NEWS RELEASES

MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY SUPPORTS EPS’ ANNOUNCEMENT OF ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATION UNIT EDMONTON, AB (November 23, 2021) – The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) is thrilled to learn today that the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has launched an Animal Cruelty Investigation Unit. EHS wholeheartedly supports the move by EPS to have a dedicated unit for investigating concerns of animal cruelty. Animal abuse persists in our community, and we see first-hand in our work caring for animals the unfortunate lasting effects that it can have on the those involved. It is critical that these cases be attended to by law enforcement professionals both for the protection of animals as well as people. The evidence of the violence link between harm towards animals and people is undeniable, and with focused, timely attention on these cases by EPS the lives of both animals and people will be saved. We are proud to be in a community with a police service that recognizes the importance of the violence link and applaud EPS for their steps to address it with this new investigation unit. We look forward to continuing working with Const. Ilka Cunningham, Const. Ted Dyck, the newly formed ACIU team, as well as our partners at the City of Edmonton’s Animal Care & Control Centre to provide our services in whatever way we can [...]

New Partnership Aims to Prevent Surrenders of Sick & Injured Pets Edmonton Humane Society and Tails of Help Launch Pilot Project to Keep Pets with their Families We're thrilled to announce today that we have joined forces with Tails of Help, another local charity, to launch a new pilot project that aims to reduce surrenders of sick and injured pets when their guardians face financial hardship. The goal during this pilot is to help one family per month receive essential veterinary care for their pet due to unexpected, one-time incidents so that they can keep their pet in their home. “We’ve all faced tough times in life where one unexpected bill – such as for a sick or injured pet – forces us to make an impossible choice,” said Liza Sunley, CEO of the Edmonton Humane Society. “It’s a heartbreaking decision for someone to have to surrender or euthanize their pet because they cannot afford the necessary veterinary care. With this program, Tails of Help and EHS can help them get through these challenges and maintain that human-animal bond.” Of the nearly 500 companion animals who were surrendered into EHS’ care in the past 18 months, just over 10% of them were due to financial hardship or pet health-related reasons. This is consistent with the rate that was seen in 2019, [...]

A Better Adoption Experience for People & Pets EHS Becomes First Shelter in Canada to Adopt New Technology, Adōpets The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) has adopted a new technology, Adōpets, to create a better adoption experience for people and get animals into loving homes faster. The new system launches today, Tuesday June 1, and will help us automate and simplify the adoption process. By doing so, we can spend more time on what matters most: matching people and pets to facilitate happy and successful lifelong bonds. EHS strives to be a model of excellence in animal welfare and sheltering and will be the first animal shelter in Canada to fully launch Adōpets. As the world becomes increasingly digital, it’s important we embrace the latest technology to do our jobs as best as we can now and into the future. A few of the benefits Adōpets will bring for adopters include: The ability to view multiple photos of EHS adoptables. Additional search filters and info on the available animals – such as size – helping you find your perfect pet. Your own adopter account to save your info and favourite pets. You no longer have to restart the whole process every time you find a pet you’re interested in. No more daily limits on adoption requests. We can accept your [...]

NOTICE OF BLACKBAUD CYBERSECURITY INCIDENT August 7, 2020 On July 16, 2020 the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) was advised of a data security incident that may have involved the personal information of our supporters. EHS takes the protection and proper use of your donor information very seriously and in the interest of transparency, we are committed to providing details of the incident. What Happened We were notified by Blackbaud, the third-party service provider who hosts the database used in managing EHS’ fundraising activities, of a security incident. At this time, we understand Blackbaud discovered and stopped a ransomware attack. After discovering the attack, Blackbaud’s Cyber Security team—together with independent forensics experts and law enforcement— successfully prevented the cybercriminal from blocking their system access and fully encrypting files and ultimately expelled them from their system. Prior to locking the cybercriminal out, the cybercriminal removed a copy of the EHS backup file containing personal information of our supporters. This occurred at some point beginning on February 7, 2020 and access could have incurred intermittently until May 20, 2020. Because protecting customers’ data is their top priority, our third-party service provider, Blackbaud, paid the cybercriminal’s demand with confirmation that the copy they removed containing EHS’ data had been destroyed. Based on the nature of the incident, Blackbaud’s research, and third party (including law enforcement) investigation, Blackbaud has [...]

COVID-19 Updates from EHS This page is updated regularly with information about how EHS is responding to COVID-19 as the situation develops. To review our most up-to-date program statuses and updates, see below: October 4, 2021 - Message From our CEO liza sunley Have questions on how COVID-19 may impact pets? Check Out Our COVID-19 Resources for Pet Guardians Important Note: EHS has implemented the Restrictions Exemption Program and will be requiring proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test, or medical exemption letter for any in-person services for anyone aged 12 and up. Please see list below for applicable services, or read our update here. CURRENT STATUS OF PROGRAMS/SERVICES Status Legend: Modified - program/service is currently running with changes On Hold / Temporarily Closed - program/service is not running at this time Cancelled - program/service will not be running in 2021 Program or Service Current Status Expected Opening Admitting Modified Limited intake of animals by appointment dependent on availability, including: emergencies, surrenders, and healthy stray dogs and small animals (found outside Edmonton). For information on surrendering a pet, click here. For emergencies or strays found outside Edmonton, call 780-491-3522. Drop-off and pick-up will be done curbside. If required to enter the building, proof of vaccination, negative test, or medical exemption will be required. Adoptions Modified Online adoption process with meet-and-greet [...]

