Burlington Humane Society

What Burlington Humane Society does

Burlington Humane Society Inc. is a registered Canadian charity (#119254498RR0001) operating Ontario's longest-established no-kill animal shelter, founded in 1974 in Burlington, Ontario. The organization provides rescue, medical care, rehabilitation, and adoption services for abandoned and stray dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens, complemented by a multi-tier foster care program (covering socialization, nursing mothers, bottle babies, medical needs, and long-term placements), a pet therapy program anchored by therapy dog Izzy, and community education through the Burlington Humane Kids Club (ages 7-12, 10-week sessions), pet first aid courses, and a content library built around its 41+ episode podcast. Operations are housed at a single physical shelter at 740 Griffith Court, Burlington, supplemented by two retail outlets — The Loft (at the shelter) and The Attic (479 John Street) — that sell second-hand merchandise, calendars, and the "Izzy is Busy" children's book series.

The revenue model is a hybrid of donation-driven and earned-income streams. Charitable contributions are accepted via one-time gifts (tax receipts for $20+), the recurring "Hearts of Humane" monthly giving program, planned legacy bequests (general, specific, residuary, contingency, securities, and life insurance), a designated Building Fund, and vehicle donations processed through Donate a Car Canada. Earned income flows from adoption fees (administered via ShelterLuv), annual fundraising events (Steps for Pets walk, Pooch Plunge, Ruff Ride motorcycle ride, Furry Friends 5K, Calendar Stars, 50/50 and grand prize raffles through Rafflebox), veterinary service clinics (rabies vaccine, nail trim, microchip), Christmas symbolic gifting ($5-$40 tiers), and bookable use of the on-site dog park through Sniffspot. Donation processing is split across Keela, PayPal, and CanadaHelps, with event ticketing and registration also managed through Keela.

The organization is governed by a board of directors, employs a small core staff (President Jenn Merritt, Volunteer Coordinator Tali Bar-Or, Volunteer/Event Coordinator Alex Zych, Animal Care Supervisor Marsha Locke, multiple Adoption Counselors, and Animal Care Workers), and depends substantially on its volunteer network and foster providers. It is a member of Humane Canada (the federation of Canadian humane societies and SPCAs) and sustains a multi-channel presence through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and a recurring sponsor and marketplace partner roster that includes Big Country Raw, Blue Wave, Ren's Pets Depot, IDEXX Canada, Royal Canin, VCA Bay Cities Animal Hospital, Skedaddle Wildlife Control, Rainbarrel.ca, Novel, Halton Women's Place, Ladybird Sanctuary, The Benjamin Project, Rebecca's Home and Pet Services, LEWS Lenses, and Beauty in Wellness Designs. The shelter celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024 and currently serves the Burlington and broader Ontario region from a single physical site.

Name

Burlington Humane Society

Legal name

Burlington Humane Society Inc.

Website

https://burlingtonhumane.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Burlington Humane Society is a registered Canadian charity operating Ontario's longest-running no-kill animal shelter, founded in 1974 in Burlington, Ontario. The organization serves the surrounding community through dog and cat adoption, foster care, pet therapy, and educational programs, funded by donations, events, retail, and service fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Foster & Volunteer Network Programs (BPAGAIAF), Low-Cost & Community Veterinary Clinics (HLAMAAAE), Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK)

Keywords

• Animal shelter services
• Pet adoption programs
• Foster care services
• Animal welfare charity
• Community fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. One-Time Donations: Individual donations of various amounts, with tax receipts issued for donations of $20 or more. Donors can give via website, e-transfer, phone, or mail.
2. Monthly Giving (Hearts of Humane): Recurring monthly donations pre-arranged by supporters, providing predictable revenue stream for ongoing operations.
3. Legacy Bequests: Planned gifts through wills and estates, including general bequests, specific bequests, residuary bequests, contingency bequests, securities gifts, and life insurance gifts.
4. Adoption Fees: Fees charged for dog and cat adoptions, processed through ShelterLuv platform.
5. Fundraising Events: Revenue from events including Steps for Pets, Pooch Plunge, Ruff Ride, Furry Friends 5K, calendar sales, and raffles.
6. Building Fund Donations: Designated donations specifically for shelter repairs and maintenance.
7. Vehicle Donations: Vehicle donation program through Donate a Car Canada, converting unwanted vehicles to charitable donations.
8. Pet Services and Products: Revenue from pet first aid courses, microchip/nail trim/rabies clinics, calendar sales, children's books ('Izzy is Busy'), and merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Burlington Humane Society operates a no-kill animal shelter providing adoption of dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens, plus foster care for animals needing special care, long-term care for medical/behavioral cases, pet therapy visits, and community education programs including the Kids Club and Pet First Aid courses. Revenue is generated through adoption fees, donations, clinic services (rabies, microchip, nail trim), annual community fundraising events, merchandise sales, and a podcast/media presence.

