Executive Director

Garth Jerome

Garth Jerome is the newly appointed Executive Director of The Toronto Humane Society. The Society is very pleased to have an expert in the field of animal care heading our organization. His expertise coupled with a love and respect for animals made him the right choice for this challenging and rewarding position.
Garth was born and raised in Johannesburg. South Africa. He completed a Bachelor degree in Microbiology at the SA Institute of Technology, In South Africa.

After completing his degree in 1992, he completed a 1 year internship with the Department of Agriculture and thereafter was offered a permanent position as a Veterinary Technologist in the Directorate of Animal Health.

He continued to work for the department, upon his secondment to the South African Defence Force (SADF). He was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant and still holds the rank to this day. He served as a Senior Medical and Veterinary Technologist in the SADF throughout his national service. His military service gave him insight into medicine, large animal veterinary care and companion animal work, predominantly with dogs. He left the public service in 1996, following teaching for 2 years.

Garth worked for 7 ½ years as a managing consultant with a large food company. This position provided more experience with industrial microbiology and quality control techniques. He left the food industry in 2003 and spent 4 years at a private laboratory as Product and Laboratory Manager.
Garth obtained his permanent residency in Canada before he arrived in Toronto in January 2008. He joined The Toronto Humane Society as the staff Microbiologist.

Garth was appointed Shelter Manager by the current Board of Directors on November 27, 2009 and appointed to Executive Director on February 12, 2010. The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Society. The Board of Directors will oversee general policy and goals to move the organization forward. The delegation of running the shelter will be led by the Executive Director, who will oversee staff at all levels.

Operations Manager

Bernard Bignall

Bernard is the Operations Manager at the Toronto Humane Society. He is responsible for the day to day operations of the 11 River St. and the Satellite adoption center at 2802 Victoria Park Ave. location.

After graduating high school he went to work for a cruise line based out of Florida

Bernard immigrated to Canada in 1992 where he worked in the automotive industry as a machine operator and was promoted to plant supervisor.

Since there is a special place in his heart for the animals he is thrilled to be given an opportunity to work with animals and a group of people that cares a lot about the well-being of all animals.

He started working at The Humane Society four years ago as a shelter Supervisor where he earned the trust and respect of his peers and fellow workers as an exemplary leader.

In his spare time he likes spending time with his family, his wife of 21 years, his 3 kids, and his 2 pet Shihtzu’s, Buster and Teddy, both of whom he adopted from the THS and his cat that he rescued as a kitten with a heart murmur who is now 10 years old.

Fundraising Administrator

Stephanie Ratcliff

Stephanie Ratcliff is The Toronto Humane Society's Fundraising Administrator.

Stephanie joined the Toronto Humane Society fundraising team in the summer of 2008. Prior to joining the Toronto Humane Society, Stephanie applied her direct to consumer and loyalty marketing skills in the publishing industry. Stephanie graduated from the University of Western Ontario and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Financial Controller

Catherine Anne MacDonald

Catherine Anne was thrilled, as a life long animal lover to join the THS in January 2009.  She has 20 years of accounting experience in various industries.  Previous to joining THS she was the financial Controller of a Television station.  She and her husband live with 4 cats, Artr & Morgan (“the tabbies”) adopted from Annex Cat Rescue in 2003, KiKi (“the beauty Queen”) adopted THS Oct 2009 and LEX “the one eyed miniature Newfie” adopted THS Feb 2010.

Manager - Executive Department

Claudette Turner

Claudette Turner is Manager of the Executive Department. 

She graduated from the University of Toronto with a major in English.

Prior to coming to the THS she worked in the publishing, law and charitable areas.

The Executive Department provides administrative support for the Executive Director, the Board of Directors and the Society’s membership.

Claudette is also responsible for insurance matters, human resources and office management functions, and trademarks.

Claudette and her husband John live with their adorable little poodle Joey who came to the THS 10 years ago as a 4 month old puppy who had been abused by his previous owner, and Merlin, a former feral cat, aged 7, who is an example that feral cats can be socialized and can live in a loving home.

Shelter Administrator

Glenda Neatt

Glenda has always been a friend to animals; she grew up with a Beagle-mix dog, two black and white cats and a teddy bear hamster.  Glenda has a background in early childhood education. In 2002, she became a Certified Dog Trainer, helping families with their canine companions. Since becoming a dog trainer, Glenda has had a keen interest in animal behavior science and has attended many seminars, workshops and classes in this specialty.  Glenda started working at the Toronto Humane Society in July of 2006 as a member of the Canine Services Department.  She managed the Victoria Park Adoption Centre for the last 2 years and recently came back to the shelter to help with the new training programs.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time in her country home with her family, 4 dogs (Sylvie and Lily the Pugs, Apache the Great Dane, Sable the Belgian Malinios) and Bootsy the foster cat.