IMPORTANT NOTICE: SHELTER OPENING DELAYED TODAY DUE TO POWER OUTAGE Due to a current power outage in our area, the opening of our shelter will be delayed until at least 2 p.m. today, Sunday November 17th. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please check back here for updates. --

MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY RESPONSE TO RECENT CAT SEIZURE EDMONTON, AB (October 22, 2019) – We were saddened to learn about the recent animal cruelty case which resulted in 39 cats being euthanized at Animal Care & Control Centre (ACCC). Of the remaining cats, we can confirm that four were transferred into EHS’ care on October 4 and 5. Unfortunately, we had to make the difficult decision to euthanize one of the cats for medical reasons as its condition was not improving. The remaining three cats are well enough for re-homing. We cannot comment on their conditions however and will not be revealing their identities due to the ongoing investigation and for the safety of the cats. We want to express our thanks to our partners at Animal Care & Control Centre (ACCC) and Edmonton Police Service (EPS) for their work on this case. We are grateful that the cats have been removed from this situation so that they can be relieved of their suffering, and that we could be a part of the journey to finding three of them a home where they will be well-loved and cared for. We would like to take this opportunity to remind the community the importance of reporting any concerns for animals who may be neglected or abandoned to the City of Edmonton [...]

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY UNVEILS MOBILE SPAY AND NEUTER UNIT New mobile program will expand the reach of the Prevent Another Litter Subsidy (PALS) program through removing transport barrier EDMONTON, AB (September 24, 2019) – The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) is taking its spay and neuter services on the road, introducing a new mobile surgical unit to the community at the Bissell Centre today. The new vehicle will help the Society to make its Prevent Another Litter Subsidy (PALS) spay and neuter program more accessible. “We are very proud to see the dream of having a mobile spay and neuter vehicle realized, and excited for the possibilities it brings for our Prevent Another Litter Subsidy program,” said Liza Sunley, CEO of the Edmonton Humane Society. “This project has been in progress for three years now and was made possible thanks to our generous donors, including the Gordon & Diane Buchanan Family Foundation.” Spay and neuter surgeries will be taking place in the mobile unit today at the Bissell Centre as part of a pilot project for the mobile program, so EHS can plan for a full launch in 2020. EHS is also hoping to connect with community members to raise awareness for the program and discuss the other barriers that exist, so they can continue to make it more accessible. [...]

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DOGS AND PUPPIES FROM RECENT ANIMAL PROTECTION CASE PLACED IN QUARANTINE AS A PRECAUTION EDMONTON, AB (August 16, 2019) – The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) has placed the Havanese dogs and puppies who were involved in a recent animal protection case in quarantine. The decision comes after EHS was notified on Wednesday that one of the dogs from the case, who had been transferred to another organization, has been showing symptoms of canine distemper. “We have the dogs in quarantine out of an abundance of caution” said Catherine Stevenson, Director of Operations at the Edmonton Humane Society. “At this time we have no reason to believe the dogs in our care are ill, and this precautionary step will allow our medical team to closely monitor the dogs for any symptoms and prevent the potential spread of disease.” The first group of dogs were transferred to EHS last Friday from the City of Edmonton’s Animal Care & Control Centre (ACCC). EHS has taken in 30 dogs and puppies from the case so far. Seven of the 30 dogs had been medically cleared for adoption on Wednesday morning, and EHS received the news of the possible distemper case after the dogs became available. All seven dogs already have families interested in them, however the adoptions in progress have been paused while [...]

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DOGS AND PUPPIES FROM RECENT ANIMAL PROTECTION CASE BEGIN TRANSFER TO EDMONTON HUMANE SOCIETY The transfer is the next step towards new homes for the 72 dogs and puppies seized. EDMONTON, AB (August 9, 2019) – The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) has started accepting dogs and puppies who were a part of the large seizure conducted by the City of Edmonton’s Animal Care & Control Centre (ACCC) last week. The transfer is the next step for the dogs on their way to eventually be re-homed.  “We are thankful to our partners at Animal Care & Control Centre for bringing these dogs to safety and are glad that we can be a part of their journey to their new lives” said Catherine Stevenson, Director of Operations at the Edmonton Humane Society. “The dogs will first undergo exams by our medical team and we will determine the next steps from there. Most of them will be placed in foster homes until they are ready for their spay and neuter surgeries.” The 72 dogs and puppies were seized from a rural property in northeast Edmonton by Animal Care & Control Officers and Edmonton Police Service, after they received a complaint on July 26. Gloria Sears has been charged under both the Animal Protection Act and Criminal Code of Canada in connection with [...]