Thriving Together

A Strategic Vision for Pets, People and Progress

Strategic Plan2025 - 2029

Birb

For over a century, the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) has been a champion for animals, inspired by the vision of our founder, Rosetta Graydon, who established our organization in 1907. Her dedication to compassion, advocacy and education laid the foundation for everything we do.

 

As we step into our 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, we’re driven by the same pioneering spirit—but with a renewed focus on building a community where people and pets thrive, together. This strategy reflects two years of thoughtful development, guided by research and insights from over 1,300 voices in our community.

 

While the challenges facing animal welfare continue to grow, EHS is ready to embrace bold, innovative approaches that deepen our impact and strengthen the human-animal bond. Together, with your support, we’re poised to create a brighter future—for animals, for people, and for our community.

  • Allison Radford , Chair, Board of Directors
  • Liza Sunley , CEO
  • Our Mission

    Enrich the lives of people and companion animals through sheltering animals in need, supporting pet guardians, engaging with our community and inspiring compassion.

  • Our Vision

    People and pets thriving, together.

Our Strategy

Prevent

Strategic Objective 1

Prevent

Eliminate animal homelessness, neglect and cruelty in the community by addressing root causes.

Our Goals:

  • Expand and implement low-barrier programs that support and preserve the human-animal bond.
  • Support the coordinated provision of animal welfare information and supplies to the public.
  • Develop strategies to ensure readiness for emergencies.

Visit our HELP (Helping Every Loved Pet) Tool for resources offered by EHS and in our community to support pet guardians.

Shelter

Strategic Objective 2

Shelter

Provide the best possible care for companion animals in need of sheltering and adoption.

Our Goals:

  • Use and contribute to best evidence in animal sheltering and adoptions.
  • Ensure EHS property facilitates excellence in animal sheltering.

Learn more about adopting a new pet into your family.

Inspire

Strategic Objective 3

Inspire

Empower our community to elevate animal welfare.

Our Goals:

  • Work collaboratively with local partners in animal welfare.
  • Work with decision-makers to ensure policies that impact pets and pet guardians take their well-being into account.
  • Inspire compassion and understanding about animals in our youth.

See our Humane Educations programs, which nurture compassion and empathy towards animals from a young age.

Grow

Strategic Objective 4

Grow

Cultivate enduring support and resources to advance our mission.

Our Goals:

  • Grow and sustain financial resources through philanthropic giving to support EHS priorities, take projects and programs to the next level and provide value to the supporter.
  • Grow and sustain financial resources through social enterprise.

Find out how you can support our lifesaving work while strengthening the bond between people and pets.

Engage

Strategic Objective 5

Engage

Foster a positive culture and environment that makes us a leading choice for staff and volunteers.

Our Goals:

  • Create a fulfilling experience for our people.

See how you can be part of our team by viewing our current career and volunteer opportunities.

Discover more about our vision for the future and the strategies we’re using to bring our mission to life.

Read Our Full Plan

Building a Brighter Future

  • Prevent Story

A helping hand to keep a family whole.

After facing a cancer diagnosis and the loss of loved ones, Vanessa found strength in the unwavering support of her pets—and a lifeline through EHS' Pet Pantry program to keep them thriving.

  • Shelter Story

Finding hope, healing and a home in foster care.

Found as a stray with painful wounds and an FIV diagnosis, Kelvin’s journey from recovery to a forever home shows how dedicated care and a loving foster family can transform a cat's life.

  • Inspire Story

From summer camp to a lifelong passion for animals.

From learning animal body language to envisioning a career in animal welfare, Isabella’s journey with EHS has inspired her to deepen her connection with animals and make a difference in their lives.

  • Grow Story

Spreading love from their wedding to help animals in need.

When Jenna and Larson started thinking about adopting a cat, they weren’t sure when they’d take the next step. But that changed the moment Larson showed Jenna a photo of Celeste, a sweet little cat...

  • Engage Story

Turning a passion for dogs into a career that changes lives.

Driven by a passion for understanding dogs, Shea, a dedicated EHS staff member, exemplifies the power of collaboration and compassion in making a meaningful difference for both animals and people.

love hands
  • Engage Story

Creating a caring community, one dog walk at a time.

After retiring, Kathy was eager to give back. Inspired by a love of animals, volunteering at EHS — where she met her dog Cinco — was the perfect way to make a difference.

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