The Winnipeg Humane Society is a non-profit registered charity governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. It was founded in 1894 by local businessman William F. Henderson (c1848-1896) as an organization for the protection of women, children, and animals. In the early 1900s, as other agencies emerged to address the protection of women and children, the Society’s focus shifted exclusively to animals. It became inactive in 1912 and was reorganized in 1919. By 1947, it adopted the present name of Winnipeg Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Life membership in the Winnipeg Humane Society awarded to sportsman Donald H. Bain, circa 1950.
As the province’s largest animal protection facility and welfare agency, the Winnipeg Humane Society has moved toward a philosophy of advocacy for all animals, presenting opinions on the PMU industry, hog farming, elk ranching, hens in battery cages, penned hunting, the spring bear hunt, and the use of wild and exotic animals in circuses and zoos. It is committed to alleviate the use of euthanasia as a solution to pet overpopulation. The Society is managed by an Executive Director and employs approximately 30 full time and 30 part time staff at its present shelter on Kent Street. As many Winnipeggers are aware, it has recently undertaken a major fundraising initiative to develop a large, new facility that will enable it to fulfill its mandate as the leading animal welfare organization in Manitoba.
On 3 April 2005, an MHS Centennial Organization Award was presented by Lieutenant-Governor John Harvard and Gordon Goldsborough to Ms. Vicki Burns, Executive Director, on behalf of the Winnipeg Humane Society.
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Sally Warnock (?-1958)
Winnipeg Humane Society, MG10, B36, Box P3483-3491, Archives of Manitoba.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 2 February 2019
