EHS, Author at Edmonton Humane Society

Make an Impact This #GivingTuesday

On Tuesday, November 28, the Edmonton Humane Society is joining #GivingTuesday - a global movement to inspire people to give back to the causes they feel passionate about. Each and every day homeless, neglected and abandoned companion animals enter our doors in need of a warm, safe space and compassionate care until they can find their new families. By making a gift this #GivingTuesday, you can make a difference in their lives and the families who give them a home. Each gift will make a difference in the lives of animals, like Gigi... With a gentle disposition and a loud purr, Gigi came to EHS in need of serious medical help when she contracted an eye infection. When the infection got out of control, her eye needed to be surgically removed so she could start recovery and return to the life of a happy house cat. Thankfully, she was able to get the care she needed for a pain-free life all because of generous animal lovers - like you. Yes, I'm Ready to Make an Impact! As a charity, we understand the value and importance of every dollar. And we know many are facing financial challenges right now. If making a monetary gift isn't possible right now, you can still be a part [...]

By EHS|2023-11-29T08:50:33-07:00November 23, 2023|

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This federal statutory holiday was created in response to Call to Action 80, honouring the Survivors, their families, communities, and those affected by residential schools. We acknowledge that systemic discrimination and trauma are continually present in the lives of Indigenous Peoples. The Edmonton Humane Society's Administrative offices will be closed on Monday, October 2 in observance of this day. As an organization, we have been reflecting and learning about the important history and path forward for truth and reconciliation in Canada, and we encourage our supporters to do the same with the below resources: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action Calls to Action Accountability: A 2021 Status Update on Reconciliation by the Yellowhead Institute Beyond 94 by CBC – a website that monitors the progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions’ 94 Calls to Action Indigenous Canada – a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) offered by the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta Aboriginal Worldviews and Education – online course offered by the University of Toronto Read for Reconciliation Book List by Raven Reads Local organizations to consider volunteering or supporting: Creating Hope Society of Alberta Bent Arrow Canadian Native Friendship Centre Events to participate in: Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk Register Here Panel Discussion: Indigenous [...]

By EHS|2023-09-29T14:51:05-06:00September 29, 2023|

How to Plan a Pet Safe Halloween

Updated: September 26, 2023 Like many holidays, Halloween’s a great excuse to stock up on sweets and treats. Having all of these extra goodies around is not only a major temptation to people, but also our pets. As our friend Dr. Ted Purcell says, “Have a plan for today!” “Treats and candies are not safe in a bag on the floor, a chair or bench – you need to be very mindful on Halloween, not just during, but also before and after.” Beware of These Halloween Hazards for Pets Here are some things for pet guardians to keep in mind to ensure they and their pets have an enjoyable evening. Protect Your Pet from Toxic Treats Amongst all the candies, chocolate is one of the most toxic for pets – Smaller chocolate covered items, such as raisins, are double trouble. Not only are both chocolate and raisins (dried grapes) toxic to pets, but the size and shape mimic many of the popular treats our companion animals may be used to scavenging from under chairs or tucked in cushions. The effect on a pet will depend on the amount and type of chocolate as well as the size of pet. Should your pet ingest something dangerous, we recommend you contact your veterinarian or for [...]

By EHS|2023-10-03T10:16:07-06:00September 29, 2023|

A Guide to Getting Your Home Ready for Visually Impaired Pets

Animals are adept at using multiple senses. Dogs and cats rely heavily on their sense of smell and hearing to navigate their surroundings, so by making use of these senses, we can help our pets feel safe while familiarizing themselves with their new home. Practicing patience and keeping your home environment consistent are important when working with your visually impaired pet. It can take a new pet months to adjust and learn where things are in their new surroundings. Visually impaired companion animals can live a full and happy life with you. In this guide we’ll provide some tips to help your visually impaired pet adjust to life in your home. Utilize Their Sense of Smell Animals rely heavily on their sense of smell. To help your pet learn about the different areas in your home, you can use different scents to assist them in identifying each area. When choosing scents, we recommend consulting with your veterinarian to make sure they’re safe for your pet. Since animals have very sensitive noses, only use small amounts of the scent and always make sure your pet can’t ingest the scent. Help Your Pet Orient Themselves with Textured Surfaces Using textured materials, such as rugs to mark areas in your home, can help your pet learn [...]

By EHS|2023-09-26T15:56:42-06:00August 23, 2023|

Collaborative Leadership in Animal Welfare

Meaningful change within animal welfare requires skilled and collaborative leadership. But what if those in leadership don’t have an animal welfare background? How much of a difference can they make? In truth, a transformative difference. Transformative Difference For over 20 years, Liza Sunley, EHS CEO, has dedicated her career to understanding the underpinnings of organizational success within the charitable sector. In other words, she has become an expert in building successful organizations, based on the foundational pieces supporting the mission and long-term growth of an organization.These foundational pieces include long-term strategies, programming, finance, fundraising, governance and human resources.Organizations addressing critical issues in social services, health, education and environment all require these foundational pieces, and animal welfare is no different.In fact, the more knowledge, perspectives and diversity of experience brought into an animal welfare charity through its leadership, the stronger the organization becomes, which directly benefits the animals. An Animal Welfare Lens Liza completed the Animal Shelter Management Certificate from the University of the Pacific and recently achieved her Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) designation from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement. The CAWA designation is designed to support and recognize best practices within the profession. “These programs were broad, and it wasn’t just about animal care,” says Liza. “It was looking at leadership, [...]

