How the Winnipeg Humane Society is helping kids give back to pets in need
The Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) is giving kids the chance to help pets in need this holiday season.
The annual WHS "Kids Give Back" program took place Saturday afternoon. Volunteer services coordinator Amy Brake said it's the program's fourth year running.
"Through the pandemic we had to pivot a little bit and we actually did more of a curbside donation aspect where the kids could come and drop off donations," she said.
Now the program has returned to full in-person activities. Parents register their children ahead of time, and then show up at 45 Hurst Way with a new pet toy, treat, or accessory donation in order to participate.
"They're making a cat toy, they're making a dog toy, and then they even get a craft to take home for themselves," said Brake.
She said since the program's inception in 2019, more than 500 donations have been made to families in need, including to communities in northern Manitoba.
"We've had lots of kids come by, we've had tons of donations that we're excited to give back to our community," said Brake.
She added that it's important to give back because families are struggling financially right now.
"Part of the reason we do programs like this is because we try to keep animals in their loving homes so that they don’t actually end up back here in the shelter," said Brake, "and having the kids get involved teaches them how to volunteer, it teaches them empathy and it also teaches them how to give back to their communities."
She said donations of pet supplies, toys, and food are always welcome at the shelter, and that volunteers are needed as well.
"We really couldn’t do what we do here at the Humane Society without all the amazing volunteers that we have, and all the great kids that have come out to help us."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.