Our History

EARLY 1800S

Humane Societies responded to the exploitation of children and animals; the vulnerable and the defenceless.

1830S AND 1840S

The RSPCA Act was introduced and carried out. This would change the general consensus that animals are things, tools, property.

1873

The Ontario Humane Society was incorporated as the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA). The first organization to act as a provincial body.

1911

The Injured Animals Act was put in place. At the time this covered mostly horses, cows, sheep and hogs.

1919

A Provincial (Ontario) Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was put in place.

1927

Our organization - the “Twin City and North Waterloo Humane Society” - begins life as a charity to help those who cannot help themselves.

Unlike many charities, it also took upon the task of providing an essential service to the community: controlling animals. Sadly, that’s how the Humane Society earned the undesirable reputation as “local dog catchers” and bad guys. It would take decades to correct public perception.

The first president was Rev. Taylor-Monro. The first secretary was Hazel Halliwell, who would remain in this position for an incredible 47 years.

The first inspector of cruelty to animals (NOT dog catcher) was hired part-time. His name was John McCaig. If needed, Dr. Engles, a local vet, would assist. McCaig was paid $15 per month for his position and $0.10 per mile for the use of his truck. He covered approximately 50 miles per month.

The first shelter “for sick animals, homeless strays, unwanted litters, and animals which had been hit by cars” was part of a brick barn at 28 Ahrens St. E. It quickly filled up, so McCaig converted his home workshop into a kennel.

1931

The “Twin City and North Waterloo Humane Society”. President is His Honor Judge Clement.

Objective: “...the prevention of cruelty to animals by all proper means...to secure the punishment of all persons violating such laws”.

Humane education for children was stressed and there was advice included in the handbook on how to form Junior Humane Societies in schools.

Cruelty to animals is now a criminal offence (see Canadian Criminal Code, 536).

1941

With the upcoming dog tax, sadly many people disposed of their dogs to avoid paying the tax.

1942

We were officially incorporated as the Kitchener, Waterloo and North Waterloo Humane Society. It had 32 members and received a one-time grant of $250 from the government.

Due to the overcrowding, property on Doon Road was purchased. The Society operated out of this property until 1960.

1953

President is Dr. W.E. Russell. He would service this position for 6 years.

1955

The Society purchased property on Spring Valley Road to build a larger shelter due to need, plus the fact that residential zoning meant the Doon Road building could not be expanded. The land cost $17,000.

1959

President is Thomas Livingstone, Waterloo Township’s Chief of Police.

The image of the Society is sadly that of dog catchers rather than humane organization.

1960

The Society moved into its new building on Spring Valley Road. It would remain there until 1981, when it would once again outgrow its site.

The Society had a Volkswagon van to patrol the city streets for animal control. Annual revenue from animal sales, boarding and animal control is $7900.

1965

President is A.W. Underhill, an optimistic man who hopes “Future work for humane societies lies in more education in humane work...a realistic view toward animals.”

943 investigations of dogs running at large.

1967

Conflict between the provincial government and many humane societies breaks out when the government suggests that pound animals be used in laboratory research. This issue (Bill 194) would preoccupy the energies of the local humane society until 1971.

1971

Two animal control trucks were working full-time.

1972

The shelter was so crowded that animal cages had to be stacked. Of the 40,000 local dogs and cats, 1/5 passed through the shelter each year.

1974

The City of Waterloo created a new animal control bylaw which allowed animal control officers to issue tickets to “known” strays which were not wearing tags or licences.

1975

The City of Kitchener introduced its first compulsory tagging and instant ticket carrying a fine of $5.00.

1978

Complaints about animal control patrols continue. However, the licensing campaign was working, and this could not be denied. Of 97 dogs impounded in September, 86 were returned to their rightful owners. The revenue from selling the annual tags amount to over $35,000, which helped the Society reduce ticket and pound fees.

1979

The Society building is, once again, overcrowded. This, combined with corroded pipes and other main repairs, would mean either overhauling the entire building or moving.

Although City Council was divided over its support of the Society, the public had been won over. They held car washes and other fundraisers to help find money for the Society to build or move.

1980

In July, construction for a new, larger shelter was well underway. In December the new shelter was inspected by the board.

1981

Grand opening of the new shelter on 250 Riverbend Drive, Kitchener, was held.

1982

A membership drive began but proved unsuccessful with only 30 people expressing interest and just 7 actually paying the $5 membership fee. Society Manager Jim Cosgrove was extremely disappointed.

1983

New amendments to the City’s dog bylaw which required all dogs to be on a leash when out being walked. Also an increase in fines for repeat offenders.

There is a 91.49% reclaim rate of lost pets.

1984

The Society starts a “Pet Visitation Program” where specially-selected animals would visit institutionalized people. The trial run was an overwhelming success.

1991

The KW Humane Society purchased land in the Amulree area of Perth County for $378,000. The property included two houses and a barn, which was going to be used as a shelter for large animals and an area to released wild animals. In 2001, animals were no longer housed on the property and only 1 house remained.

