Care and finding ‘forever homes’ the priority of animal shelter

Those volunteers involved with Grey Bruce Animal Shelter (GBAS) do it for one reason … their love of animals.

Volunteers Barbara Bingham (L)            and Lynn Wilcox were at Rowland’s Independent Grocer in                Port Elgin on Friday,                                   November 23rd

The shelter began in 1989 when a group of Sydenham Township residents wanted to create a shelter to care for local dogs and cats while they waited for their new ‘forever homes’.

Local farmer, Ed Tottenham, donated land and, by 2003, the group had raised the $340,000 needed to begin construction.

​Today, the shelter which serves the residents of Grey and Bruce counties, is volunteer based and funded 100% by private donations and fundraising.

GBAS main’s mandate is to care for cats and dogs by:

  • providing shelter, treatment and care for cats and dogs whose owners, residents of Grey and Bruce Counties, are no longer able to care for their pets
  • arranging for all shots,vaccinations, spaying and neutering of animals prior to adoption. Rare exemptions are made due to age or health.
  • minimizing the time animals remain at the shelter by consistently matching animals to suitable homes. 
  • assisting sick or injured dogs and cats toward a humane end of life.

The shelter is a no-kill facility for surrendered dogs and cats and it does not surrender animals for research.  It also practices, and provides information on, the humane treatment to help fight pet overpopulation. 

The shelter cannot accept stray animals but, instead, is for those dogs or cats that are surrendered by their owners for whatever reasons.  It also is not a licensed animal control agent and not a boarding kennel for dogs and cats.

Generous cash and food donations from Pedigree, local businesses and individuals sustain the shelter and keep alive the “vision” created decades ago. All donations – 100% – go directly to the care of the pets at the shelter for food, care, comfort and medical care.

No government funding is received to keep up this life-saving work.  Instead, the shelter relies on donations, adoption fees and fundraisers to pay veterinary services, hydro, heating oil, insurance, taxes,etc.

“Animal care is our priority at the shelter. The dogs enjoy being brushed and going for walks, the cats and kittens just love to cuddle and hang out. We also need volunteers to clean kennels; make pet runs; run the office; join an event team; handle financial matters; operate Facebook; manage the web site; promote our shelter; care for our gardens; contact advertisers and perform the many other duties needed for a successful operation.” 

                                                 For more information, to volunteer or to donate, visit:
                                                            https://www.grey-bruceanimalshelter.com