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. 

Summit 2013 Poll 1 WINNERS!

The 2013 Summit Awards gala is underway. Winners of the first poll have been announced! 

Community Compliance 

Ontario SPCA with 50% of the votes

Distinguished Service Provider 

Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society with 61% of the votes

Product or Service Innovation 

Working on Our Future with 33% of the votes

Sheltering 

Animal Welfare Agency of South Central Ontario with 54% of the votes

Stay tuned for Poll 2 winners! 

Social media in the urban animal industry

Kitchener-Waterloo Humane cat adoption rates have increased 67% from January to March of 2013 as a result of a social media campaign to market its shelter animals. 

Christine Lishman accepted the Adoption Co-ordinater position last fall and turned to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to tell the stories of pets that had been at the shelter for 30 days or more. 

In a few short months, more than 7,500 people 'Like' K-W Humane on Facebook, 1,800 people follow the Society's Twitter feed and at least 20 videos on YouTube.

READ THE ARTICLE

At the 2013 Urban Animal Regional Conference in Calgary last month, delegates learned the Edmonton Humane Society also utilizes social media to leverage shelter adoptions. With more than 34,000 Facebook fans, 7,500 Twitter followers, 513 YouTube subscribers, a Pinterest page featuring adoptable animals and a well-read blog, EHS has one of the strongest social media platforms in the urban animal industry in Canada. 

Quarantine Lifted for Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society

Following several weeks of segregation, the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society announced last week that quarantine has been lifted, operations are back to normal and nearly 450 animals are ready for adoption. 

A suspected ringworm outbreak in early August forced the suspension of adoptions and euthanasia of four animals. Shelter staff worked tirelessly for weeks to manage and treat the illness and clean the facility. In fact, the society says it spent more than $45,000 on medications, cleaning products, special clothing for staff and the acquisition of two trailers used for quarantine and shelter overflow purposes.

A massive collaborative effort by dozens of surrounding humane societies, SPCAs and individuals ensured that the impact of the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane closure was as minimal and smooth as possible. Donations of food, supplies and materials poured in from across the province. 

I also want to recognize and thank the many organizations that supported and assisted us with information, advice and in some cases, considerable assistance in housing our animals.   -  Jack Kinch, Executive Director, KWHS Humane

Quarantine resulted in a number of obstacles, which the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society must now overcome. During its closure, the shelter continued to accept stray or abandoned animals leaving the facility at capacity. At the same time, the shelter closure reduced adoption revenue by more than $40,000. The Society operates without any form of funding from the government so hopes to recoup these costs through adoptions and donations. 

"I want to sincerely thank and congratulate all the staff, but particularly our Animal Care Staff for their dedication in following difficult processes and protocols in fighting this disease," said Kinch in an industry email. 

"Their commitment to the care and attention of the animals and their environment was instrumental in our successful control and management of the disease."