest fundraiser of the year: Big
were on board with this idea, each clinic would only need to Paws, a pledge walk for people and
their canine friends. Details on facing
participate once every 16 months – a reasonable request.
page.
We already have five veterinarians who have agreed to either
Online Auction 2019
make their clinics available, or come to us on days when we’re
Be sure to check out our online
not performing surgeries. auction that will run from November
In addition, for the first time since February of 2018, The 1st to 30th. There will be lots of great
items for all family members.
Kingston Association for Responsible Pet Ownership (KARPO)
met and decided - with the financial support and backing Home for the Holidays
of Jason Malley of Pet Valu - that we would arrange for Enjoy family fun and help homeless
animals at the shelter coming up in
the Niagara Region mobile spay/neuter clinic to come to
December! Our annual Home for
Kingston. As of this writing, the dates have not been set but the Holidays open house will include
the group was confident that they would be able to organize apple cider, shelter tours, and reduced
a visit by this brand new vehicle for a weekend in the early adoption fees for cats/ kittens.
fall. We will update the public via social and conventional Christmas trees and wreaths will be on
sale, with part of the proceeds going
media as soon as the dates are finalized.
to the KHS.
Until every pet is wanted
7 – Summer 2019 your gift is needed1 Binnington Court, Kingston ON K7M 8M9
Phone: 613-546-1291
Email: board@kingstonhumanesociety.ca
Website: kingstonhumanesociety.ca
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Want to support our community's homeless shelter
animals and save money on your pet’s food? The
Kingston Humane Society is proud to sell Royal Canin!
Drop by the shelter anytime during business hours to
pick up a bag and visit with our shelter residents.
No HST charged!
Shelter hours The shelter will be closed on the following dates:
July 1st (Canada Day)
Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Please note we are open August 5th (Civic Holiday)
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM September 2nd (Labour Day)You can also read
