The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the number of animals served and cancelled in-person fundraisers, but the Thompson Regional Humane Society (TRHS) emerged in good position at the end of 2020, thanks in large part to the federal government’s wage subsidy program.
THRS sheltered 147 animals last year, down from the usual average of 250 to 300 in the previous years. Close to half were sent to other no-kill shelters for adoption, including 39 adopted in the Thompson area, while five were euthanized by the humane society due to health or temperament issues, as were another 13 under the care of the city’s animal control program.
Revenues for the year were over $103,000, while expenses were around $83,000, leaving the society with close to $20,000 at the end of the year.
“We actually benefited a fair bit from a lot of the COVID funding that we got,” said TRHS board president Oswald Sawh at the society’s annual general meeting June 24. “That really makes up 100 per cent of that net income.”
Fundraising brought in only abut $20,000 last year, compared to $75,000 in 2019, as events such as Woofstock and the stand-up comedy night were prohibited under pandemic public health orders.
“In the last 18 years of our operations, 2020 was probably one of the most challenging ones we have had to deal with,” said Sawh in his president’s report.
Veterinary costs were down about 30 per cent compared to 2019, in part because there were fewer animals being sheltered, in part because Thompson didn’t have anyone providing vet services temporarily and in part because Mitch St. Denis, the society’s only employee, took on a larger role in keeping animals healthy.
“He’s been able to manage a lot of the health stuff in house as well,” said Sawh.
The board of directors rescinded the society’s previous bylaws and replaced them with a new version at the AGM. The new bylaws allow for virtual meetings and extend board terms to two years, while also simplifying a lot of the wording.
The annual meeting closed with elections, which saw Sawh, Michelle Nichol-Sawh, Craig Delaronde, Glenda Weir, Ted Salamandyk, Tracey Dawe, Cheryl Crawley, Kristyne Ford, Melissa Branconnier, Donna Dyer and June McTavish elected to serve as the board of directors for the next two years. There is also one vacant spot on the board available to interested candidates.
