GUELPH, ON (April 12, 2018) – The Guelph Humane Society (GHS) will be receiving an award from the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) for its work with wildlife in our community. The award, for Leadership and Innovation in Wildlife Programming, will aptly be presented to the GHS on Earth Day – April 22nd – at the National Animal Welfare Conference hosted in Calgary, AB.
Over the past two years, the GHS has intensified community education about wildlife through social media, their website and communication with callers and visitors, as well as grown the organization’s program for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. The staff and volunteers have taken on this work because of their passion to help wildlife, in addition to their regular roles helping domestic and farm animals at GHS.
“Our animal welfare heroes deserve national recognition, and Guelph Humane Society is one of the heroic Canadian organizations creating innovative new programs to improve animal welfare,” says Barbara Cartwright, CEO of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, which created the CFHS Animal Welfare Leadership & Innovation Awards. “We’re inspired by their achievements for wildlife, and we congratulate them on their upcoming award.”
Reason for the award:
Since implementing an enhanced wildlife program two years ago, GHS has dramatically increased the number of sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife that it has taken in, while also focusing efforts on public education and elevating how wildlife are perceived in the community. Borrowing concepts from innovative domestic animal programs, GHS made drastic changes to the way wild animals are triaged. The organization also provides training to all staff on standards of care for wild species, regardless of their role or position, to ensure the team has the skills and expertise necessary to provide a high-level of care to a diverse array of species.
In 2017, the GHS fielded 1000’s of wildlife-related phone calls from concerned residents and provided short-term care to approximately 1250 wild animals in need of direct intervention due to injury or illness. That number represents a two-fold increase since the improved program was implemented, and includes a number of species considered a population-at-risk. In addition, GHS implemented a staff-driven wildlife committee that manages a wildlife triage system and is responsible for the care, feeding and short-term housing of wild animals in the shelter, as well arranging for their transport to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator via the shelter’s network of volunteer wildlife drivers.
The GHS is also excited to have been selected to present at the National Animal Welfare Conference, hosted by CFHS in Calgary, AB from April 22-23rd. The presentation, ‘How a Domestic Animal Shelter Can Help Save Wild Lives’, is being presented by two of GHS’s full-time staff and aims to teach other animal welfare organizations how they too can create and implement a similar program.
“We are very proud of our efforts to advocate for all animals, including wildlife,” says Guelph Humane Society Executive Director, Adrienne McBride. “To be recognized at the national level for our local efforts is very meaningful, both for our organization, and for our community that supports our work. Our goal is to be available to help citizens when they find sick, injured or orphaned animals, whether it is a cat or a wild bird or a skunk.”
ABOUT THE CFHS ANIMAL WELFARE LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION AWARDS
Created in 2016, the CFHS Animal Welfare Leadership & Innovation Awards recognize shining examples of the good things that are happening in Canadian animal welfare, bringing together those who work with and care for animals to promote respect and humane treatment toward all animals. The awards are an initiative of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.
ABOUT THE CANADIAN FEDERATION OF HUMANE SOCIETIES
The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies is Canada’s federation of SPCAs and humane societies. As the national voice for Canadian SPCAs and humane societies, we drive positive, progressive change to end animal cruelty, improve animal protection and promote the humane treatment of all animals. Visit www.cfhs.ca
ABOUT THE Guelph Humane Society:
The Guelph Humane Society advocates for all animals, and in particular those animals whose lives we can influence, through care, education, community support, protection, and leadership. Founded in 1893, the Guelph Humane Society provides care and shelter for approximately 3,000 homeless, stray, injured and abused animals each year. GHS is a registered charitable, non-profit organization that does not receive government funding. Visit www.guelphhumane.ca to discover more.
PHOTO: An orphaned Eastern Grey Squirrel receiving triage care at GHS
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Media Contact:
Adrienne McBride, Executive Director
ED@guelphhumane.ca
Guelph Humane Society