1998

Summer Camp programs are offered at KWHS.

2001

A working group is determining how soon a pilot spay/neuter project could be implemented in light of the large number of stray cats in the twin cities. The program will be called “1 + 1 = 6: Pets Can’t Add But They Sure Can Multiply.”

2002

A one year pilot project (starting in January 2003) that ensures all animals adopted from the KW Humane Society are either spayed or neutered prior to adoption. If the animal isn’t spayed or neutered prior to adoption, the purchaser will be eligible for a refund of $75.00 once the animal’s surgery has happened. There is a problem with the stray cat population in particular. This new project should help the situation. The local veterinary committee stands behind this project by offering lower cost procedures for shelter animals.

$1 million shelter expansion project almost doubles the size of the building on Riverbend Drive. The shelter includes friendly holding systems, areas for dogs to socialize, better areas to view animals up for adoption, and better ventilation.

The KW Humane Society employs 18 full-time and 10 part-time staff, plus 70 volunteers who do everything from wash windows to walk dogs.

2003

The Society found homes for 500 dogs and 700 cats. They are proud to have one of the lowest euthanasia rates in Ontario.

2004

Sadly, cats are still considered by some people as “disposable” pets and the shelter frequently gets calls from landlords whose tenants have moved out and left a cat behind (usually without food or water).

Each year 20,000 school children receive a talk by a humane society staff person. Public education is #1.

New program is “Tales for Tails”. Volunteers visit local schools with companion animals and work with children from Grade 1 to 4 who struggle with their reading. During this special visit, the children will read to the animal. The success is amazing as children with low self-esteem are more comfortable interacting with an animal than an adult.

2005

KW Humane Society helps train volunteers at the new Beaufort Delta Humane Society in Innuvik, Northwest Territories. The volunteers will be fostering animals in their own homes, putting dogs on planes for emergency medical procedures, adoption etc.

Junior Vet Club is gaining in popularity. The Jr. Vet Club is a 6-week session that runs in the autumn and winter. Children (aged 9 to 12) learn about a different animal subject each week. Crafts, pet first aid and special guests are highlights.

2006

KW Humane Society was awarded the Banff Care in the Community Summit Award for Animal Sheltering.

2008

KW Humane Society was awarded the Community Care Award for Education.

2009

Behavioural Hotline is started for people who have any animal related questions.

2012

The Kitchener Waterloo Humane Society assumes ownership of the Stratford Perth SPCA. Now under one Board of Directors and one organization, the Kitchener Waterloo Humane Society and the Stratford Perth Humane Society make up one of the largest animal welfare agencies in Canada.

2014

KWHS’s Companion Animal Hospital opens inside the shelter. It mainly provides services for animals in the society's care, but will also expand to offer limited low-cost spay-neuter services to the public.

The Weber TNR Clinic begins. Working with rescue groups, strays are caught, spayed/neutered and returned to where they are found. This program works to lower the population of stray cats in KW.

Capital Campaign for a new shelter building for our Stratford Perth Animal Centre is launched.

2015

Emergency Boarding program starts. This program helps provide temporary housing for the pets of people who require assistance in the community, during emergency situations such as house fires, hospitalization, or incarceration, when there is no other family to assist.

Jr. Vets and Vets In Training Program begins at KWHS. This program is designed for youth, ages 7 – 14 aspiring to be a vet or to work with animals in the future. This six-week program includes theory and hands-on learning opportunities with our Registered Veterinary Technicians and Veterinarians.

Capacity for Care is introduced at the KW Animal Centre resulting in a decrease in feline respiratory illness and a 50% decrease in length of stay.

2016

Spay Neuter Assistance Program is created to help low income pet owners receive low cost spay/neuter services.

Stratford Perth Humane Society’s new shelter – “Gloria’s Place” - holds its grand opening in September after reaching its $1 million capital campaign.

The new facility features an on-site animal clinic to care for the animals in care - this operates as a satellite location to the accredited animal hospital at the Kitchener Waterloo Humane Society.

2017

KWHS was recognized by the Kitchener Record Reader Award, receiving the Diamond Award (first place) for “Favourite place for a kid’s birthday party”.

KWHS celebrates 90 years of Service in Kitchener and Waterloo.

2019

Stratford Perth Animal Centre opens a low-cost Spay Neuter Clinic to service the public.

2020

Both locations partner with other regional food bank programs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to offer the Emergency Pet Food Bank program for pet owners in need.

2022

Emergency Pet Food Bank transitions to individual programs. The Humane Society now operates a sole pet food bank program called the Pet Pantry.

2023

The Humane Society creates a formal Outreach Services department, whose goal is to support the growing Pet Pantry program, Veterinary Outreach program, nail trimming clinics, and provide supports to human shelters who welcome pets within our communities.

Pet Pantry experiences a 480% increase in demand since inception in March 2020.