Building a Bright Future for Shelter Dogs to Thrive
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. At the Georgian Triangle Humane Society, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the dogs who come into our care, patiently waiting for the right home to settle into.
In 2024, dogs stayed with us an average of 20.2 days. For some, a brief pause before they join a family. For others, it may mean months or even years of care. While this can depend on several factors, dogs who are reactive or have behavioural challenges stay with us longer. Each dog in our care has a unique story and personality, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Our 14 kennels at 549 Tenth Line in Collingwood are full of dogs ready for adoption. Alongside are those who are receiving training, medical interventions, and enrichment. Our dog yard, x-pen, and tiny room 5 are a steady stream of assessments, consultations, and training. Our current kennels, while providing safe spaces, are aging. The health, safety, and comfort of our dogs will be compromised if we continue to see growing numbers of long-term dogs in care. A new and improved space is a necessity.
The David and Helen Capin Regional Centre for Pets and People (RCPP) is setting a new path for our standards of animal care, and I’d like to highlight what that means for our dogs. From the moment we began dreaming of a new chapter for the GTHS, we knew that this space must nurture the five domains of animal welfare: nutrition, environment, health, behaviour, and mental state.
The RCPP features ample enrichment and outdoor spaces, where our dogs can thrive and exercise in safer environments. Kennel spaces are designed with innovative infection control measures. There are designated spaces for dogs with health needs, lost dogs, and dogs ready to be adopted. Multiple meet-and-greet spaces exist, offering calm space for those first introductions, as well as private space for difficult conversations to happen with dignity and comfort.
The new space will expand our behavioral support programs, helping dogs in our care, and offering greater resources to families – keeping pets and families together. With increased capacity for visitors and programs, adopters have more opportunities to meet their new best friend, with greater support than ever before.
With your help, we’re building a shelter that gives every dog the time, care, and space they need, creating a brighter future for our entire community.
As we break ground on the David & Helen Capin Regional Centre for Pets and People, media across our region have taken notice.
Over the past few months, the project has received enthusiastic coverage from local and industry press, highlighting not just the scale of the new facility, but the heart behind it. Check out the latest press coverage below!
Thank you to our local media and industry partners for shining a light on what’s possible when a community comes together to care for pets, for people, and for the future.
Naming opportunities are available for those who wish to make a lasting impact. To learn more, please contact Martin van Zon, mvanzon@interkom.ca or Kayla van Zon, kvanzon@interkom.ca.