2025 at a Glance
At its heart, our work is about building trust through connection — the quiet, powerful bonds that keep animals safe, families together and communities strong, even in moments of uncertainty.
In 2025, we strengthened those connections. We provided care and second chances to animals in need, helped pets stay connected to the people who love them and supported our community through difficult moments.
None of this happens alone. It is made possible by thousands of donors, hundreds of volunteers, our staff, foster families, partners and a community that believes every animal deserves safety, comfort and compassion.
Animals cared for
Animals found homes
Days of shelter & care
Dollars of veterinary care invested
Every Animal Has a Story
Meet Murphy
At nine years old, Murphy arrived at GHS through our Emergency Boarding Program. He was playful, affectionate and surprisingly spry for his age. But after a few weeks, our team began to notice subtle changes. Murphy flinched when touched, hesitated with his harness and, although still eager to play, began to move with a slight limp.
Testing revealed that Murphy had osteoarthritis, a progressive joint disease that causes chronic pain and can affect an animal’s behaviour and quality of life. With medication to manage his pain and restore his comfort, the change was clear. Murphy’s energy returned — and so did his trust.
After four months at the shelter, Murphy joined the Paisley Project, a GHS foster program for animals who need more time, routine or individualized support before adoption. For Murphy, what began as a temporary foster home became something permanent. His foster parent saw the joy he brought into their home and made it official.
In March 2025, after 156 days in GHS care, Murphy was home.
Care as Individual as They Are
True animal welfare goes beyond survival. It means helping every animal feel safe, healthy and supported — physically and emotionally.
At GHS, individualized care can mean veterinary treatment and pain management, thoughtfully designed housing, daily enrichment and social time, or fear-free, trauma-informed support. Our team pays attention to what each animal is telling us and adapts their care to help reduce stress, build confidence and support their overall well-being.
More Than a Shelter
In 2025, 61% of the animals who relied on GHS for care were wildlife.
GHS provided care to 2,146 sick, injured or orphaned wild animals in 2025 — a 15% increase from the previous year. More than 61 different species came through our doors, from tiny bats and chipmunks to turtles, birds and even an egret.
Each arrived with different needs. Our team provided individualized, compassionate care and worked with licensed wildlife rehabilitation partners to give animals the best possible opportunity to recover and return to the wild.
Every Species Matters
Wildlife weren’t the only unexpected animals who found safety at GHS. In 2025, we also cared for 44 farm animals, including chickens, ducks and roosters.
Farm animals stayed in our care for an average of 18.4 days, receiving safe shelter, individualized care, medical attention and time outdoors in a dedicated space designed for their well-being.
A Mother’s Second Chance
Meet Joan
Joan arrived at GHS with five newborn kittens, each only about a week old. Caring for such a young litter placed enormous demands on her, and our team knew this little family would need extra support.
With specialized nutrition, veterinary care and a safe, quiet place to raise her kittens, Joan could focus on being a mom while receiving the individualized care she needed, too.
Over the weeks that followed, her kittens grew stronger and more independent. Joan cared for them as they began exploring their surroundings, developing their personalities and needing a little less from their mom each day.
Behind the scenes, our team continued to monitor Joan closely, making sure she had the nutrition, rest and medical support she needed as she raised her family. Supporting the kittens meant supporting Joan, too.
Eventually, the tiny kittens who had arrived so dependent on their mother were ready to take their next steps. One by one, they began the next chapter of their lives.
And then it was Joan’s turn.
After weeks devoted to caring for her kittens, she could finally be the focus of care. She had time to rest, recover and prepare for a future that was about more than being a mom.
After devoting herself to raising her kittens, Joan had the opportunity for a new beginning of her own.
All Creatures Great and Small
True animal welfare goes beyond survival. It means helping every animal feel safe, healthy and supported — physically and emotionally. At GHS, every second chance begins with the essentials that build confidence, reduce stress and support lifelong well-being.
Comprehensive Care
Safe shelter, nutritious food, veterinary treatment, daily enrichment and personalized care plans meet the unique needs of every animal.
Attentive, Daily Care
Our trained team provides hands-on, consistent support. Through medical and behavioural rounds, every animal’s needs are recognized and met with empathy.
Freedom of Choice
Housing is thoughtfully designed with welfare in mind, giving animals opportunities to move, climb, hide, rest and feel secure in ways appropriate to their individual needs.
Enrichment & Social Time
Daily play, stimulation and gentle interaction with trained staff and volunteers support mental well-being, reduce fear and help animals build trust at their own pace.
Fear-Free, Trauma-Informed Support
From low-stress handling to individualized behaviour plans, GHS helps vulnerable animals feel safe again, building the foundation for successful placements and lifelong bonds.
Powered by People
Our volunteers are at the heart of what we do. Every day, they give their time, skills and compassion to support animals and people across our community.
In 2025, their commitment reached further than ever.
