HUMANEINSIDER
Fosters Parents - Page 2
Duke R. - Page 10
Emma Calhoun - Page 6
Madrid - Page 9
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Winter Deals You Don’t Want to Miss Happening Right Now in Our Lobby
Page 1
Foster Parents Needed for Nursing Moms and Puppies
Page 2
Share the Love This Valentine’s Day with Toronto Humane Society Cards
Page 3
Enroll Your Dog into A Training Workshop Without the Long-Term Commitment: One-Day Dog Workshops Now Available Page 4
Staff Announcements & Career Opportunities
Page 5
Meet the Team: Staff Q&A with Emma Calhoun, Shelter Programs Supervisor Page 6-8
Pet of the Month: Madrid Page 9
An Update on Costco, Now Lovingly Called Fenir Page 10
January Volunteer Updates
Page 11, 12
New Research Shows Just How Clever Our Dogs Can Be
Page 13, 14
Winter Deals You Don’t Want to Miss Happening Right Now in Our Lobby
The retail section in our lobby has some exciting changes this season perfect for treating your pets (or yourself!) while supporting Toronto Humane Society Here’s what’s new:
BOGO on Winter Dog Coats
All winter dog coats are $29.99 each buy one, get one free! Keep your furry friends warm this season and double the coziness without doubling the cost.
Clearance Section
Check out a variety of dog toys and pet apparel in our clearance section priced at $5, $10, $15, and more. Perfect for snagging a bargain while supplies last!
20% Off Everything Else
Stock up on foods, treats, grooming supplies, bowls, leashes, and more all 20% off!
Exclusions to note:
No additional discounts for staff and volunteers
Purina Pet Foods (Pro Plan, Friskies, Cat Chow, etc.) is not included in the sale
Apparel not included in the sale
All items are tax-free and available while supplies last!
Stop by the retail lobby and check out these deals there’s something for every pet this winter!
Foster Parents Needed for Nursing Moms and Puppies
We are gearing up for the arrival of nursing mom dogs and their adorable puppies, and we need the help of our amazing foster community to provide them with safe, loving temporary homes. Some of these sweet families could be arriving very soon!
We’re urgently onboarding foster parents who can be ready to step in when the call comes This is a vital role in helping transport and partner organizations ensure every pet has a safe place to land
What this foster role involves:
Taking in a nursing mom and her entire litter of puppies
Supporting mom while she cares for her little ones
Fostering until the puppies are fully weaned
All food and care supplies will be provided
If you’re able to open your home and heart for these moms and pups, we would love to hear from you.
Email our foster team: foster@torontohumanesociety.com. Include “Nursing Mom Foster” in the subject line
Together, we can ensure these families receive the love and care they need one mom and her pups at a time
Share the Love This Valentine’s Day with Toronto Humane Society Cards
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by spreading some love while supporting animals in need? This year, we’re excited to offer three adorable Valentine’s Day card bundles:
Dog Bundle
Cat Bundle
Mixed Bundle – featuring an exclusive bunny and guinea pig design!
Each card design is inspired by real pets who received care at Toronto Humane Society
You might recognize a few favourites, like Zephyr, our playful 2-month-old kitten, Tremble, the sweet transfer pup, the bonded pair Banksy and Hal, and Lady Clement, who got a full glow-up while in our care.
Each bundle includes: 10 cards 10 envelopes 10 love stickers
All for just $20 per bundle.
But that’s not all! There are also a few Valentine’s Day clothing designs available, including the return of the cat and dog heart design, plus “Love” mugs perfect for gifting (or keeping for yourself)
Available online while supplies last at: shop.torontohumanesociety.com
Mix Bundle Cat Bundle
Dog Bundle
Enroll Your Dog into A Training Workshop Without the Long-Term Commitment:
One-Day Dog Workshops Now Available
Are you interested in enrolling your dog into a training course but can’t commit to a 6-week course? Or maybe you’re not sure if your dog will enjoy training but want to give it a try?
Our Training & Behaviour Team has the perfect solution: one-day workshops designed to teach skills, build confidence, and strengthen your bond with your dog all in just a single session!
Introduction to Dog Sports Sampler Workshop
Date: Wednesday, February 11 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Cost: CA$6000
Curious about dog sports but unsure where to start? This fun, low-pressure workshop lets you try scent detection, agility, hoopers, and rally-obedience in one session Learn the basics, see what sparks your dog’s interest, and gain confidence in a supportive environment. Perfect for beginners!
