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June 16, 2025
The Georgian Triangle Humane Society (GTHS) announces an exciting milestone in the development of its new, much-needed Regional Centre for Pets and People (RCPP). A tender has been awarded to Bertram Construction for the building of the new Animal Centre, a state-of-the-art facility designed to amplify the impact of the GTHS in the years to come. Construction of the RCPP will begin in early July.
Now celebrating 25 years, the GTHS has grown into a vital community organization delivering compassionate services that address both animal welfare and human well-being. However, the need for these services has outpaced the capacity of the organization’s existing building. The current Animal Centre doesn’t have enough space to support current needs. Cats and dogs are recovering from surgical care in hallways, and the team relies heavily on foster volunteers and crates in the garage to house animals – all while the organization continues to navigate a growing waitlist. The current 6,000 square-foot facility was originally designed in 2007 to support approximately 500 animals per year. The GTHS team currently serves nearly 4,000 animals annually.
As the community continues to grow and its residents see economic pressures mounting, the GTHS has been planning a 19,000-square-foot Animal Centre to be built on five acres of secured land, enabling them to dramatically expand their ability to care, connect, and create lasting change. With the ability to provide more critical services, the organization will finally have the space to offer genuine hope for the pets and people that come to them for support.
Karen Marsh, Executive Director of the GTHS
The new Animal Centre will enable the GTHS to more adeptly provide the care and services desperately needed within the community. It will not only double their shelter capacity — it will quintuple the number of families they’re able to support through crisis, and deliver nearly five times more affordable veterinary surgeries to underserved pet owners.
Specifically, the RCPP will enable the GTHS to do the following annually:
The RCPP is being built through the support of the community and generous donations, and the need for this support continues. To donate to the project, please contact here. To learn more about the RCPP, please click here.
Since its inception, the GTHS has sheltered more than 15,000 animals, offering a safe-haven and a fresh start for pets in need. As one of the only accessible spay/neuter hospitals serving Bruce, Grey, and part of Simcoe County, the GTHS Hospital has performed over 7,600 spay/neuter surgeries and administered over 4,000 rabies vaccinations. GTHS Humane Education Programs have inspired and impacted more than 13,000 youth to cultivate empathy, kindness, and respect for all living beings. Annually, its Adoption Services help find loving homes for 1,300 animals, and its Access to Care Services keep 3,000 pets out of shelters and instead home together with their families during crisis and emergency situations.
“The RCPP has been a dream for the GTHS team for many years, and this incredible milestone is significant,” said Karen Marsh, Executive Director of the GTHS. “We thank the generous donors and supporters who have already done so much and gotten us to this stage. However, as we break ground and begin to see the foundation of our future being poured, we are also mindful that we need even more support from the community to raise the funds needed for this incredible project, and all the work we continue to do. The need has never been greater.”
“We’re thrilled to award this tender and to move ahead with building a new Animal Centre,” said Monika Merz, Interim Chair, GTHS Board of Directors. “The support of the community leading up to this moment has been inspiring, and we look forward to continuing the momentum.”
Bertram Construction, which was awarded the tender for construction, has been servicing Simcoe County, the District of Muskoka, and the surrounding area for 90 years. “This RCPP is a milestone for the community, and our team is proud to be a part of it,” said Lisa Bertram, Owner, Director and President of Bertram Construction. “Bertram Construction is a strong supporter of the community and gives back a considerable amount of our profit annually to local charities. This project holds a very special place in our hearts. We’re excited to break ground and build this new centre to support pets and people alike.”
Michael Gallant, Principal at Unity Design Studio and the architect on the RCPP project, said, “Designing this centre has been both a privilege and a responsibility. We’ve worked on many animal care facilities across Ontario, but few have carried this depth of need, or this level of community resolve. While it’s heartbreaking that demand continues to grow, this building has been created with compassion, intention, and the future in mind. It’s a space for healing, for connection, and for the life-changing work GTHS carries out every day. We’re proud to help bring it to life.”
The GTHS is a non-profit charity that operates an Animal Centre serving the south Georgian Bay region by providing shelter for homeless animals and adopting them to caring families. They offer innovative programs that enhance and support the human-animal bond. These programs include Lifelong Learning, Access to Care and Animal Transport for pets in underserved communities.
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