The Humane Society of Durham Region was incorporated by Jim Roughly and Graham McLeod in 1988 under the name Durham Animal Welfare; we then became an independent operating affiliate of the Ontario S.P.C.A. under the new name Humane Society of Durham Region. Our Investigators are appointed by the Solicitor General for the Province of Ontario, giving them the authority, by law, to investigate cruelty complaints regarding any abuse and/or neglect of an animal. We are the only organization in Durham Region that can seize and remove animals, by law, if required. Our Investigators respond to abuse complaints from Oshawa to the south, Pickering to the west, Newtonville to the east and Gamebridge and Thorah Island to the north.
We serve all of Durham Region.

The Humane Society of Durham Region is made up of a Volunteer Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors directs the local operations of the Society and work co-operatively with the shelter
staff to provide humanitarian services to the local animal population.

Differences between the Humane Society of Durham and the
Animal Services Department

The Humane Society of Durham Region and the Animal Services Department (the pound) is NOT the same thing! The Humane Society does NOT receive any formal government assistance. Our money comes from fundraising, donations, memberships and bequeaths; if we did not have fundraisers we would no longer exist.
It is because of caring, concerned people like you that we are able to help as many animals as we do.
We are here for all unwanted animals (pets that can no longer be taken care of by their owners)
and for the abused and neglected animals.

The Animal Service Department (the pound) is for strays and animals roaming at large and which Animal Control has picked up. They do not take in unwanted animals. They are a local government service and that is where their funding comes from.

However, both facilities have animals for adoption. Please tell people that you know the differences between the two; we are here for unwanted pets and they are here for strays. We are a non-profit organization and they are government funded.

OUR FOUR PAW SALUTE

The Humane Society of Durham Region is a charitable community resource, dedicated to protecting and providing temporary shelter and comfort to all animals in need and promoting adoptions and re-homing for unwanted, abused, neglected and abandoned animals. We promote humane treatment of all living things and work within the law to respond to and investigate all complaints of cruelty and neglect.

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Thank you for helping us help the animals!