Product overview

Burlington Humane Society operates as Ontario's premier no-kill animal shelter offering a comprehensive portfolio of animal welfare services. The core offerings include animal adoption (dogs and cats), foster care programs with various specializations (socialization, nursing, bottle babies, medical needs), and pet therapy programs. Educational services encompass the Burlington Humane Kids Club for children ages 7-12 and pet first aid courses. The organization maintains a strong community presence through its award-winning podcast (41+ episodes), annual events (Pooch Plunge, Ruff Ride, Furry Friends 5K, Steps for Pets), and seasonal fundraising products including Calendar Stars pet calendars and Christmas gifting programs. Additional services include rabies/nail trim/microchip clinics, a fully fenced dog park, and merchandise such as the 'Izzy is Busy' children's book series. Donation programs include one-time gifts, monthly Hearts of Humane giving, legacy bequests, and building fund contributions. The shelter processes donations through multiple platforms including Keela, PayPal, CanadaHelps, and accepts vehicle donations through Donate a Car Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Animal Adoption Services No-kill shelter offering adoption of dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. The adoption process includes an application, adoption counsellor interview, and family meet-and-greet with the animal.
• Foster Care Program Temporary home placement for animals needing special care including socialization, nursing mothers, bottle babies, and medical needs, with time commitments ranging from 2 weeks to 5 months.
• Pet Therapy Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of animals helped annually through adoption and care programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Rainbarrel.caminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 July 2026Rain Barrel Sale Event partnership. For every barrel sold, Burlington Humane receives $10 plus a percentage from accessory sales. All proceeds support animal care and shelter operations.
• NovelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 October 2025Sponsoring the Rabies, Nail Trim & Microchip Clinic event at Burlington Humane (561 Brant St, Burlington location).
• Big Country RawminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Steps for Pets fundraising event. Provided support to help make the annual walk event possible.
• Blue WaveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Steps for Pets event, providing partnership, hard work, and expertise in creating a successful event.
• Humane CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud member of Humane Canada, the federation of humane societies and SPCAs. Participates in Humane Canada's Promising Practices Project. Works on animal welfare advocacy and policy.
• Ladybird SanctuaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEpisode 40 featured guests Melissa McClelland, Lisa Winn, and Janine Stoll, founders of Ladybird Sanctuary, discussing their work for animals in need.
• Halton Women's PlaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for 'For the Love of Paws' initiative helping women and their pets find safety. Michaela Rolston, Program Manager for Safe Shelter Program featured on podcast.
• Ren's Pets DepotminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal pet store partner. Sponsors Ruff Ride event. Santa photo sessions held at Ren's Pets location (2424 Queensway Drive, Burlington).
• Skedaddle Wildlife ControlminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRyan Rainville from Skedaddle featured on podcast episodes discussing humane wildlife relocation and property protection.
• Royal CaninminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple podcast episodes featuring Royal Canin representatives discussing pet nutrition, obesity, senior cats, spaying/neutering, and bone/joint health.
• VCA Bay Cities Animal HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterinary partner featured on multiple podcast episodes discussing pet health topics including ticks, Lyme disease, and carrier training.
• The Benjamin ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMalcolm Bernstein founded The Benjamin Project in memory of his dog Benjamin. Initiative honoring senior and special needs animals. Marketplace partner.
• IDEXX CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Ruff Ride motorcycle fundraiser event.
• Rebecca's Home and Pet ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDog walking and pet sitting service. Donates $2.00 for every walk to Burlington Humane. Marketplace partner.
• LEWS LensesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNature and architecture photography. $5 from every sale goes to Burlington Humane. Marketplace partner.
• Beauty in Wellness DesignsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProduct designer Stacey Broad. $2 donated for every item $10+; lanterns and bag/wallet sets have $5 donation. Marketplace partner.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA: National US animal welfare organization operating sheltering, veterinary, and national advocacy programs with a substantially larger donor base and broader geographic reach.
• BC SPCA: Provincial federation operating 40+ animal centres across British Columbia with provincial advocacy, humane education, and enforcement roles. A larger incumbent in the same shelter-and-advocacy space.
• Ontario SPCA Provincial Office: Larger-scale Ontario-wide federation delivering sheltering, enforcement, and advocacy with multi-region footprint. Comparable mission at materially greater scale and geographic reach.
• Humane Society of the United States: Largest US animal welfare organization focused on national advocacy, policy, and grant-making rather than direct shelter operation; competes for the same donor dollar pool as Canadian humane societies.
• Best Friends Animal Society: US-based no-kill-focused national animal welfare organization running sanctuaries and a national network. Shares the no-kill mission framing that Burlington Humane uses to position itself.

Direct peers

• Ontario SPCA and Humane Society: Provincial federation of humane societies operating multiple animal centres across Ontario. Burlington Humane is itself a member; directly comparable in advocacy, sheltering, and education mandates.
• Calgary Humane Society: Mid-sized Canadian municipal no-kill shelter providing adoption, education, and community programs. Structurally similar to Burlington Humane in scope, funding model, and program mix.
• Oakville & Milton Humane Society: Adjacent Halton Region humane society providing animal sheltering, adoption, and community programs in Oakville and Milton. Directly comparable in mandate, regional scope, and operating model.
• Toronto Humane Society: Large urban Ontario shelter operating adoption, veterinary clinic, and community programs. Comparable in mission and core services but operates at a substantially larger urban scale.
• Hamilton SPCA: Regional Ontario animal shelter serving the Hamilton area, offering adoption, surrender prevention, and community education. Closest geographic peer with overlapping donor and adopter pool in the Greater Hamilton-Burlington corridor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/BurlHumane
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCUbkKJKahni0owm2QxAXH-g?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/burlingtonhumane
• Instagraminstagram.com/burlingtonhumane
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/burlington-humane-society-animal-aid

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Burlington Humane Society