There has been an overwhelming increase in the number of dogs and cats being abandoned by their owners over the past several months, yet The Georgian Triangle Humane Society (GTHS) continues to strive to find the best loving home for every animal that comes in.
Some of the local REALTORS® at Clairwood Real Estate Corporation and the Rioux Baker Real Estate Team are helping the GTHS with that goal.
From July 31st to August 6, 2022, members of Clairwood and the Rioux Baker Team participated in the 10th annual GTHS walkathon and raised almost $1,800.
While the total $90,000 raised was just short of the GTHS goal, the money helps to keep the lights on and love shining at the Animal Centre in Collingwood. To date this year, the GTHS has:
- provided shelter to 1,500 homeless animals;
- spayed/neutered 2,700 pets and feral cats;
- kept 420 pets with their families during crisis
- and ensured that 320 families have food for their pets when struggling with finances through the Pet Support Services
“We are all animal people at Clairwood, and we are committed to supporting the well being of pets in our local area” says Joanne Brown, Sales Representative and Training and Marketing Manager, who is a volunteer at GTHS, working at the Animal Centre with cats, fostering kittens, and as a member of the Walkathon and Golf Tournament Planning Committees.
The Rioux Baker Real Estate Team at Clairwood, with Team Leaders Emma Baker and Sherry Rioux, Brokers, is the GTHS Adoption Partner, helping to support the costs of the adoption program, and promoting adoptions through their social media videos.
The need for the types of animal services provided by the GTHS is evident, based on the number of recently abandoned and surrendered dogs and cats taken in by the Animal Centre. Which is, in part, why the GTHS has embarked on a capital campaign to raise $14 million to build a new 19,200 square foot Regional Centre for Pets and People on 5 acres of land in Collingwood.
The capital campaign has raised almost $4 million towards its goal, and the Rioux Baker Real Estate Team has made a significant impact, by sponsoring one of the rooms in the new regional centre.
“The Rioux Baker Real Estate Team has always been dedicated to our local community, but everyone on the team was unanimous when we discussed what our main passion was…animals. Most of us are pet owners and we decided as a team that we wanted to give back to help the animals find homes and live better lives. So, when the opportunity arose for us to participate and make a difference, it was a no brainer!,” said team leads Sherry Rioux and Emma Baker.
“We reviewed all of the options for giving opportunities when we saw the capital campaign wish list. Our feeling that a place where people could relax and discuss their needs or wait while adoptions were being processed was a perfect spot for us to sponsor, so hence the Coffee Area in the Cat Café was our location of choice. Being a contributor to the capital campaign, along with our monthly adoption sponsor program has given our team great satisfaction and a feeling of pride.”.
There are lots of ways that people can support the work of the GTHS.
Those interested can give a one time donation, or become a monthly donor; support the capital campaign with a donation, or donate to the pet pantry by dropping off pet supplies at the Animal Centre or at the Collingwood or Wasaga Beach Pet Valu locations.
Some local supporters have even held their own fundraisers, like yoga classes and bake sales. And you can watch the GTHS website for fun events like Walkathon, Golf Tournament, Cupcake Day and others.
The relationship between people and their pets is often the key to good mental and physical health, and the work of the GTHS is so important to supporting this in our Southern Georgian Bay area.
The REALTORS® of the Rioux Baker Real Estate Team and Clairwood Real Estate Corporation are honoured to work with the GTHS towards these goals.
Visit the Georgian Triangle Humane Society online here.
Learn more about Clairwood Real Estate by visiting them online here and the Rioux Baker Team here.