Celebrating National Philanthropy Day
As we reflect on National Philanthropy Day, we’re reminded of the incredible power of generosity and the lasting impact it has on our communities. At the Farley Foundation, this day provides a meaningful opportunity to express our gratitude to all who have supported us throughout the year. 2024 milestone: 1,374 pets helped and counting Thanks to our supporters, 2024 has been a year of extraordinary change for pets and families in Ontario. We’re thrilled to share that, as of this fall, we’ve helped 1,374 pets and their owners—an almost six per cent increase over last year. This milestone brings us closer to our goal of supporting 2,000 families annually by 2027. Together, we’ve helped 774 dogs, 576 cats, eight rabbits, eight birds, four guinea pigs, three ferrets and one rat. From life-saving surgeries to diagnostic testing, your contributions have helped ensure that pets like these receive the care they need to stay healthy and remain with their families. Supporting Ontario’s most vulnerable pet owners Our support reaches those in some of the most challenging situations. This year, we’ve helped 783 pet owners on Ontario Disability Support Payment, 171 relying on Ontario Works, and 163 individuals with annual household incomes below $25,000. Our donors also reached 130 seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and 101 families living with disabilities who rely on the Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit. In addition, through the SafePet Ontario program, 26 pets found refuge, offering safety to those fleeing domestic violence. With Farley Foundation funding, these pets received essential veterinary care, ensuring they were prepared for fostering and a fresh start. Gem and Oscar’s Story: a lifeline in a time of need But the numbers only tell part of the story. Every donation is a lifeline to someone in need, a gift that changes not only the life of a pet but the lives of their owners. One such story is that of Gem, 51, and his beloved cat, Oscar. Gem has faced many personal challenges and when his cat, Oscar, developed a severe urinary tract infection, Gem was unable to afford the veterinary care needed to treat him. Desperate, he was ready to surrender Oscar when a veterinary staff member informed him about the Farley Foundation’s assistance. Thankfully, Gem and Oscar qualified for funding and Oscar received emergency treatment and is now healthy and thriving. Gem shared that Oscar is more than just a pet—he’s family. “Oscar is my everything,” says Gem. “Without your help, I would have lost not just my cat, but a part of myself.” For pet owners like Gem’s, the Farley Foundation is more than just an organization—it’s a source of hope. It can be the difference between facing life’s challenges alone or having a loving animal companion by your side. Our supporters make this possible. National Philanthropy Day: a heartfelt thank you to our supporters As we celebrate National Philanthropy Day, we’re grateful for our incredible supporters—the generous donors, compassionate veterinary clinics, dedicated board members, amazing corporate partners and fabulous volunteers! Thanks to you, the Farley Foundation is keeping tails wagging and hearts full. Your generosity is helping to provide access to essential veterinary care to pets in need across Ontario.
Milton Farmers’ Market highlights: spreading awareness about subsidized veterinary care
On Sept. 7, the Farley Foundation team spent a wonderful day at the Milton Farmers’ Market in downtown Milton, Ont. The beautiful weather made for a perfect setting as we connected with local families, children and their pets. The event was an excellent opportunity for us to raise awareness about subsidized veterinary care for low-income families and how the Farley Foundation provides essential support for pet owners in need. Raising awareness for subsidized veterinary care The event was a great success, not only because the foundation received donations but also because we were able to spread awareness about our mission to support subsidized veterinary care for families in need. It was heartwarming to meet so many enthusiastic individuals and hear their inspiring pet stories. “We were delighted to join the Milton Farmers’ Market and engage with the vibrant community here,” said Kristy Hoffmann, the Farley Foundation’s manager of community and donor relations. “The warm reception from families and their pets was truly uplifting and underscored the importance of our work.” In addition to raising awareness, the event also served as an educational platform. Many visitors were curious about our iconic logo, how the Farley Foundation works and how they could support us. We were thrilled to share more about our programs and how every contribution directly impacts pets in need of essential veterinary care. Community engagement and future events With the momentum from the Farmers’ Market, we’re excited to continue our community engagement efforts. Our next event is the Ride for Farley Community BBQ on Sept. 14 at our office in Milton, and we hope to see even more friends and supporters there. “The energy and support we experienced at the Milton Farmers’ Market was incredible,” Hoffmann added. “We’re looking forward to carrying this momentum into our upcoming events and continuing to connect with the fantastic people of Milton.” Support the foundation Whether it’s through participation in our events, engaging with us online or spreading the word, every bit of support helps us continue to make a difference in the lives of pets and their owners across Ontario. Learn more about how you can support the foundation or contact Kristy Hoffmann to invite us to attend your event. We’re eager to keep engaging with our community and advancing our mission to support families and their beloved pets.