Off-Leash Skills Workshop
Date: Friday, February 6 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Cost: CA$90.00
This 3-hour workshop teaches reliable offleash skills, including engagement and solid recall, even with distractions Held in our canine training room, this workshop
Staff Announcements & Career Opportunities
New Hires
Current Job Openings:
Adoption Agent - Adoption & Intake - Part Time - 20hr/week
Registered Veterinary Technician - Public Veterinary Services - Part Time
Veterinarian - Public Veterinary ServicesPart Time
Veterinarian - Public Veterinary ServicesTemporary Full Time (12 months)
Lead Registered Veterinary TechnicianPublic Veterinary Services - Full Time
Veterinarian -Public Veterinary ServicesCasual
Meha Patel - RVT for Queen Street East Clinic
Meet the Team: Staff Q&A with Emma Calhoun, Shelter Programs Supervisor
Tell us about your role at Toronto Humane Society! What do you do, and what do you love most about it?
I am a shelter programs supervisor here at Toronto Humane Society. My responsibilities include overseeing and assisting with the daily operations of the shelter care and adoptions departments and occasionally the admissions and foster department. The thing I love most about my role is getting to play a part in animal's journeys as they move through the shelter from the day, they come into care, to their time staying in shelter and then finally seeing them get to go to a loving home!
Society as an Animal Care Worker. When I applied, I knew I wanted to help animals, but I had no idea everything that animal welfare encompasses It wasn’t until I began my role as an Animal Care Worker and got to learn more about animal sheltering and our various outreach programs that I truly found my passion for animal welfare and knew I wanted to pursue a career in it.
What inspired you to work in animal welfare?
Growing up we always had at least one dog and two cats in the house; we ended up taking in a lot of cats we found on the street and adopted one from the London humane society The value of helping animals was instilled in me from a young age, but I didn’t truly find my passion for animal welfare until after I started at Toronto Humane
What’s a memorable or heartwarming moment you’ve experienced while working here?
The most memorable moment in my career at Toronto Humane Society so far was seeing Lyle get adopted last month! If you aren’t familiar with Lyle he is a dog that had been in our care since November 2024. He was a transfer from North Carolina who came to Toronto after hurricane Helene Lyle struggles with dog reactivity and because of that he had a very long stay in the shelter.
I got to work with Lyle a lot and even got to take him to some training classes through our K9 mentorship program. Lyle loves to learn and especially loves agility courses We spent lots of time down in the training hall working together Lyle also loves to snuggle, I often took my lunch breaks with him, and he would fall asleep in my lap well I read.
Sometimes during Lyles' stay it could feel hopeless that we would ever find a home where he could thrive, however in December the most perfect family saw the video posted on our social media about Lyle. I was lucky enough to be able to facilitate Lyle’s Meet and Greet and adoption and for the first time in a long time I felt hope that Lyle was going to make it out Watching them pull out of the shelter with Lyle was the best feeling It reminded me why our job is so important and even when it is hard to have hope to always keep trying because sometimes the unexpected can happen I am so hopeful for Lyle’s future with this family, and if you have seen the adoption updates, you know that Lyle has now been living his best life with them so far!
If you could switch roles with someone for a day, who would it be and why?
If I could switch roles with someone for the day, it would be with one of the shelter trainers. I am very interested in behaviour and one of my favorite parts about being an Animal Care Worker (ACW) was getting to spend time working with the dogs. I would love a chance to fully immerse myself in the world of training and get to carry
Do you have any pets at home? Tell us about them!
I have a cat 16-year-old male cat named Tuna. My family adopted him in 2015 from the London Humane Society We have been attached to each other ever since and when I moved here for university I brought him with me. Despite struggling with hyperthyroidism and Lymphoma this past year, he is still going strong and truly is my soul cat I also have a cat named William that I found living behind my local Wendy’s when I was in high school. Tuna and William love each .......
Staff Updates
other very much and often will be found snuggled up together William is a very active cat and likes to have lots of space, so he continued living at my family's home when I moved away but Tuna and I visit him lots
What’s one fun fact about you that your coworkers might not know?
One fun fact about me that my coworkers may not know is that I love to swim My parents put me in swimming lessons from a young age I worked my way through the levels, eventually earning a Bronze Medallion certification. I grew up swimming in Lake Erie lots I love cliff jumping and I enjoy Kayaking and canoeing I really want to get Scuba certified. I started my PADI certification two years ago and I hope to finish it this year somewhere in the ocean.
What’s your go-to comfort food or favourite local spot to eat?
My go-to comfort food would probably be breakfast. I love a good brunch spot. My go to’s are Stacked pancake house or light cafe but I love to try new places Let me know if you have any suggestions.
