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The Year in Review: 2018 WHS Highlights

2018 has been a fantastic year and your support has helped us accomplish so much to care for the animals and advocate on their behalf. Looking back on the past year, there have been many amazing moments and stories that it was hard to pick only a few. We can’t wait for the upcoming year to continue to strive towards our goals, and with your help make the lives of animals better.

1001 Donations
This last year in March we held the 11th annual 1001 Donations fundraiser put on in partnership with Red River College’s (RRC) Creative Communications program. The six-hour live telethon was broadcast through Facebook Live, QX104, 94.3 The Drive, Shaw TV Channel 9 and on the 1001 Donations website page. With your help we were able to raise $74,350 during the telethon, which was matched up to $60,000 from five very generous donors to create a grand total of $134,000!

During the telethon RRC students hosted interviews and told the stories of the animals who come to the Winnipeg Humane Society, many of which you may have seen featured on our page before. Stories of animals like Joey, who was found freezing to death or James, who was brought to us going blind and in tremendous pain. These animals were given a second chance and a voice, and we are so thankful for everyone who listened. We couldn’t have done it without you!

The 1001 Donations will be back again for its 12th year on March 23, 2019.

Our new Employee Giving Program
This year we implemented an exciting new way to give with our Employee Giving Program. This program allows businesses to offer employees ways to get involved with the WHS and donate through automatic payroll deductions.

James’ Story
James was brought to us as a stray puppy. He had been suffering in pain for a while, and had head injuries that damaged his eyes, one was even hanging out when he arrived. His teeth were shattered, and he was in immense amounts of pain. Our veterinary staff worked fast to remove the broken teeth and took the eye that was hanging out. He also had to have his other eye removed because it was far too swollen from his injury, which left James blind. The total cost of his medical care was over $2,500.

James is one of the toughest fighters we’ve seen. He was in so much pain before coming here and we don’t know how long he was like that. But he pulled through and although he no longer has his vision, he has one of the most resilient spirits we’ve ever seen. James was an inspiration to us this year and reminder of why we do what we do, and why we need your help to do it. Thank you for being James’ hero!

Paws in Motion
The annual WHS Paws in Motion fundraiser presented by Fairmont Winnipeg is one we look forward to every year! It’s a fun day for the family to get out and enjoy some sunshine when they go for a walk – and raise money doing it. This year’s attendance hit over 1500. Thanks to all the amazing people who signed up and pledged we were able to raise $137,000 to put towards the thousands of animals we rescue throughout the year.

Paws for the Season
This December our 7th annual Paws for the Season Craft & Bake Sale presented by Johnston Group raised $19, 131. The gift of giving back wouldn’t have been possible without all the donations of baking, prizes or time volunteering from all of you! As well as all of the fantastic vendors who came out to sell their wares.

Cinder’s Story
One of the most amazing stories of survival this year was of one cat’s resilience. Cinder’s name is fitting for a cat that rose from the ashes and fought for his life after a house fire. Cinder’s injuries were extensive and included severe burns and smoke inhalation. Thanks to our WHS Heroes Cinder’s story has a happy ending and he was adopted by the paramedic who rescued him.

Low Cost Spay & Neuter Program
In 2017 the WHS launched a subsidized Spay and Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) launched to help provide people in Winnipeg with low cost spay and neuter options to help control the overwhelming cat populations.  This program is in partnership with CARE Cat Community Outreach and was made possible with a grant from the City of Winnipeg and The Winnipeg Foundation.

This year we were able to continue this program and have given 2,844 low cost spay and neuters to cats in Winnipeg. The response to this program has shown us how much of a necessity it is and booking always fill up fast due the demand from word of mouth about the program.

Bow Wow Ball
This year’s 25th annual Bow Wow Ball was extravagant as always with our Diamonds Are Furrever theme. It was a fantastic October evening at the Fairmont Winnipeg with great food curated and created by executive chef, Tim Palmer and live entertainment from The Danny Kramer Dance Band. This year 400 people attended and raised $173,000.