NEWS RELEASES Archives - Edmonton Humane Society

Media Statement: Edmonton Humane Society Ending Enforcement of the Animal Protection Act (APA)

MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY ENDING ENFORCEMENT OF THE ANIMAL PROTECTION (APA) EDMONTON, AB (January 22, 2019) – The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) can confirm that their volunteer Board of Directors has voted to end the enforcement of the Animal Protection Act (APA) as of January 31, 2019. EHS has voluntarily been providing APA enforcement services within Edmonton. The service was funded primarily through donations and a portion of a City of Edmonton grant, with no provincial government funding. Upcoming policy changes under the provincial Peace Officer Act forced EHS to evaluate the viability of its enforcement program and whether the new requirements could be met. “This decision was made in early December 2018 and was a very difficult one for our organization,” said Summer Bradko, EHS Board Chair. “EHS has been working behind the scenes to help facilitate the transition of this important service to another agency.” EHS has recognized the organization is not an expert in enforcement. This change will allow EHS to re-focus on their areas of expertise, which includes animal welfare and advocacy. EHS will continue to serve abandoned, abused and neglected animals by giving them a safe haven to receive proper care and a second chance through the sheltering services. EHS is currently working with the City of Edmonton and the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of [...]

By ehs|2019-01-23T09:19:23+00:00January 22, 2019|

News Release: Independent Investigation Recommends Changes at Edmonton Humane Society Following Cat Transport Incident

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION RECOMMENDS CHANGES AT EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY FOLLOWING CAT TRANSPORT INCIDENT EDMONTON, AB (December 20, 2018) – An independent investigation has found that a combination of unfortunate events, human error and operational shortcomings at the Edmonton Humane Society led to an incident where three cats were accidentally left in a transport van for 22 days last spring. “The Edmonton Humane Society deeply regrets what happened and is committed to learning from this difficult chapter in our more than 110 year history,” said Summer Bradko, Edmonton Humane Society Board Chair. “This third-party investigation has been an important step in identifying what went wrong and what we need to fix at EHS. Although we have already made changes to improve our processes, we still have work to do and will continue to evolve as an organization and to advance animal welfare in our community.” The investigation confirmed that the three male cats - Magic, Chance & Lucky - survived the incident and were later treated for minor injuries and adopted to new families. The Edmonton Humane Society’s Board of Directors commissioned the independent investigation last June in order to determine exactly how the incident happened and make recommendations to improve the non-profit organization’s animal welfare and staff practices and protocols. Former Edmonton City Councillor Kim Krushell volunteered to oversee the investigation, which [...]

By ehs|2018-12-20T17:03:54+00:00December 20, 2018|

News Release: Edmonton Humane Society Appealing For Information In Neglected Dog Case

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY APPEALING FOR INFORMATION IN NEGLECTED DOG CASE Shih Tzu type dog was brought to the animal shelter after allegedly being left inside a garbage bag enclosed in a cardboard box in a parking lot. EDMONTON, AB (November 26, 2018) – The Edmonton Humane Society’s (EHS) Animal Protection Officers are requesting the public’s assistance in an attempt to identify the owner of a neglected dog brought into their care. The Shih Tzu-type dog was admitted to the animal shelter on November 3, 2018, after a Good Samaritan allegedly found the dog tied inside a garbage bag within a closed cardboard box and left in the northeast corner of the Costco parking lot located at 12450 149 Street NW, Edmonton. The dog is male, black and white in colour, and estimated to be five years of age. “The manner in which the dog was left and his condition upon arrival is extremely concerning,” said Peace Officer Bodnarchuk, Supervisor of Animal Protection Services at EHS. “In the entry exam, our medical team noted that his entire body was covered in dense mats tight to the skin, to the point where they were preventing him from defecating. The mats were also caked in urine and feces. Matting to this extent can cause discomfort and damage to the skin and joints, leading to pain. [...]

By ehs|2018-11-26T16:10:26+00:00November 26, 2018|

News Release: Forever Home Found for Trio of Bonded Saint Bernard Dogs

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOREVER HOME FOUND FOR TRIO OF BONDED SAINT BERNARD DOGS Gasket, Gunther and Goliath have now been adopted from the Edmonton Humane Society and are settling in to their new home in Calgary. EDMONTON, AB (October 18, 2018) – The three Saint Bernard dogs who won the hearts of people worldwide are now in the comfort of their forever home with their newly adopted family. Gasket, Gunther and Goliath’s adoption was finalized at the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) on October 17. Their new family was chosen after EHS received hundreds of inquiries to adopt the dogs, which resulted in a week-long process of reviewing applications to narrow down potential adopters for both phone and in-person interviews. The family chosen is from Calgary and first saw the dogs’ story from a local media outlet online and said they immediately knew they would be a perfect fit. The couple are devoted proponents of adoption, having previously adopted numerous pets as well as one of their two children, who are ages 10 and 16. Gasket, Gunther and Goliath, along with the family’s other dog, will have plenty of room to run and play in their one-acre fenced yard. “We are beyond excited to be giving these three dogs their forever home,” said the family, who wishes to remain anonymous while they adjust to [...]

