About the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes
Our Vision:
We, the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes, envision the day when every animal in the City of Kawartha Lakes has a good quality of life with a caring, responsible, and knowledgeable owner, and is free from the fear of abuse, neglect, and ignorance.
Our Mission:
By establishing partnerships within the community, Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes, a charitable organization, is dedicated to providing leadership in the:
- Protection and provision of the humane care and treatment of all animals
- Enforcement of protection laws
- Education of the public
What We Do
- Adopt animals to their forever homes
- Accept animal surrenders
- Direct the public to appropriate specialty rescues groups or centres
- Educate the public on the humane treatment of animals
- Participate in Ontario SPCA education and awareness programs
- Employ a visitation program with our adoptable cats to various long-term care facilities within the City of Kawartha Lakes
- Provide access to those in temporary need of pet food with our in-shelter Pet Food Bank program
History
In 1986, the Victoria County Humane Society was founded in Lindsay by a group of concerned citizens.
As the community became aware of the organization's presence, people started leaving legacies. On January 18, 1991, a bequest of $100,000 came to the Humane Society and the property at 111 McLaughlin Road was purchased for $60,000, to build our shelter. On October 2, 1999, the long-awaited Adoption Centre opened its doors.
Early in 2009, the Victoria County Humane Society adopted the operating name, Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes (HSKL), to more accurately reflect the geographical area it serves.
Spring 2010 became another new beginning for us when we were fortunate enough to receive a one-time grant of $800,000 from the Federal and Provincial Governments, which allowed us to build a more modern shelter.
HSKL is a registered charitable organization that does not receive any on-going funding from any level of government. In order to continue our work, we depend on the generous support of the community and the tireless efforts of many dedicated volunteers.
Lost or Found Pets
HSKL remains dedicated to our community’s stray, lost, owned, abandoned, neglected, injured and sick animals. If you know of an animal at risk that would normally be reported to the City, and the City’s new service level excludes that animal, HSKL will still care for it at the shelter and work toward its best outcome.
All animal welfare organizations have a role to play in our community, and HSKL remains committed to working collaboratively with the municipality and other organizations in that regard.
Please note that we do not have the resources to pick up animals.
What to do with a stray dog?
If you've lost or found a domestic dog, please report it to the Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing office immediately. During regular business hours Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm call 705-324-9411 extension 1212. Outside of regular business hours call the after-hours line, 705-928-3054, and leave a detailed message.
What to do with a stray cat?
Municipally funded cat kennel services and the Feral Cat TNRM program are temporarily on hiatus. Since municipally funded cat kennel services will not be available with the new short-term vendors, the municipality will not take in stray domestic cats at this time.
The HSKL and the municipality remain steadfast in their dedication to providing services that keep animals safe from harm. In this way, the HSKL and the municipality will continue to share and support each other’s programs and levels of service.
Please call us at (705 )878- 4618 if you know an animal that needs help and is not covered by the City's bylaw services
Who do I report animals that are injured, in pain, sick, suffering or abused to?
For animals that are injured, in pain, sick, suffering or abused, please contact Animal Welfare Services via the Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre at 1-833-926-4625 or follow this link https://www.ontario.ca/page/animal-welfare for details.
Please call us at (705) 878 - 4618 if you need extra support regarding a found animal.
