Humane Society of Durham Region
1505 Wentworth Street L1N 0H9 Whitby, ON, Canada

HSDR COVID-19 Update Dec 30th, 2020 The HSDR continues to hold the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, visitors and our animals as our top priority. We are so incredibly thankful for the support, compassion and dedication we have received from our community, donors, foster parents, volunteers and our staff during these uncertain times. Please see below for the following updates regarding our shelter: -Our shelter remains closed to the public for day-to-day visits... -Animal adoptions are taking place by appointment only and all interviews will be done over the phone -Animal intakes are taking place on a priority basis by appointment only -Our Pet Food Bank is open and available for access by appointment only -Spay/Neuter vouchers for cats are available to be issued and picked up by appointment only -We are not accepting new volunteers into our volunteer program at this time, but check the volunteer section of our website for any new updates -Donations are gladly accepted at the shelter on a drop off basis. Please drop off any donations at the front entrance of the shelter during the hours of 10am-6pm daily, our staff will bring it inside throughout the day. Our staff will be unable to come out and take the donations directly from you. HOW YOU CAN HELP -Consider adopting an animal -Sign up to become a foster parent by visiting www.hsdr.org/foster -Donate online or drop off items from our wishlist found here: http://hsdr.org/images/Holiday_Wish_list.pdf -Like and follow us on social media! Please call the shelter at 905-665-7430 ext 0, send us an email at [email protected] or visit our website www.hsdr.org for more information!

A kitten's coat is seen by the way it looks and feels. A healthy coat should be shiny and smooth, not coarse or brittle. Kittens need a stable place to grow and develop while preparing to find their forever homes. When you sponsor the Kitty Kare program at HSDR you give these kittens that stable place. Find out how you can sponsor our Kitty Kare program by visiting us at hsdr.org/donations #hsdrkittykare #kittens #durhamregion #cats #catsofinstagram #kitty #rescue #meow #lovecats #catlovers #savealife #shelter #kittensofinstagram #kittenlove #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #rescuecats #canadiancats #softkitty

The Humane Society of Durham Region is proud to participate in Charitable Gaming through Delta Bingo and Gaming. This ongoing financial support allows us to offer much needed programs and services. When we come together we make things possible for our community.

We've started the year off with a bang! 17 animals found their forever homes in the first week of January! Congratulations to all of the adopters and their new furry family members. Are you considering adopting a furry friend to join your family? Check out our website to view all of the animals waiting to find their forever homes, www.hsdr.org/adopt

Fosters needed for undersocialized kittens! We are in need of foster homes that have experience socializing kittens who are very scared and that need lots of one on one attention to build their trust in people. If you have experience working with cats like this, please email us at [email protected]. You can learn more about how our foster program works by visiting our website, http://hsdr.org/fostering. #HSDR #pickering #oshawa #rescue #animalrescue #ajax #humanesocietyofdurhamregion #durhamregion #animals #humanesociety #charity #community #communityfirst #whitbyontario #communitysupport #hsdrfosteranimal #fostercat #fosterlove #rescueismyfavouritebreed #adoptfromfoster #fostering #fosters #fosterpositiverelationships #fostertoadopt #adoptfosterrescue #kittenfoster #fosterssavelives #fosteringsaveslives #fosterneeded #foster

Adoption Success Story! We'd like to share a fantastic adoption update that we received recently. Wybie found the perfect home and we couldn't be happier for him or his forever family. "He is thriving and so happy to have his own little person to cuddle and take care of. Him and my son have been inseperable since day 1 of bringing him home ! He is the most perfect match for my asd son in every way ! Thanks so much for everything, we love our new fuzzy family member so much"... Congratulations to Wybie and his family on a very successful adoption! Have you adopted from our shelter and would like to share your adoption story with us!? We love hearing about how the animals are doing even years later. Email your updates to [email protected]. To adopt a furry friend of your own, visit our website www.hsdr.org/adopt to see all of the amazing animals waiting to find their forever homes.