By ehs|2018-10-18T11:49:03+00:00October 18, 2018|

News Release: Trio of Saint Bernard Dogs Looking For Their Forever Home

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TRIO OF SAINT BERNARD DOGS LOOKING FOR THEIR FOREVER HOME The Edmonton Humane Society is searching for a family to take in all three brothers, who are bonded with each other. EDMONTON, AB (October 9, 2018) – The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) is facing a giant adoption challenge – literally. Three adult Saint Bernard dogs are looking for their forever home and must be adopted all together. Goliath, Gunther and Gasket were transferred in to EHS’ care from another animal welfare agency. The dogs are estimated to be approximately two years old. While friendly and playful, their behaviour assessment showed signs of the trio being bonded with each other, including high levels of anxiety, searching, and attempting to escape in order to find each other when separated. As a result, EHS is requiring that they go to the same home. “These three gentle giants have won over the hearts of staff and volunteers – even with the excessive drool,” said Jamey Blair, Manager of Animal Health & Protection at EHS. “While their status as bonded pets creates a unique challenge to find a home that can care for all 350 pounds of them, we are confident that there is a family out there who will give these three dogs their second chance.” “We also wanted to ensure their welfare and [...]

By ehs|2018-10-09T12:15:03+00:00October 9, 2018|

News Release: Edmonton Humane Society Announces Yoga for Mental Health & Wellness Program

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY ANNOUNCES YOGA FOR MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAM The class will integrate yoga and the power of animal interactions to support those living with mental health challenges. EDMONTON, AB (October 5, 2018) –The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) is launching a one-of-a-kind program that integrates yoga and the power of the human-animal bond to support members of the community living with mental health challenges. The announcement comes during Mental Illness Awareness week, which educates people about the realities of living with mental illness. Yoga for Mental Health & Wellness is a six-week class beginning October 16 at the Edmonton Humane Society. An information session will be held on October 9 for both those signed up for the course and those interested in participating. “Research has shown that the presence of animals, whether one’s own pet or an unfamiliar pet, helps people to relax,” said Aimee Winegarden, Director of Resource Development at EHS. “Our Humane Education Department set out to create a course to put this knowledge into play and we’re excited to share the course with our community.” The six-week course has been created in partnership with Lisa Gaglione, a certified yoga instructor and registered nurse, who herself has experienced PTSD, anxiety and depression and used yoga as a tool to help manage the stress. Gaglione will be [...]

By ehs|2018-10-05T11:59:22+00:00October 5, 2018|

News Release: Edmonton Humane Society’s Adoption Event Successful Thanks to Outpouring of Support

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY’S ADOPTION EVENT SUCCESSFUL THANKS TO OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT Nearly all animals find their forever homes in first day of the ‘Clear Our Shelter’ Adoption Event including animals seized from a local pet store in late February. EDMONTON, AB (March 23, 2018) – The Edmonton Humane Society’s (EHS) “Clear Our Shelter” adoption event started today, and was a resounding success with nearly all of the available animals finding forever homes. EHS held the event because of an unusually high number of animals coming up for adoption, due to a recent seizure by their Animal Protection Officers from a local pet store. The animals were seized on February 27, after a concern was brought forward that they had been abandoned. Initially the animals were placed on a mandatory hold. Once the hold was lifted and EHS took legal ownership of the animals, they moved quickly to re-home the animals to ensure their optimal health and welfare. “We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community,” said Evan Lawlor, EHS spokesperson. “A constant stream of inquiries about the animals has been coming in since the event was announced Monday. The attention it received led to an increase in traffic at the shelter even before the event officially started.” The increase in traffic benefited animals that were already up [...]

By ehs|2018-08-15T10:38:31+00:00March 23, 2018|

News Release: Edmonton Humane Society Granted Ownership of Iverson Dogs

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY GRANTED OWNERSHIP OF IVERSON DOGS First civil-suit of its kind by EHS gives full ownership of dogs seized in November 2016 EDMONTON, AB (January 4, 2018) – Earlier today, a judge granted the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) full ownership of 34 bully-breed dogs seized in November 2016. EHS filed a civil suit against Justin Iverson in April 2017 for ownership of the dogs, which have been in protective custody with the animal shelter for over a year. The dogs were seized by EHS’ Animal Protection Officers in November 2016 after a complaint was received regarding the conditions of the breeding operation where they were being kept. Iverson was charged with eight counts under the Animal Protection Act (APA) in December 2016, including causing or permitting an animal to be in distress, failure to provide adequate food and water, failure to provide adequate care when wounded or ill, and failure to provide adequate shelter, ventilation and space. Additional charges were also laid under the Criminal Code of Canada by Edmonton Police Services. A separate set of charges was later laid against Iverson by RCMP, after an additional nine dogs were seized from a residence outside of Edmonton. “We are pleased with the judge’s ruling to grant EHS ownership of these dogs” said Miranda Jordan-Smith, Chief Executive Officer. “This case [...]

By ehs|2018-08-15T10:42:27+00:00January 4, 2018|