KWHS believes Every Animal Deserves a Chance

The Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society is reaching out to organizations and individuals to accomplish its goal of saving 1,200 animal lives in 2013. 

KWHS invested more than $250,000 into the Every Animal Deserves a Chance campaign and is seeking similar investments from the community. All money donated through the campaign goes directly to animal care and adoption programs. 

To make a donation call 519-745-5615 or Click here 

The KWHS is a registered charity and receives no government funding.

AWASCO receives 2013 Sheltering summit

Kathy Innocente, AWASCO (left) and 
Chrissy Gaetan, Petsecure (right)

Local collaboration and shared opportunity in south central Ontario has been recognized at a national level by the Urban Animal Program. 

The Summit Award for sheltering, sponsored by Petsecure, recognizes an organization that best addresses the care of animals in shelters, pounds, retail outlets, kennels, veterinary clinics/hospitals, grooming shops and breeding facilities. In 2013, the Animal Welfare Agency of South Central Ontario (AWASCO) was presented with this prestigious award at the second of four cross-Canada stops on the 2013 Summit Award Tour in Cambridge, Ontario.

In July 2012, the Ontario SPCA Perth Branch officially merged with the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society (KWHS) creating the new Animal Welfare Agency of South Central Ontario. The communities of Perth County, Kitchener-Waterloo and North Waterloo Region are still served by their local shelters as well as the regional branches operating as Stratford-Perth Humane Society and the KWHS. These two branches share resources, senior staff and expertise providing new opportunities to cooperate and collaborate in providing better and expanded services to the communities within these two regions and shelter, care and protection for its animals. 

With 54% of ballots cast, AWASCO was recognized and rewarded by the Urban Animal industry for completing the amalgamation of the Perth and Kitchener-Waterloo agencies and for increasing the live release rate of the organization to 90%. As of August 31, 2013, AWASCO had reached its goal of increasing adoptions by 87% and decreasing euthanasia by 192%. 

Kitchener-Waterloo Humane awarded second Distinguished Service Provider Summit Award

Ellie Locke, Pets Plus Us (left) and
 Holly Wiseman, KWHS (right)

The Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society was recognized as a leader in 
education when it was presented with its second Urban Animal Summit award for Distinguished Service Provider at the 2013 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies in October. 

The KWHS believes that all animals deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, empathy and compassion and that animals have an intrinsic value in improving the quality of life for individuals, families and communities. Their public education programs have impacted thousands of people across the K-W area to  communicate this ethic and ultimately protect people and pets in the community. 

"We believe that it is through a vibrant education program that we will be able to reduce the reasons why animals are mistreated, neglected and relinquished." - KWHS 

Education programs are multi-faceted, impacting children, youth, adults and seniors annually though: school presentations, Junior Vet Club (for young children), Hands-On Humane Club (for older children), the Pet Sitting Course (for teens), P.D. Day Critter Camps, School field trips to the KWHS and Animaniacs  Summer and March Break day camps. 

Sponsored by CDMV, the Summit Award for Distinguished Service Provider recognizes a service provider in the Urban Animal industry that is distinguished by the level of achievement and impact on the lives of people and pets within a community. Kitchener-Waterloo Humane has been the recipient of this award two years in a row for their education programs. 

For more information about KWHS education programs, visit www.kwhumane.com

About KWHS
The Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society is one of the largest humane societies in Ontario serving one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas. Over 18,000 sq.ft. of space allows them to care for 62 dogs, 165 cats and an assortment of birds, small mammals and reptiles. In emergency situations, the centre can be quickly altered to house up to 400 animals. The KWHS provides humane education, law enforcement and sheltering of animals in the community. 

About the Urban Animal Summit Awards
The Summit Awards are focused on recognizing those within communities and within the companion animal industry who are achieving success. They are presented annually by the Summit Alumni using an academy style system of nominations and election by secret ballot for each category. 
Nominees for the Summit Awards include individuals, agencies, organizations and corporations from all five sectors of the companion animal industry.