The Humane Society of Durham Region is pleased to present Charitable Gaming. Community Good. This new brand name and logo represents the good works in part that happen locally as a result of our participation in Charitable Gaming through Delta Bingo & Gaming Pickering. @deltabingoandgaming

WE WON the TOP = DIAMOND Thank you for your continued support and for voting! https://www.durhamregion.com//subca/non-profit-foundations... https://www.durhamregion.com//business-that-gives-to-commu The HSDR staff, Board and volunteers want to thank all the voters in our community who voted for the HSDR in the This Week, Readers’ Choice 2020 Awards. The HSDR received First Place (Diamond) in 'Best Non Profit/Foundations’ for Oshawa/Whitby, as well as First Place (Diamond) for Best Business that Gives to Community for Ajax/Pickering. We have been very grateful for your support over the years and your contributions have also enabled us to give back to the community and help those in need through the community pet food bank and our partnership with the SafePet program. We look forward to your continued support as we begin Phase One of our planned hospital to meet the immediate medical needs of our shelter animals.

LAST DAY to purchase a Wine & Whiskers VIRTUAL SEAT! To purchase, click on https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation

We would like to send a big thank you to Adalyn and Callie! These young ladies had a sale and raised $60 for the animals in our shelter! Thank you for your generosity and for thinking of the animals!

Check out these cute kittens that came to HSDR earlier this year! One of the bonuses of being a Kitty Kare Sponsor is getting to suggest a theme for naming a litter of kittens in our care! Get involved and become a sponsor by visiting www.hsdr.org/donations #hsdrkittykare #kittens #durhamregion #cats #catsofinstagram #kitty #rescue #meow #lovecats #catlovers #savealife #shelter #kittensofinstagram #kittenlove #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #rescuecats #canadiancats #softkitty

Calling all jewelry lovers! Kaiyu's Groove Lives Here is hosting a fundraiser for our shelter and all you have to do is check out their FB page and pick an available piece of jewelry. Message the artist your pick and they will let you know the donation amount for that piece(s). Make your donation directly to HSDR then simply provide your address and it will be shipped to you free! (Some conditions may apply) Original, one of a kind jewelry. handcrafted and designed by a Dur...ham Region artist!!! Nature is mirrored in the artwork. Check them out - Christmas is coming!

The first 2 - 7 weeks of a cat's life is referred to as the socialization period. When cats have had little or no positive human interaction during this crucial time, they are more likely to be fearful of new experiences and people. 'Under socialized' is a term used to disclose that a cat or kitten available for adoption did not receive adequate exposure to these experiences. When these cats come into a shelter environment, it can be sensory overload. A new place full with s...trangers can cause them to become very withdrawn and nervous. This may deter some adopters from getting to know a cat that is now in the shelter looking for a new home. Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to helping these cats learn to trust humans, and utilize meal and playtime to slowly build up the cat's confidence. Watching this video, you may be surprised to read that Doug & Skeeter are under socialized kittens. In only a month, they have blossomed from very nervous boys to playful, happy kittens! We would love to speak with you regarding under socialized cats and kittens currently looking for their forever homes. Please email [email protected] or phone 905-665-7430.

ONLY 1 DAY LEFT to Sponsor a Virtual Table for our WINE & WHISKERS ONLINE Fundraiser! To sponsor a table, click on https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation Your sponsorship, particularly during these times, is exceedingly valuable. Humane Society of Durham Region ~ www.HSDR.org/GALA

HSDR is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19. We are still completing adoptions and doing an appointment based pickup. Even though we are closed to the public, we still want these amazing animals to find their forever homes. We will be keeping this album up to date with all available animals who are waiting to find their forever homes. If you have any specific questions about the animals, please send us an email to [email protected] or give us a call at 905-665-7430.

The journey of senior animals in shelters often includes a stay in a foster home. The HSDR certainly couldn't help as many senior pets as we do without our incredible foster parents. Fostering senior animals not only provides a loving environment that is prepared for their care, but opens up a cage or run within the shelter for another animal to be saved. Our specialized fosters that care for senior or palliative pets have shared some insight on why they do what they do, and we couldn't be more proud or grateful for their support.

