Toronto Humane Society
Encyclopedia
The Toronto Humane Society is a Toronto charity that operates animal shelter
s and animal rescue operations. It was founded by crusading journalist John J. Kelso after he added the comment “Why don't we have a society for the prevention of cruelty?” to a November 1886 letter in the Toronto World about a horse in distressed condition. Subsequently, a total of $74 in donations was sent to the newspaper which was used by Kelso to found the Toronto Humane Society in 1887 as an organization dedicated to promote both children's aid and the humane treatment of animals. The Children's Aid Society
ultimately became a distinct organization in 1891.
The THS was originally located at the intersection of Bay Street and what is now Wellesley Street in downtown Toronto. It is currently located on River Street.
In November 2009, the THC was raided by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
as part of an investigation into animal cruelty at the centre. THC president Tim Trow and several other society personnel, as well as the board of directors itself, were subsequently charged. A new board of directors was elected in late May 2010, and the shelter re-opened a month later after having been closed for seven months.
All charges against former board members and personnel were withdrawn in August 2010 due to problems with the search warrant
under which the 2009 raid had been carried out. An article in the February 2011 edition of Toronto Life
suggested that the root of the dispute was that the THS was trying to run its facility as a no-kill shelter
, a policy which the OSPCA opposed.
Animal shelter
An animal shelter is a facility that houses homeless, lost, or abandoned animals; primarily a large variety of dogs and cats.Parrots, for example, are the third most common pet owned by people...
s and animal rescue operations. It was founded by crusading journalist John J. Kelso after he added the comment “Why don't we have a society for the prevention of cruelty?” to a November 1886 letter in the Toronto World about a horse in distressed condition. Subsequently, a total of $74 in donations was sent to the newspaper which was used by Kelso to found the Toronto Humane Society in 1887 as an organization dedicated to promote both children's aid and the humane treatment of animals. The Children's Aid Society
Children's Aid Society (Canada)
The Children's Aid Societies of Ontario, Canada, are independent organizations empowered by the Ontario government to perform child protection services. The declared goal is to "promote the best interests, protection and well being of children"...
ultimately became a distinct organization in 1891.
The THS was originally located at the intersection of Bay Street and what is now Wellesley Street in downtown Toronto. It is currently located on River Street.
In November 2009, the THC was raided by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is the organizations whose operations include protecting and providing shelter to animals in danger in the province of Ontario. OSPCA is a member of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.OSPCA was founded in 1873 to protect the welfare...
as part of an investigation into animal cruelty at the centre. THC president Tim Trow and several other society personnel, as well as the board of directors itself, were subsequently charged. A new board of directors was elected in late May 2010, and the shelter re-opened a month later after having been closed for seven months.
All charges against former board members and personnel were withdrawn in August 2010 due to problems with the search warrant
Search warrant
A search warrant is a court order issued by a Magistrate, judge or Supreme Court Official that authorizes law enforcement officers to conduct a search of a person or location for evidence of a crime and to confiscate evidence if it is found....
under which the 2009 raid had been carried out. An article in the February 2011 edition of Toronto Life
Toronto Life
Toronto Life is a monthly Canadian magazine about entertainment, politics and life in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto Life also publishes a number of annual special interest guides about the city, including Home Decor, Stylebook, Eating & Drinking, Real Estate and Weddings. Established in 1966,...
suggested that the root of the dispute was that the THS was trying to run its facility as a no-kill shelter
No-kill Shelter
A kill shelter is an animal shelter where animals are euthanized if they are too sick to be treated or too aggressive to be suitable for adoption or due to lack of shelter space...
, a policy which the OSPCA opposed.