“Volunteering at the GHS has meant so much to me over the past 2 years. Each week, I’m around staff and volunteers who care and know so much about animals. I can feel down by the state of the world, but my spirit is always lifted seeing how much everybody at the GHS deeply cares and getting to be around and learn from the wonderful animals. Being a male who is more gentle and loves being around small animals is uncommon, and I can sometimes doubt myself, but everybody has been so supportive which has helped me to feel more confident in being myself.”
— Brian Redden, Small Animal Socializer/Cleaning Volunteer
Volunteers
Volunteer hours
Wildlife transported
Opening Doors. Changing Lives.
For some animals, the comfort and stability of a home can make all the difference. In 2025, 71 community members opened their homes to GHS animals, providing the time, individual attention and support they needed while preparing for what came next.
Kelly Couperthwaite was one of them.
After the sudden loss of her Newfoundland, Verona, Kelly decided to foster with GHS. What began as a way to help an animal in need became something deeply meaningful for her too.
Essen arrived in foster care scared, underweight and unsure of the world around her. She was afraid of city noises, had little leash experience and needed time to build confidence.
Over more than a year with Kelly, Essen gradually settled in. She gained healthy weight, learned new skills, met friends and family and discovered the comforts of life in a home. Kelly watched her become a social, affectionate dog who loved treats, brushing and splashing in the lake.
For Essen, foster care created space to heal and grow. For Kelly, it brought unexpected joy and connection.
“Turns out I needed them more than they needed me — they have helped me through some difficult times with so many smiles and cuddles.”
— Kelly Couperthwaite, GHS foster parent
Big Lessons Start Small
GHS humane education programs spark empathy, responsibility and kindness in young learners through games, stories, presentations and hands-on animal experiences.
In 2025, 1,160 children and youth joined us for camps, clubs, school breaks, birthday parties and more. Across 173 sessions and more than 630 hours of programming, young people built confidence, made connections and discovered how empathy for animals can help shape a kinder world.
Learning About Farm Animal Welfare
With support from the Grand River Agricultural Society, participants took part in hands-on learning that included visits to the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada and a behind-the-scenes tour of the University of Guelph Dairy Barn.
Here When It Matters
Pets are family. When people face crisis, illness or unexpected loss, GHS Cares helps ensure their animals have somewhere safe to go — providing support and peace of mind during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Through no-cost boarding and other practical supports, GHS Cares helps remove barriers to care, with the goal of keeping pets safe and reuniting them with the people who love them.
Dakota’s Story
When Dakota’s guardian passed away unexpectedly, he was left without someone to care for him.
Rahul and Rachana Dighe had cared for Dakota during previous hardships. When they learned what had happened, they searched for him and reached out to GHS. Then they patiently waited for the moment when they could finally adopt him.
For Rahul and Rachana, Dakota wasn’t simply a cat they were helping. He had already become an important part of their lives.
“He hasn’t just brightened our lives but also supported us emotionally and helped us through the most difficult phase in our lives… He is the piece of the heart puzzle we were missing.”
— Rahul and Rachana Dighe
We never know when life will change. But in those moments, GHS Cares is here to protect the bond between people and their pets.
Keeping Families Together
Dakota’s story is one of many. In 2025, 112 pets had a safe place to stay during times of crisis, receiving a total of 1,555 days of no-cost boarding through GHS Cares programs.
Support When It’s Needed Most
Pets in Transition
22 animals were cared for while their guardians sought safety from intimate partner violence or accessed treatment for mental health and addiction.
Emergency Boarding
88 animals had a safe place to stay while their families faced hospitalization, fire, loss or other unexpected challenges.
Senior Support
Pets were cared for while their senior guardians were hospitalized, keeping them safe until they could be reunited.
Pet Food Support
Pet food helped individuals and families experiencing food insecurity continue caring for their pets at home.
Low-Cost Wellness
Cats and small animals received low-cost nail trims to support their health and well-being.
Microchipping
Low-cost microchips helped give lost pets a better chance of finding their way home.
Made Possible by You
Every number on this page represents a life touched by care — an animal given safety, a family supported through a difficult moment, a child discovering compassion, or a connection made possible by someone who chose to help.
In 2025, 4,739 donors, alongside hundreds of volunteers, fosters, partners and supporters, helped make this work possible. Together, you provided animals with care and comfort, helped keep families connected, and strengthened a community where animals are valued and respected.
Thank you for being part of it.
Be Part of What Comes Next
There are many ways to help create a more compassionate community for animals and the people who love them.
Impact & Annual Reports
Want to take a closer look? Download the complete 2025 Impact Report or explore our past reports for a year-by-year look at GHS’s work and impact.
Download the full 2025 Impact Report
Past Reports
2024 Impact Report
2023 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report
2020 Annual Report
2019 Annual Report
2018 Annual Report
2017 Annual Report
2016 Annual Report