Georgian Bay Animal Rescue (GBAR) is a registered charity run solely by unpaid volunteers, who have been dedicated to helping animals in need, since 1999. GBAR is a "NO KILL" animal rescue, serving Georgian Triangle, dedicated to helping lost, injured, abandoned, neglected animals; providing compassionate care, spay/neuter, adoption, 'second chances' at life." GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE GBAR has no formal boundaries; it serves the area commonly known as the "Georgian Triangle", which includes the communities of Wasaga Beach, Stayner, Creemore, Collingwood, Town of The Blue Mountains, Thornbury, Clarksburg, Meaford, and the surrounding areas. At times, we have provided assistance to animals beyond this region. OUR VISION "No more homeless animals" We dream and work towards a world in which there are no stray, unwanted, abandoned, neglected or abused companion animals, by building awareness of animal welfare rights, and promoting responsible pet ownership. OUR MISSION "A place for animals to heal; a second chance at life" We are dedicated to helping injured, abandoned, neglected, abused, homeless and unwanted animals: 1. To care for these animals by providing a safe, healthy, warm and nurturing environment. 2. To strive to place these animals in loving forever homes as quickly as possible by a well-documented adoption process. 3. To promote responsible pet ownership, including spaying and neutering, to help alleviate pet overpopulation. 4. To provide an educational aspect to our work through volunteer opportunities in our three temporary cat facilities, and by school visits to teach young people about the care and humane treatment of all sentient creatures. The overall goal of GBAR is to build and operate a modern "NO KILL" shelter facility where animals will receive compassionate care and medical treatment, including vaccination and spay/neuter, as needed, prior to adoption. HOW WE OPERATE We will operate a central shelter facility housing as many animals as possible, awaiting adoption. At present, we operate three temporary cat facilities, which we hope to eliminate once our central location is constructed. All of our animals receive a health check and vaccinations. All dogs and cats over 6 months of age are also spayed or neutered. We actively promote the adoption of these animals to loving forever homes on our website and in local newspaper ads, bi-annual Newsletters, and all GBAR fundraising events. Donations can be made for our day-to-day operational costs through the CanadaHelps.org Website. In the "Funds Designation" section, click on "Operational Funds".
Given our "NO KILL" policy, animals may be temporarily placed in caring foster homes until they are adopted. We also provide support in the rescue of injured wildlife by assisting in their transport to rehabilitation centres. The work of GBAR is managed by a 7 member volunteer Board of Directors consisting of: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Fundraising Chair, Cat Adoption Coordinator and Dog Adoption Coordinator. OPERATING STATISTICS Number of dogs taken into care 2007: 38; all adopted by April, 2008. In May, 2008: 7 dogs in care, 6 in foster homes, 1 in vet boarding due to lack of foster home availability. Number of cats taken into care 2007: Approx. 240; 168 adopted. In May, 2008, over 300 cats in care, 100 are in foster homes, over 200 in three temporary cat facilities. Number of animals spayed or neutered in 2007: 273. TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 2008: $299,671.00 Veterinary Care: $227,919.00; Pet Supplies/Care: $14,402.00; Three Cat Facilities: $9,237.00; Fundraising Costs: $34,975.00; Office Supplies, Telephone, Bank/Visa Charges, Misc.: $9,997.00; Insurance: $3,141.00. Shelter Building Fund: Raised for construction of permanent shelter: Phase I - $600,000 in cash and pledges. "Buy a Brick, Lend a Paw" Campaign to complete the shelter building: started May, 2008 - $400,000 to be raised. WHY YOU SHOULD HELP
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Financial support is always urgently needed to provide for the needs of rescued, injured and sick animals brought into care daily. Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted; tax receipts are provided for donations over $20.00. Donations can be made online through www.canadahelps.org. Donations-in-kind are always welcomed, particularly of items such as: canned cat food; clumping cat litter; orphan kitten formula (KMR); cat toys; pet hair brushes; pet dishes; pet carriers; flea treatment for cats and dogs (Advantage, Revolution). Actively support our fundraising activities through your participation and/or donation of items for our silent auctions, and our summer store, "Bizarre Bazaar". Check details of upcoming fundraising events on the website above. Adopt or foster one or more of our loving animals into your home. Please visit the "Adoptable Cats" and 'Adoptable Dogs' section of our website for a full list of animals available for adoption or fostering. We also always need "emergency" (short notice) dog and cat foster homes. Please call (705) 445-5204 to place yourself on the list of available homes. OUR NEW PERMANENT SHELTER & "Buy a Brick, Lend a Paw" Campaign
PLEASE HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN... for the animals. 'Your support makes it all possible' We wish to express our sincere thanks to all who have helped and who continue to help us in our efforts to improve the care and quality of life for companion animals in our region. Our challenge is far from over. It is clear that we have much to do to modify attitudes and improve understanding of animal welfare and treatment. In spite of our efforts at education and awareness building, the number of animals needing our care continues to grow, resulting in corresponding increases in our operating costs and volunteer requirements. Being a "NO KILL" organization puts additional stress and pressure on available resources, although we believe it is the humane approach to animal care. YOUR ongoing support remains a necessity so that all creatures living among us are provided with care, comfort, nourishment, relief from pain and, most importantly, a loving forever home.
 Not only do we care for domestic animals, we also aid in the rescue of wildlife by assisting in their transportation to a rehabilitation centre. If you would like more information regarding wildlife or have a situation regarding a wild animal, click on the following link WILDLIFE ADVICE. Click here for OWL RESCUE. |
"Kindness to animals builds a better world for us all" Caring for society's homeless, needy animals is a community responsibility. Your contribution to building a permanent animal shelter in the Georgian Triangle helps to build civic pride in all aspects of community life, and makes our towns, villages and neighbourhoods better places to live, work and play. Teaching members of our society, particularly its youth, about animal welfare and human rights and the importance of understanding and respecting others, promotes the establishment of strong values throughout the community. Caring for our animals in a humane way makes us all feel proud of where we live. Research has shown that communities that care for others---human and animal - have lower rates of petty crime, juvenile delinquency and physical and mental abuse occurrences.