By EHS|2023-06-12T10:31:50-06:00June 12, 2023|

EHS Responds to Coventry Homes Allegations

Edmonton Humane Society Response to Allegations of Sexual Violence and Impropriety at Coventry Homes PUBLIC STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON, AB JUNE 1, 2023 We recently became aware of allegations of sexual violence and impropriety at Coventry Homes. EHS has been a recipient of donations through Coventry Homes since 2008. The Edmonton Humane Society takes allegations of sexual violence extremely seriously and are deeply concerned about this situation. I want to assure our stakeholders that we are actively assessing the situation and gathering information to make informed decisions on our next steps as a recipient organization. At EHS, we value our staff and volunteers. It is one of our core values. We demonstrate this by: Providing a safe working environment. We have established robust policies and procedures to address workplace safety. We are committed to ensuring our employees and volunteers feel safe, respected and supported. Providing clear channels for individuals to report incidents of misconduct, including safety, harassment, abuse and sexual violence. We encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed such behavior to come forward, and we assure them that their concerns are taken seriously, handled confidentially and followed up with immediately. Taking reports seriously and investigating them swiftly, handling them confidentially and providing follow up information to the complainant. As we continue to gather information about this situation, we will update our [...]

By EHS|2023-06-02T11:17:51-06:00June 1, 2023|

Preparing Your Pet for Fireworks Celebrations

Updated: May 31, 2023 Prepping Pets for Fireworks Celebrations Celebrations that involve fireworks can be very stressful for our pets, since they experience the world differently than we do. For an animal, fireworks are unexpected and unpredictable, and the noise and physical sensations fireworks create can cause a lot of stress. Here are some helpful tips and strategies to help make fireworks less scary and keep your pets safe. Before the Event 1. Seek Veterinary Advice: If you have concerns, speak with your vet before the event. Your vet may be able to prescribe medication or treatments to help your pet feel more comfortable during the fireworks. Contacting your vet ahead of time will give you time to try the medication and make sure it’s right for your pet. Pheromone devices like Adaptil and Feliway plug ins or collars may be useful for calming some pets. 2. Practice - If there is a holiday where fireworks are typically set off, help your pet learn to associate loud noises with good things. Practice by carrying treats with you and any time your pet hears a loud noise, like something being dropped on the ground, or a loud car passing by, give your pet plenty of treats. Desensitizing your pet in a positive way, can help them better cope. 3. Set Up [...]

By EHS|2023-06-05T08:55:03-06:00May 31, 2023|

EHS Responds to Animal Cruelty Investigation Related to Incident in Northwest Edmonton

Statement on Horrific Torture and Killing of a Cat in Northwest Edmonton MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON, AB (May 17, 2023) – The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) is deeply saddened and concerned about the recent incident in which a cat was tortured and killed in the microwave during a break and enter in northwest Edmonton. “This is a horrific act of cruelty, and our hearts go out to the family who lost their beloved cat and witnessed the aftermath of this disturbing assault,” says CEO Liza Sunley. “We are thankful that Edmonton has a dedicated Animal Cruelty Investigation Unit (ACIU) who is taking this investigation seriously.” EHS urges anyone with information about this crime to come forward and contact Edmonton Police Service. “We also encourage parents, educators and community leaders to use this tragedy as an opportunity to teach young people about the importance of respecting the animals we share our world with,” added Sunley. “There is a well-established link between violence against animals and violence against humans, and it is crucial that we work together to prevent both.” As part of their efforts to foster the humane treatment of all animals, EHS offers Humane Education programming for kids and youth including camps and presentations for schools and groups. Research has shown that Humane Education can reduce and prevent violence towards [...]

By EHS|2023-05-17T15:21:19-06:00May 17, 2023|

Spending Time Safely Outdoors With Your Pet

Published: September 18, 2020 / Last Update: May 16, 2023 Top Reasons to Get Outdoors With Your Pet! Exploring the outdoors isn’t just for dogs – you can do it with your other pets too! Why should you get outdoors with your pets? Being outdoors can support the mental health of people and pets by reducing boredom, depression and anxiety. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and sunlight. Staying active has numerous health benefits and can help lift your spirits. Letting your pet roll around in the grass, on sidewalks or patios can help your them cool off and scratch some itches they may be unable to reach on their own. Always be sure to brush their coat before they go back indoors or into your vehicle to keep them from consuming anything they may have rolled in. Spending time outdoors together is a great way to bond with your pet! If you are enjoying time outdoors with your pet, the first thing we recommend is to check your local weather and air-quality conditions. We want to make sure everyone stays safe and has a great outdoor experience. Check Your Local Weather Check Your Local Air Quality 10 Outdoor Pet-Cautions Here are some other things to keep in mind when outside with your dog, cat or rabbit – the three [...]

By EHS|2023-06-29T08:42:29-06:00May 16, 2023|

EHS Works with Community Partners to Assist Evacuees From Wildfires

EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY WORKING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN EDMONTON TO ASSIST EVACUEES MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UPDATE May 23, 2023 EHS has learned from our partners at the City of Edmonton that the temporary evacuation center set up at the Edmonton Expo Centre will be closing today at 4pm. EHS has supported our partners at the City of Edmonton’s Animal Care and Control Centre with donations to support evacuees during this time. We wish to thank our community for providing donations of items and monetary gifts to support pets impacted by the wildfires. We will continue to provide necessary items to those in need through direct pick-up at EHS, and though our ongoing partnerships such as Alberta SPCA and others as the need arises. While we don’t require any additional donations at this time, we will continue to use the donated items to support those impacted for as long as the need is there. UPDATE May 8, 2023 Current list of high need items include: Plastic crates (all sizes) XL wire crates Dog and cat collars, harnesses and leashes Large blankets and towels Large dog toys Cat litter and litter boxes Dry dog and cat food Timothy hay and food for small animals New items and unopened food are preferred. Donation bins are located outside our admitting doors. Monetary donations can [...]

By EHS|2023-05-23T16:42:30-06:00May 5, 2023|

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