Written by Lauralee Dorst, RVT, CVPM

At the heart of everything we do at Toronto Humane Society is a simple truth: pets are family. They’re companions, confidants, and in many cases, lifelines. I’ve worked in animal welfare for years now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the human-animal bond is deeply resilient—even in the face of poverty, crisis, or housing insecurity. That belief shapes our work in Community Animal Welfare every single day.

We believe every pet deserves access to high-quality, compassionate care—regardless of their guardian’s financial situation. And we know that most people want to do right by their pets; they just need support. That’s why our programs are designed to meet families where they are—literally and figuratively—and to remove the barriers that prevent pets from receiving care or remaining in their homes.

Expanding Access to Veterinary Care

In August 2023, we launched our second medical clinic at our 11 River Street location—the S-Clinic. This clinic allowed us to offer more affordable spay/neuter surgeries, dental care, and wellness services to members of the public, many of whom had been struggling to find timely or affordable veterinary care.

By making these services more accessible, we’re helping families prevent emergency situations before they arise. Because sometimes, an unaffordable dental cleaning today becomes a painful, life-threatening infection tomorrow. Since opening, the S-Clinic has played a key role in helping us care for over 15,000 animals in 2024 alone. That number represents more than just pets—it represents the families, guardians, and communities who rely on us to keep their animals safe and healthy.

This year, we’ve also been increasing our presence through Community Pop-Up Wellness Clinics, which bring veterinary care directly to underserved neighbourhoods. These one-day clinics provide basic services—like vaccinations, microchips, and wellness exams—to families who may not otherwise be able to travel to our shelter or access a private veterinary appointment. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re exploring options to scale this work even further, including a satellite location to reach even more families.

Education that That Builds the Human-Bond

Our commitment to community support extends beyond medical care. Through our Training and Behaviour team, we’ve developed a range of group classes and one-on-one services that help families understand their pets and build trust-based relationships.

This part of our work is especially close to my heart. I’ve seen countless transformations happen in our training rooms: a timid dog who wouldn’t make eye contact on day one learning to confidently take a treat from a stranger by week three; a frustrated pet parent, ready to give up, discovering the joy of communication and partnership with their animal.

We offer everything from Foundation Skills to Agility, Scent Detection, and Recall, with new class formats and locations being added all the time. Because training is not just about obedience—it’s about connection. And the more we empower people to connect with their pets, the stronger their bond becomes.

To support even more families, we also introduced online learning courses designed to meet people where they are—whether that’s at home after work or on their phone during a commute. These self-paced resources cover everything from common behaviour concerns to enrichment tips. We’ve already had 77 pet guardians register since launching earlier this year, which tells us loud and clear: people are eager to learn. We just need to make the knowledge accessible.

Community Support That Wraps Around Families

A pet’s wellbeing is often a reflection of their family’s wellbeing. That’s why our Pet Parent Support Network is such a vital part of our community strategy. In 2024, this network has already helped over 3,600 families by offering behavioural consultations, training resources, food and supplies, and emergency veterinary referrals.

What makes this program so special is how human it is. Whether someone calls us looking for advice on their dog’s sudden change in behaviour, or walks through our doors needing food and flea prevention, they’re met with kindness and without judgment. They’re met by someone who sees their love for their pet and wants to help them preserve that relationship.

Our Community Days are another important piece of this work. Held twice a month, these events provide families in need with free pet supplies—everything from collars and harnesses to beds and enrichment toys. And it’s not just about the items; it’s about the sense of care and community that comes with them. When people come to a Community Day, they’re greeted with smiles, given time and attention, and reminded that they are not alone.

Our Pet Food Bank, open daily, has been a lifesaver for many families this year. With the cost of living rising and economic uncertainty impacting so many households, we’ve distributed thousands of pounds of pet food to ensure no animal goes hungry and no one has to choose between feeding themselves or their pet.

This work wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated volunteers, who have donated over 300 hours of service this year alone. Their commitment and compassion are the heartbeat of this program, and I’m constantly inspired by the relationships they build with the families they support.

Urgent Care: A Lifeline in Times of Crisis

One of the programs I’m most proud of is our Urgent Care Program, which provides temporary foster placement and veterinary support for pets whose guardians are facing short-term crises—such as hospitalization, fleeing domestic violence, or experiencing homelessness.

These are families who love their animals fiercely but are forced into impossible situations. In the past, these challenges often resulted in pet surrender. But our Urgent Care Program offers a different path—one that keeps families intact. In 2024, we’ve supported 95 families and cared for 119 beloved pets through this program.

The impact is profound. I’ve spoken with guardians who said that knowing their pet was safe gave them the strength to focus on their own healing. One woman, fleeing an abusive partner, told us that her dog had been her only constant through years of instability. Placing him in our Urgent Care foster program meant she could finally access shelter and counseling services. That’s the kind of ripple effect this work creates—not just safety for pets, but hope and healing for people.

A Future of Greater Access and Compassion

As we look to the future, one thing is clear: the need is growing, and so is our response. We are listening to our communities. We are expanding our services. We are constantly reimagining what it means to support people and their pets.

Because true animal welfare is about more than rescue—it’s about prevention. It’s about education, access, dignity, and trust. It’s about giving families the tools they need to stay together and thrive.

And it’s about recognizing that the well-being of animals is deeply connected to the well-being of people. That’s the heart of our work. That’s what keeps me going every day. And that’s what drives our mission forward. With continued support from our community, partners, and advocates like you, I know we can create a more compassionate future for pets and their people—together.