Etobicoke Humane Society eager for continued donations to keep its doors open

WATCH ABOVE: Hundreds of furry faces are counting on you. The doors at one Toronto animal shelter are at risk of closing for good. Angie Seth with how you can help before it’s too late.

For the past 25 years, the Etobicoke Humane Society has been home to thousands of abandoned animals. The EHS rescues hundreds of animals each year, providing them veterinary services, food, shelter and grooming. The organization started because of the large demand for animal rescue in Etobicoke and surrounding areas as far as Milton and Caledon. But just a couple of months ago, EHS was on the brink of closing its doors for good due to a lack of funds to cover the costs of keeping things running. A $50,000 donation from the Eric S. Margolis Family Foundation and contributions from monthly donors kept the centre’s doors open, but the reprieve could be a brief one.

The rent for the building is $5000, and veterinary services can cost anywhere from $5000 to $10,000 per month. “We aren’t government funded. We are 100 percent donation based, and 100 percent volunteer run, so nobody who works with us is paid,” said Krissy Petluck, Media Relations for EHS. What many people do not know is EHS is not affiliated with the Toronto Humane Society. It is a private entity and does not receive any government funds. Monthly donations are critical for EHS to keep its full-service facility running.

“We provide them with their vet care, so all the animals have to be spayed and neutered before they are adopted out depending on their age. So they all get vet checks when they come in and they are provided with their food and care by the volunteers, who come in for 3 hours shifts, 3 time throughout the day,” Petluck said.

“The animals are alone for 1 hour time frames throughout the day. We try and create something as close as we can to a home environment for them until we can find them a forever home.” Earlier this year, a 10-year-old dog was dropped off at the shelter with severe health issues. The pup required surgery, which cost the shelter thousands of dollars and put a strain on their funds.

25 years ago, EHS began operating out of a residential basement. At that time, it was known as the Etobicoke Animal Welfare Association and strictly for cats. Since then, it has expanded due to the demand and need for animal care. In 2012, EHS moved to a larger shelter on Six Point Road in Etobicoke, which allowed them to expand their care to dogs.

Some of the animals coming into the shelter have heart-breaking stories of abandonment and abuse. A dog named Remy was caged by his owners for 12 to 15 hours a day. According to EHS staff, he was never taken for walks or able to socialize with other animals, so volunteers are working to ease his fear of humans. Petluck said these animals are in dire need of a good home—without EHS, their future is grim.

EHS will be re-launching its Save A Shelter Campaign in 2015. It will involve raising awareness about the need for the shelter, encourage people to adopt a pet, and incorporate a number of events, from the annual Leashes by the Lake Walk, to fundraising activities throughout the year.

“What we are really looking for now is monthly donations from people who can donate $5 or $10 a month so that we can have a steady income coming in every month,” Petluck said.

But if their financial situation does not improve in the near future, EHS will once again face the threat of closure and the hundreds of animals they save from abuse, neglect and abandonment each year will have to find space at another shelter, most of which are already at capacity. To donate or adopt a pet, log onto the EHS website at www.etobicokehumanesociety.com.