What’s a piece of advice you’d give to someone new joining Toronto Humane Society?
Talk to everyone, ask questions and learn as much as you can. There are so many people involved in the operations at Toronto Humane Society between staff, volunteers and clients; you meet new people every day When I first started as an ACW I was shy and I didn’t talk to very many people. Now as a supervisor I have to talk to people all day, and I have got to make so many connections, and I have learned so much just from taking the time to talk to people and get to know people.
Pet of the Month: Madrid
This month, we’re shining a spotlight on Madrid, a 13-year-old domestic short hair with a big personality and a heart ready for the right home.
Madrid is a sweet senior cat with a complicated past and a lot of love to give He’s diabetic (currently in remission) and has a history of some challenging behaviours, including occasional aggression and out-of-litterbox elimination. With the right home and experienced pet parents who understand his needs, Madrid is ready to find his family.
A little about Madrid:
Age: 13 years
Medical: Diabetic in remission (currently does not require insulin), occasional need for gabapentin during stressful events like vet visits
Personality: Affectionate on his own terms, food-motivated, curious, and playful with enrichment like wand toys, paper bags, and boxes
Special needs: Requires a family who has experience with cats, and where interactions are predictable and calm. He responds well to enrichment, cuddles, and positive reinforcement
Why Madrid is special:
Madrid’s journey hasn’t been easy. He’s lived with us in foster care since November and has shown remarkable improvement with structured routines, environmental enrichment, and targeted behaviour support. His foster parent reports that cuddles, playtime, and clicker training have helped him feel confident and secure He thrives when his environment is calm and is loved by those who know his quirks
Medical & adoption considerations:
Madrid’s medical needs are manageable but important for his future family to understand. He may need blood glucose monitoring during vet visits and occasional gabapentin for stress, but otherwise he is healthy, energetic, and thriving His behaviour is carefully managed, and he will come with one free post-adoption behaviour support session to ensure he continues to flourish in his new home
Why you’ll fall in love:
Despite his challenges, Madrid has a soft spot for his humans and enjoys interactive play, exploring new spaces, and quiet cuddle sessions With patience, consistency, and love, he can flourish in the right home environment.
If you or someone you know is ready to open their heart to a senior cat who’s full of character, speak to an adoption agent today!
Happy Tails: Fenrir
We thought we’d provide you with an update Costco We’ve renamed him Fenrir, but we call h ‘Fen’. He’s a cuddle monster extraordinaire a hates being left alone (even if you’re showering going to the bathroom).
The first night he was very courageous, and it w clear he didn’t want to be left in his ‘safe roo alone – not even for a minute. After three days listening to him scream non-stop every time left him in the room, we finally decided to let h have what he wanted. He strutted around like he owned the place, immediately.
Some things have caused him minor concern:
The litter robot (he likes to investigate while it’s cleaning): He’s been a great boy, and uses it even though he’s a little scared of it His inability to break into the automatic food dispenser, which we got because he’s seemingly constantly ravenous.
Our 85 lb dog, Ripley: Ripley is very gentle but terrified of Fen, and Fen takes full advantage of that power by chasing her down the hallway and blocking her from coming down/up the stairs.
Overall, Fen is not shy and he tends to face his fears head-on. We put a collar on him day 1 – and he didn’t seem to mind at all. This weekend we will try trimming his nails, but I don’t suspect we’ll have any issues He loves playing, and has a few toys he hides around the house so that he can keep himself occupied while we sleep. He uses his cat scratch post, has a favourite blanket, sits in his window seat, and tries to eat every single thing he can get his paws on
He shows a lot of interest in the doors to the outside, so we still put him in his room when we come and go- and when he needs a time-out from terrorizing the dog.
very day we see improvement in how Ripley and en interact as well, so I am confident they will be riends soon enough Or at least, confident that he dog will feel ‘safe’ enough to walk down the allway at the same time as the cat!!
hanks again for everything you did for Costco He’s been a great addition to our family. We ttach some pictures, in the hopes it makes you smile today.
January Volunteer Updates
Walk Route Reminder
When taking a dog out for a walk, please remember to exit through the door closest to the dog's kennel The goal of this is to limit stress that may arise from dogs passing other dogs in the room If the closest door is the front hall door, please exit through that door and go around to back hall to exit through wildlife. Thank you!
January Anniversaries
Please join us in celebrating volunteer and foster parents who have reached a milestone anniversary this month! Thank you for all your hard work and continued dedication!
