Karen Marsh, executive director of the GTHS. (Photo courtesy of GTHS)
Bertram Construction has been awarded a tender to build the Regional Centre for Pets and People (RCPP) in Ontario’s south Georgian Bay region. Centre owners, the Georgian Triangle Humane Society (GTHS), say that the new facility will amplify the impact of the GTHS in the years to come.
Serving the community for the past 25 years, the GTHS has grown into a vital community organization delivering compassionate services that address both animal welfare and human well-being. However, the need for these services has outpaced the capacity of the organization’s existing building, says the organization.
The society’s current animal centre doesn’t have enough space to support current needs, seeing cats and dogs recovering from surgical care in hallways, with the team relying heavily on foster volunteers and crates in the garage to house animals – all while the organization continues to navigate a growing waitlist.
The current 6,000 square-foot facility was originally designed in 2007 to support approximately 500 animals per year. The GTHS team currently serves nearly 4,000 animals annually.
As the community continues to grow and its residents see economic pressures mounting, the GTHS has been planning a 19,000-square-foot animal centre to be built on five acres of secured land, enabling them to dramatically expand their ability to care, connect, and create lasting change. With the ability to provide more critical services, the organization says it will finally have the space to offer genuine hope for the pets and people that come to them for support.
With the bigger building and space, the GTHS says it will be able to welcome 30,000 visitors, increase adoptions and shorten the amount of time pets spend in their care waiting to find new loving homes.
“The RCPP has been a dream for the GTHS team for many years, and this incredible milestone is significant,” said Karen Marsh, executive director of the GTHS. “We thank the generous donors and supporters who have already done so much and gotten us to this stage. However, as we break ground and begin to see the foundation of our future being poured, we are also mindful that we need even more support from the community to raise the funds needed for this incredible project, and all the work we continue to do. The need has never been greater.”
Bertram Construction, which was awarded the tender for construction, has been servicing Simcoe County, the District of Muskoka, and the surrounding area for 90 years. “This RCPP is a milestone for the community, and our team is proud to be a part of it,” said Lisa Bertram, owner, director and president of Bertram Construction. “This project holds a very special place in our hearts. We’re excited to break ground and build this new centre to support pets and people alike.”
Since its inception, the GTHS has sheltered more than 15,000 animals, offering a safe-haven and a fresh start for pets in need. As one of the only accessible spay/neuter hospitals serving Bruce, Grey, and part of Simcoe County, the GTHS Hospital has performed over 7,600 spay/neuter surgeries and administered over 4,000 rabies vaccinations.
Furthermore, GTHS Humane Education Programs have inspired and impacted more than 13,000 youth to cultivate empathy, kindness, and respect for all living beings. Annually, its Adoption Services help find loving homes for 1,300 animals, and its Access to Care Services keep 3,000 pets out of shelters and instead home together with their families during crisis and emergency situations.
Construction of the RCPP will begin in early July.