Judging a book by its cover is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Black cats are eager, and overdue, to lose any superstition that adopting them isn't the right decision for you! When the Humane Society of Durham Region is working with you to add a new feline to your home, the first step to a successful match is that the personality of the animal is suited to your environment. For example, are you looking for a chill companion, high energy, or a mix of both? Our team at the... shelter know how to guide you towards a cat that is going to thrive and be happy in their life with you. Notice how nothing related to this adoption recipe has to do with the colour of the cat's fur? While some physical factors are important to be aware of, such as a healthy weight, it's the special qualities and characteristics of the cat that are important. Jack is a 10-year-old, neutered male cat patiently waiting to be adopted while in a foster home. He settled into the new environment very quickly, eats and drinks well and is happy to make himself comfortable and have a good nap during the day. To learn more about adopting Jack please contact [email protected], phone 905-665-7430 and the several other black cats awaiting forever homes can be viewed on our website!

Happy Monday! We'd like to share the good news that 11 animals found their forever homes last week! 8 cats, 2 dogs and 1 rabbit! Congratulations to all of the adopters and we hope that your new furry family members are getting comfortable in their forever homes! ... If you have been thinking about adoption, visit our website www.hsdr.org/adopt or send us an email to [email protected].

Adoption Success Story! Willa was recently adopted from our shelter and we received a great update on how she is fitting into her new home so far. "Hello, just writing to update you on Willa. I adopted this cutie in August and she settled into the home so well. She absolutely loves the attention we give her and she has a beautiful countryside big screen TV to look out in our front room! She's my perfect companion!"... Congratulations to Willa on finding such a great home and thank you to her adopters for choosing this beautiful lady! If you are thinking about adding a furry friend to your family, visit our website www.hsdr.org/adopt or send us an email to [email protected].

Looking to add some mo' lovin' to your life? Introducing the ultimate cuddle bug - Moe! At just over one year old, Moe is a large cat with an incredibly big heart. A playful boy who appreciates toys, he keeps himself entertained while awaiting more snuggles with you. He loves attention more than anything else and Moe will help himself to your arms, even if his meal is being served. Moe is a true sweetheart and, to ensure his perfection goes untarnished, we are looking for a h...ome where Moe is all the cat you will ever need. He won't ask for much, loves his dry food, is clean with his litter box, and seems to prefer a sturdy box to a plush cat bed. In return for adopting Moe, he promises to fill your heart with as much love as it will take. If you are looking for mo' information on Moe, please don't hesitate to contact the shelter directly either by phoning 905-665-7430 or email us at [email protected]. Special thanks to one of our amazing ACW's for demonstrating Moe the lovebug!

Lenny, 5 month old neutered male This sweet kitten will be shy at first, but quickly realizes how much he loves being pet. He will lean in for more chin scratches and purr when you comply!

We are very sorry to announce that Pet Pictures with Santa has been cancelled for this year due to COVID-19. This is one of our favourite events of the year as we love seeing all the animals & their humans that come for photos. Major fundraisers like this one provide much-needed donations to help support the animals in our care and this loss will be significant. If you would like to make a donation to our shelter, please visit our website www.hsdr.org/donations.

Have you been thinking about adding a rabbit to your family? Lily is one of many rabbits currently available for adoption at our shelter. She is about a year old and is incredibly sweet. Lily is mostly litter trained and is very comfortable being around people. She would make a great addition to almost any home. Interested in adopting? Send us an email to [email protected] or give us a call at 905-665-7430.

Adoption Success Story! Chester was adopted from our shelter a little while ago and we received a fantastic update from his forever family! "I just wanted to give an update on Chester. He is fitting in amazingly! What a perfect addition to our family. He is loved so much by everybody."... Congratulations to Chester and his family on a very successful adoption! If you have been thinking about adopting a furry family member for your home, visit our website at www.hsdr.org/adopt.

Drop your empties off by Wednesday ! DONATE YOUR EMPTY BOTTLES TO ANIMALS IN NEED! HSDR is having a bottle drive during the month of September! From September 1st to September 30th, supporters can drop off empty bottles that are eligible for return, at our shelter located at 1505 of Wentworth Street in Whitby at their convenience! Empties should be placed at the west side entrance of the building under the awning.... Thank you for your support! See more

HSDR would like to send a big thank you to Shazeeda Ryan and Mia Shendale on behalf of Concentrix. They donated many much needed supplies to the animals in our shelter as well as a $600 monetary donation! Thank you so much for the amazing donations, they make a big difference for the animals currently in our care.

