Monthly Volunteer Profile: Alison SanFilippo MVP

Like so many Winnipeg Humane Society volunteers and staff, Alison SanFilippo has an unbridled love for all animals. But for Alison it’s a passion around which much of her life has revolved. Her WHS volunteer service dates back almost two decades, she has two rescue dogs and four cats (three from the WHS) at home and, in addition, has her own pet sitting business. “I began volunteering in the old building,” Alison explained. “I’ll be going into my 18th year in October. I started as soon as my daughter was old enough to go to school.” She’s a self-proclaimed advocate … Continued

Vote NO on Bill C-275 

Bill C-275 is problematic for Canadians for many reasons: 1. This bill claims to address and enhance biosecurity measures on farms, however, the wording of the bill specifically targets individuals who enter farms without “lawful authority or excuse.” This means that only undercover investigators, advocates, journalists, and others can be criminally charged for entering farms. This is justified in the bill as a means to strengthen biosecurity measures and protocols. Unfortunately, the majority of individuals who step onto farms on a daily basis are the ones at the greatest risk of contaminating biosecurity and spreading contagious, zoonotic diseases. Farm workers, … Continued

Monthly Volunteer Profile: Jaelyn Friesen

For Jaelyn Friesen, a life-long love of animals has evolved into a volunteer role at the Winnipeg Humane Society. A Grade 12 student enrolled in carpentry at Murdoch MacKay Collegiate in Winnipeg, Jaelyn grew up with pet gerbils. “I really liked having the gerbils,” she said, smiling. “They were nice with me and they enjoyed cuddling. They’re very affectionate. One would escape from its enclosure and it would come and find us.” At the age of 11, she got her first dog. Now she and her family have two small dogs – a Poodle and a Shih Tzu. On weekends … Continued

March 2023 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Anita Jacobson

People who volunteer with the Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) share a passion for furry or feathered friends. We all demonstrate this passion and dedication in different ways, and in eight years Foster Parent Anita Jacobson and her husband Tim have shown this repeatedly by opening their doors and sharing their home with more than 160 cats. Anita said Tim is largely responsible for what has become a major part of their lives. “I blame my husband for getting us into this,” she laughed. “We’re a partnership. He’s totally awesome and a real keeper. Eight years ago, Tim received a hip … Continued

February 2023 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Shona Strome

Cat Adoption Assistant Shona Strome calls her two hours of volunteer work in Kitty Kat Way ‘refreshing’ and looks forward to it every week. “I always feel good after my shift, I find,” she explained. “I go home after my shift and I feel energized.” A relative newcomer to the Winnipeg Humane Society’s volunteer ranks, Shona is obviously a quick learner. She’s been volunteering at the WHS for six months but she’s already mentored four or five new volunteers. “It’s good to have new people coming on and I enjoy showing them the ropes,” she said. Shona retired from the … Continued

Tanner (left) with job coach, Michael (right)

January 2023 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Tanner Kobar

There’s a saying about how people ‘make a mark’ in an organization through hard work and dedication. In the case of Winnipeg Humane Society volunteer Tanner Kobar, he makes his mark around the shelter each week by removing marks, which helps guests, staff and volunteers get a clear picture of adoptable animals. Tanner is in his second year of volunteering at the WHS. As an Adoptions Maintenance Assistant, cleaning the windows of the dog enclosures for the Adoptions department takes up a lot of his shift each week, but he will now be doing some laundry and filling the animals’ … Continued

Foster Parents Are Heroes

Without our Fosters, the Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) would not be able to help as may animals as we do. The shelter is bursting at the seams and fosters make sure that we have some other options when it comes to giving animals a safe place to heal or wait for their forever family. Jill Bristow has been a long time foster at the WHS. She has fostered countless kittens and helped them get a good start on life. During her foster journey she also met her cat Gracie. Gracie has severe Cerebellar Hypoplasia which makes her very wobbly and … Continued

October 2022 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Amanda and Adam Belaire

Adam and Amanda Belaire have both enjoyed animals all their lives. Now the married couple are recognizing their pets over the years by volunteering together with the Winnipeg Humane Society. Each Saturday they head over to the Hurst Street shelter and load up their Corolla with boxes of food, bags of cat litter and – sometimes – pet toys and treats. The items are delivered to households which have registered with the Winnipeg Humane Society Emergency Food Bank, which is focused on keeping pets and people together by providing relief from the cost of feeding family pets during challenging times. … Continued

August 2022 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Jennie Diacos

When Jennie Diacos retired and sold all her businesses in 2021, she knew there were many local organizations that could use her help. But her life-long love of animals drew her to the Winnipeg Humane Society last fall. And she seems to keep finding more ways to help. Among her businesses was a popular Osborne Village restaurant which she owned and managed with her brother. She was used to working seven days a week, so retirement created a need for something to help her wile away the hours. The WHS was a natural for her, and she keeps on volunteering … Continued

July 2022 Monthly Volunteer Profile: Marcy Kowalchuck

If you look up ‘determination’ or ‘dedication’ in the dictionary, it wouldn’t be wrong to find a picture of Winnipeg Humane Society Marcy Kowalchuk in the definition. She’s a living, breathing testament to those character traits. She’s fiercely loyal to the cats in Kitty Kat Way (whom she lovingly refers to as ‘her babies’) and to the work of the WHS and its employees and volunteers. And she’s not going to let cerebral palsy prevent her from caring for the cats twice a week. She began volunteering with Winnipeg Humane Society in 2008 and has worked with the cats ever … Continued