The Winnipeg Humane Society: Disaster Response and Recovery Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The 2025 Manitoba wildfires were the worst in the history of our province. The Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) worked alongside the Canadian Red Cross and the Province of Manitoba to support the pets of families affected by the Manitoba Wildfires.
Our organization quickly put in place a pop-up shelter at a local community center, which provided 24-hour care, shelter, and supplies to animals owned by families that were displaced from their communities. The shelter provided care for 48 dogs and cats, many of which were owned by the firefighters and first responders who needed a safe place with reliable care for their beloved pets while they returned to their communities to fight the ongoing fires.
Once the pop-up shelter was closed, the WHS transitioned to sheltering pets affected by the wildfires at the shelter. This funding allowed us to purchase pet food and basic supplies such as leashes and collars, which were needed both at our shelter and in the communities as families returned to their homes. We hosted two pop-up food bank days at the WHS shelter for evacuees returning to their homes to stop by and pick up food supplies.
Our organization is continuing to support many communities, families, and the animals that they love. Pet-food supplies were depleted, or burned, and we are working with many remote northern communities to transport pet food and basic supplies to them as winter approaches.
How many pets did this grant help?
348
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Many of the pets that this grant helped were owned by first responders or firefighters battling the wildfires this past summer in Manitoba. That includes a cat named Atticus (first photo), whose story is a favorite among the staff at the Winnipeg Humane Society. His guardians’ appreciation filled our staff’s heart with joy upon their reunion. His owners shared this statement with our staff:
“You guys took our cat Atticus Moens in while our town was being evacuated. Both me and my wife had to stay behind as we both are volunteer firefighters. We would like to express our gratitude for taking excellent care of Atticus.
“We’ve made a donation to help you help more animals in need. We appreciate all you have done for Atticus and all the other animals that you help! Thanks again and keep on doing what you do!”
Donations fund the work we do at the Winnipeg Humane Society. The Petfinder Foundation’s generosity allowed us to care for animals in need during the worst wildfire disaster to affect Manitoba in years.