Voting ENDS TODAY - WE NEED YOU TO VOTE! The Humane Society of Durham Region (HSDR) has been nominated in TWO Reader's Choice categories! VOTING CLOSES September 27th so go online NOW to VOTE. Oshawa|Whitby This Week click on https://www.durhamregion.com//subca/non-profit-foundations... Ajax|Pickering News Advertiser click on https://www.durhamregion.com//subca/non-profit-foundations See more

Batman, 5 year old neutered male Good with cats: No Good with dogs: Unknown Good with kids: 12+... Personality: Batman is so affectionate and loves to be pet and brushed! He will give kisses and is fine with being held. He can get overstimluated, so it's important to know when he has had enough love for the moment and to give him space. See more

Gangster Cheese is coming to our shelter tomorrow!! See below for details on how to place your order and pick up some delicious food! The Humane Society of Durham Region is excited to partner with Gangster Cheese for a visit to our shelter! Gangster Cheese Food Truck has been bringing their delicious, gourmet grilled cheese to neighbourhoods all over Ontario, and on October 21st will be parked outside our shelter! Here's how it works:... ->Place your order on the morning of October 21st by text to (905) 409-1464 ->Await confirmation via text of the order total and pick up time ->Payment can be made by e-transfer ([email protected]), debit, credit, gift card or cash ->Come by 1505 Wentworth Street in Whitby at your pick up time! Please respect social distancing while at the truck and stay in your vehicle, where possible, when awaiting your order. If you do not have a means of texting in your food order, you may approach the truck window when is it safe to do so. Donations will be accepted towards the care of the animals in the shelter, including monetary, pet food, toys, etc. If you have any questions please contact [email protected]. Please keep in mind that the shelter is closed to public viewing at this time. See more

THANK YOU to all our supporters who purchased wine for our Fundraising Event! Don't forget to drop off your empty bottles to the HSDR (1505 Wentworth St, Whitby - just outside the west-side entrance) by September 30th to continue your support of the animals in need.

Animals of all ages can come into the care of a shelter, including those classified as seniors. Often there is a misconception that because they are older, the animal won't adjust to your home as easily as a younger one. Or perhaps that age is relative to a serious health issue. When you learn more about the personality of the animal, without being deterred by a number, and you will often find a great fit for your home! Today we would like to introduce you to Alex. She is cur...rently the eldest cat at the Humane Society of Durham Region looking for a new home. At 12 years of age, she very much enjoys napping on the couch or bed, especially when the sun is shining in. Of course, napping isn't her full time job, and Alex loves to be spoiled with lots of pets. She can be brushed very easily, is super friendly and relaxed. Alex will respond to you when she is called and is getting along great with the dogs in her foster home! Our shelter staff are trained to answer any questions regarding care for senior cats. If you feel like Alex is the cat for you, please contact us at [email protected] or by phone at 905-665-7430.

The Humane Society of Durham Region is very proud to recognize our longtime volunteer Vera on her nomination for the Town of Whitby Mayor's Senior Volunteer Award! Over the past several years, Vera has volunteered countless hours completing various tasks in our shelter. Whenever a paw is in need, Vera is the first to offer assistance. She is a regular dog walker and provides incredible enrichment to the animals waiting for adoption. Vera transports animals to off-site appointments and most recently was returning empties every day from our bottle drive. Thank you, Vera, for your kindness and contributions to the Humane Society of Durham Region!

There are some species that can be misunderstood by potential adopters, one of which is rats, however rats make great pets for many reasons! They are incredibly smart and can be trained to do many things, including respond to their name. Rats are very social, loving and enjoy hanging out with their human family. We currently have 3 male rats available for adoption. Check out this video of Mario greeting our staff and settling in for a snuggle! To learn more about rat adoption please contact [email protected] or phone 905-665-7430.

Gangster Cheese is coming to our shelter parking lot on Wednesday October 21st! Check out the menu on the event page and be sure to get your orders in on Wednesday morning!

