Dear Editor:
Following the recent announcement by the Ontario Government of the new Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS Act), it is important that the public understand the history and structure of humane societies and SPCAs in Ontario.
For more than 125 years, the Guelph Humane Society (GHS) has provided shelter and care for animals, humane education and animal protection with the support of generous donors. GHS is an independent charitable organization governed by a volunteer board of directors from our community – Guelph and Wellington County.
GHS is not a division, branch or subsidiary of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is located in Stouffville, just outside of Toronto.
Until March of 2019, the OSPCA held the government contract to enforce the legislation, protecting abused and neglected animals. GHS was known as an affiliate of the OSPCA through a third-party agreement and was contracted to employ local inspectors to serve and protect animals in Guelph and Wellington.
On June 29, 2019, the Ontario government launched a new, temporary system to protect animals in Ontario after the OSPCA declined to accept the responsibility any longer. GHS notified the Solicitor General’s office that we wanted to be part of the solution for animals. We have worked diligently over the last six months to ensure no animals fell through the cracks during this transition.
GHS will continue to provide animal protection in our community until Jan. 1, 2020 when the new legislation begins, and the province takes over animal protection. GHS will work with and support the Ontario government to provide a seamless transition for the future. Our goal remains the same – ensuring no animal falls through the cracks.
In addition to supporting the province, GHS will continue to offer all the services we always have to our community. We will continue to shelter homeless pets and they will be cared for by our compassionate team of staff and volunteers. We will continue working closely with organizations in our community to help vulnerable people and pets through the Pets in Transition program, a partnership with Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis and CMHA Wellington.
We will continue working closely with local municipalities. We will continue educating the public about proper care of animals and provide support to the community.
It is important for the general public to know and understand that when they support the Guelph Humane Society with their donations, those funds make a difference in our community – Guelph and Wellington County.
Adrienne McBride,
Executive director,
Guelph Humane Society