1 Year:
Effie C., Foster Parent
Aline G, Foster Parent
Melissa H, Foster Parent
Nidhal L., Foster Parent
Celeste R., Foster Parent
Stefanie Z., Foster Parent
5
Years: Sylvie M., Canine and Feline Care Volunteer
Volunteer Spotlight of the Month
We are so grateful for all our volunteers; we rely heavily on your support to meet our operational needs. We want to take time once a month to extend our thanks to a volunteer who has had a positive impact at Toronto Humane Society based on staff/volunteer feedback
This Month we would like to shine a spotlight on Duke R.!
It has been exactly a year since Duke joined Toronto Humane Society as a special species volunteer, and in that time he has donated over 100 hours to improve the lives of animals His journey with volunteering started with a passion for giving back. “Volunteering is a great way to gain new skills, meet new people and create a sense of meaning in your life.”
Volunteer Updates
Once he made the decision to pursue volunteering, Duke quickly set his sights on Toronto Humane Society. “I have always cared for and been curious about animals, having grown up with cats, dogs, hamsters and guinea pigs” So, after a year and half of waiting, he was excited when he finally received the email informing him that he was accepted as a volunteer.
Now, a year later, Duke is greatly enjoying his Wednesday evening shifts. “Over this past year Wednesday evenings quickly became a part of the week I look forward to most I have enjoyed coming in and learning all the animals' personalities in special species and how each week feels like there was something new to learn or observe.” Not only has he enjoyed his time with the animals, but also with the people he meets too “I have had a nice time getting to know the other volunteers in special species and felt included. I have found overall the Humane Society to be a really great place to volunteer and spend my time. Everyone is really dedicated and cares for every animals' well being”
In his time with the special species, he has gained a lot of knowledge and appreciation for the different kinds of animals he spends time with. “I have learnt so much about a variety of animal behaviours in rabbits, rats, birds and guinea pigs I learnt a lot about turtles, they were my favourite to visit”
Looking back at the past year, Duke has gained a lot “It has been a year now and I can't really put into words the way volunteering with the Humane Society has impacted me. If anything, hoping this does not come off as a selfish end, coming weekly to take care of the special species has helped me just as much as I get to help them”
Duke, we cannot put into words how much we appreciate your help and dedication and look forward to many more years of having you as part of the volunteer team! Please join us in celebrating Duke this month!
New Research Shows Just How Clever Our Dogs Can Be
At Toronto Humane Society, we’ve long known that dogs are wonderful companions playful, loyal, curious, and full of personality. But a groundbreaking new study published in the journal Science and recently featured in The New York Times is shedding even more light on just how cognitively sophisticated some dogs can be.
The Study: Dogs That Learn Like Toddlers
Researchers working with “Gifted Word Learner” (GWL) dogs a rare group of pups including seven Border collies, one Labrador retriever, one mini-Australian shepherd and one Australian shepherd/blue heeler cross already known for knowing the names of many toys asked a fascinating question:
Can dogs learn the names of new objects simply by overhearing human speech?
The answer appears to be yes
In the study:
Ten exceptionally talented dogs participated. Their pet parents either directly named new toys to them or spoke about those toys in a conversation without directly addressing the dogs at all.
After hearing a toy’s name, dogs were asked to fetch it even when the toy was hidden! Seven out of ten dogs successfully retrieved the correct toy by name, regardless of how they learned it.
This Just In
What’s especially intriguing is that these dogs learned new words by listening in much like toddlers do when they overhear adults talking. In some cases, the dogs learned new words even when they first heard the name after the object was put out of sight
Beyond Sit and Stay
We often think of dogs as masters of commands like “sit,” “stay” or “paw,” and far too many of us have whispered out key words (like walk or treat) to keep them a surprise. Yet this study suggests that, for some dogs, language learning goes well beyond tricks These gifted dogs can form associations between words and objects based purely on social context and attention something once thought unique to humans.
That doesn’t mean all dogs are learning vocabulary like this but it shines a bright spotlight on canine cognition and just how deep the human‐dog connection can go.
What This Means for You and Your Dog
So, what does this research mean for dog lovers?
1. Play and names go hand in hand. Giving toys and games names isn’t just fun it engages your dog’s brain. Naming things consistently helps strengthen associations and can be a great form of mental stimulation
2. Dogs are listening — even when you don’t think they are. Our canine companions are attuned to our voices, tone, and social cues They may be learning more from the world around them than we imagine.
3. Every dog is unique. Not every dog will learn new words just by overhearing But every dog whether a gifted learner or a snack minded