Meryl is a super sweet, 1 year old cat looking for a forever home with another cat. She isn't afraid to use her voice to communicate, and once she is settled, Meryl has the silliest meow. We learned so much from Meryl's time in a foster home, where she truly blossomed once introduced to the resident cat. She will come into your lap for her favourite treat and enjoys chasing those fun electronic toys. Meryl will require patience as she learns her new home is safe and you are trustworthy. After she gains your trust she becomes very brave and will approach you for gentle head pats. To learn more about Meryl, please contact the Humane Society of Durham Region either by phone (905) 665 - 7430 or send an email to [email protected].

This week is Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week! Keep watching our social media over the week as we will be featuring animals that are overlooked or who need a more specific home. All animals deserve to have loving, forever homes! ... You can view all of the animals we have for adoption on our website, www.hsdr.org/adopt.

Last week was another great week of adoptions with 18 animals finding their forever homes! 10 cats, 7 dogs and 1 rat! Congratulations to everyone who adopted a pet last week and we hope that they are settling into their new homes! ... If you are thinking about adding a furry family member to your home, visit www.hsdr.org/adopt to see all of the available animals!

Time to get rid of your empties DONATE YOUR EMPTY BOTTLES TO ANIMALS IN NEED! HSDR is having a bottle drive during the month of September! From September 1st to September 30th, supporters can drop off empty bottles that are eligible for return, at our shelter located at 1505 of Wentworth Street in Whitby at their convenience!... Empties should be placed at the west side entrance of the building under the awning. Thank you for your support! See more

WE NEED YOU TO VOTE! The Humane Society of Durham Region (HSDR) has been nominated in TWO Reader's Choice categories! VOTING CLOSES September 27th so go online NOW to VOTE. Oshawa|Whitby This Week click on https://www.durhamregion.com//subca/non-profit-foundations Ajax|Pickering News Advertiser click on https://www.durhamregion.com//subca/non-profit-foundations

Rosemary Jones donated 36 cases of Friskies pate canned food to us in memory of her mother Mary Smith and her sons. Mary adopted a cat from us years ago and she was a beloved member of their family. Thank you Rosemary for this very generous and thoughtful donation to the cats in our shelter!

We received a donation from Jennifer Hill and her team at the Pickering Casino Resort. The company held a BBQ fundraiser for our shelter. Thank you so much for this generous donation towards the animals in our care!

DONATE YOUR EMPTY BOTTLES TO ANIMALS IN NEED! HSDR is having a bottle drive during the month of September! From September 1st to September 30th, supporters can drop off empty bottles that are eligible for return, at our shelter located at 1505 of Wentworth Street in Whitby at their convenience! Empties should be placed at the west side entrance of the building under the awning.... Thank you for your support! See more

Meryl, 1 year old spayed female Good with cats: Yes Good with dogs: No Good with kids: 12+... Personality: Meryl is a sweet girl who is nervous of new environments. She would do well in a forever home that has another confident cat for her to spend time with and will help her personality flourish. Meryl is frightened by loud noises and sudden movements so she would do best in a home with older kids. See more

Meet Ripple! This social bunny is a 1 year old, neutered male Rex. Ripple isn't a nervous guy and he looks forward to greeting you at his pen. He is working on his litter box training and is doing really well! While Ripple enjoys human companionship, other rabbits are not suited to his personality. He is currently living in a foster home, and likes when the resident cat comes up to say hello. Ripple enjoys being gently pet, actively hopping around his pen and will stand up on his hind legs for a treat. The more time spent with caring humans, the more interactive and playful Rex rabbits become! Interested in making a rabbit your new companion? Please contact [email protected] or speak with our shelter staff by phoning 905-665-7430. Ripple's adoption fee is $50.

Chloe, 6 year old spayed female Good with cats: No Good with dogs: No Good with kids: 12+... Personality: Chloe is a very sweet kitty who prefers to have all of your attention to herself. Chloe takes time to warm up and enjoys sleeping in a covered space. She would do best in a quiet home as she is frightened by loud noises and lots of movement. She is currently in a foster home and enjoys spending time with her foster parents, getting pets and cuddles. See more