December 17th 2009 is the first anniversary of the fire that destroyed our shelter.
As everyone can imagine it is a difficult time for the shelter staff members and volunteers who went through this ordeal last year.

We still mourn the loss of all of the animals in the fire and as a tribute to them one of our staff,
Nicole Pevie has created a video that can be viewed on Youtube. It is a touching tribute to the animals that were lost, as well as to those who survived the fire and are now in loving homes.

We have had so much wonderful support from the public while we have been in this transition period.
Special thanks this year go to the following:

• The City of Oshawa for allowing us to continue to have office space at the Civic Auditorium complex.

• Kathy Duncan and the staff of Oshawa animal services, who put up with us for weeks after the fire and who let us have the time we needed to grieve. Thanks for putting up with our emotional outbursts and giving us something to do until we could move into our temporary location. With the media circus that surrounded us during that tim

• Brett McLellan for allowing us to have a place to call home until we get a more permanent location.
• Black Dog Kennels, Brooklin Pet Care Centre and Scugog Animal Control for housing numerous dogs for us over the past year.

• All of our wonderful foster homes who took in hundreds of animals needing extra care that we could not provide in the temporary shelter.

• All of our fabulous volunteers who help at the shelter and at fundraising events, we couldn’t do it without you.

• All of the wonderful organizations and people who held fundraising events for us this past year.

• The Staff of Simcoe Street North Veterinary Clinic and The staff of Clarington Animal Hospital for always being there for our animals.

• Rogers communications for providing us with free internet services for the past year.

• Vandermeer Nursery and Garden Centre for all their help.

• Mr. Len Butticci for always being there when we need him.

• The GM Centre for offering to house all of the donations that came to us this past year.

• A Pet Nanny Plus for all of their help with picking up donations for us and their continued support.

• All of the other wonderful people and organizations that have helped us get through this year.

This past year has been one of ups and downs.
We have saved so many lives and lost others who were quite dear to us.
Most people will remember the story of Phoenix the Chow Chow.
His story made headlines throughout Canada and the US.
Although he didn’t make it, succumbing to Cancer, he had more love in his last months than some animals receive in a lifetime. No amount of thanks can ever show the gratitude we have to his foster parents Tracy and Mike. He will be remembered fondly by many people for a very long time.

As we look forward to a new year, we have hopes of a new shelter to be built in South Whitby.
It will be a wonderful new home for our animals. With your continued support it will happen and hopefully by next Christmas we will be inviting everyone to visit us in our new home.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year from everyone at the Humane Society of Durham Region