The Thompson Human Society has cared for nearly 6,000 animals in 20 years and manages to maintain a near-zero euthanasia rate thanks to partners like Calm Air.
The Thompson Humane Society’s 2022 annual general meeting was notable for the organization reaching two decades of operations.
“It is a milestone that very few organizations, especially not-for-profits, are able to obtain. Twenty years later and with over 6,000 animals cared for, the THS has survived while many other animal shelters, humane societies and SCPAs have come and gone,” said the society’s board chair Oswald Sawh. He mentioned that the key to the THS’s success were their passionate group of past and present board members, volunteers, employees and the community’s residents and businesses that have always supported them.
Sawh also singled out specific individuals and operations such as Ken Bingham, longtime veterinarian in Thompson, “who did so much for our operations in its early years and really helped with our sustainability model.” He also recognized the City of Thompson, “who have over the years continued to support the concept of having all animals under one roof and housing animals picked up by their animal control program in our building.”
The THS also welcomed its newest partner, the province of Manitoba’s animal protection program.
“I want to also recognize the provincial veterinary office for working with us,” said Sawh.
Calm Air was also acknowledged for providing the THS a certain amount of credit each year that allows them to fly animals that cannot be adopted here in Thompson to other no-kill shelters. This has allowed the THS to keep to a near-zero euthanasia rate. Also recognized was the Thompson Community Foundation and the province of Manitoba’s Building Sustainable Community funds that provided a grant to allow the THS to upgrade its kennels.
Over the next year the THS will be focusing on rebuilding their fundraising initiatives to ensure long-term sustainability after two of their big fundraisers such as WoofStock and the comedy show being stopped due to issues relating to COVID. As with previous AGMs, Sawh concluded with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi that is on the painting done of Mystery, their official mascot, painted by Jasyn Lucas. He feels it really wraps up what the THS feels should be the social contract between humans and animals, and, in their case, domesticated animals. “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can by judged by the way its animals are treated.”