Celebrating young philanthropists: meet the kids making a difference
From sharing lunch with a classmate to selling chocolates for a school fundraiser, philanthropic values often flourish from a young age. Yet, the stories of young philanthropists making a difference in our communities don’t always get the spotlight they deserve. We’re here to change that! Spotlight on Anna, Maeve and Cullen Last month, the foundation was contacted by Dr. Heather, a local veterinarian, who let us know that her children were interested in raising funds for the foundation. As a long-standing supporter of the foundation, Dr. Heather educated her children on the foundation’s mission and how it helps pets in need of essential health care. As pet lovers whose beloved family dog recently required emergency care, Anna, 12, Maeve, 10, and Cullen, 8, were inspired to support the foundation. “We wanted to do this because our dog Rex was paralyzed five months ago,” says Anna. “Now we know what it feels like to have a pet in a condition like this, we’d love to support other pets financially.” Lemonade stand success: $1,667.80 raised for the Farley Foundation On July 28, the young philanthropists held a lemonade stand to collect donations from their local community. While sporting fun and cheerful face paintings and Farley Foundation stickers (not to mention Cullen’s custom Rex shirt!), the ambitious group set up shop just outside their home to sell their freshly prepared juice to passersby. With heart-warming smiles and boundless enthusiasm, these spirited animal lovers raised a total of $1,667.80 for the Farley Foundation! Thanks to their unwavering dedication, Anna, Maeve and Cullen have made an incredible impact and showed that even the smallest hands can make a big difference. “We love the Farley Foundation because what they do is so wholesome and kind,” says Maeve. “We hope that the money goes to pets in need and that we can support their families.” Join us in supporting pets and people in need These young philanthropists’ dedication and compassion serve as an inspiration to us all. Their efforts demonstrate that kindness and generosity know no limits, and their contribution will make a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and their families. We believe that every pet deserves access to essential veterinary care, regardless of their owner’s financial situation. But we can’t do it alone. Just like Anna, Maeve and Cullen, you can make an impact, too. Every donation empowers pets to receive the care they need and helps owners spend more time with their beloved companions. Join us in continuing this mission. Your support, no matter the amount, can change lives. Donate today and help us keep pets healthy and happy. Together, we can make a difference.
Cycle, eat, celebrate: join us at our Milton community event!
The Farley Foundation is excited to invite our supporters and animal lovers in Halton Region to our first ever Milton community event: the Ride for Farley Community BBQ on Sept. 14. The family-friendly event will not disappoint! It’s completely free and open to everyone (including your pets). Bring your family, friends and furry companions along and join us from noon to 4 p.m. at 420 Bronte St. S. in Milton, Ont. for a great day filled with fun, food and philanthropy! Food and activities Attendees can enjoy mouth-watering food from Smokin’ Bones BBQ Catering (including options for our vegan and gluten-free friends) while grooving to the beats of Toronto’s DJ Ugo Flo. While you eat, watch your kids have a blast at our children’s activity station, where they can colour custom Farley Foundation cartoons and get their face painted by Right Choice Children’s Entertainment. In between the fun and food, don’t forget to stop by Happy Tails Pet Photography’s photo station for a free photo of your pet! We’re so excited to also welcome Milton’s Mayor, Gordon Krantz, and MPP Zee Hamid to the festivities. Farley Foundation President, Dr. Gwen Jeun, will also address our supporters and share more about our mission. “We’re thrilled to bring our community together in support of such a meaningful cause,” says Kristy Hoffmann, manager of community and donor relations. “This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the incredible work we do and the impact we have on people and pets in need.” The Ride for Farley The Ride for Farley Community BBQ is a new addition to our annual Ride for Farley event. The ride brings veterinary professionals, families, friends and the community together to cycle 50 or 100 km around the Milton area. Each rider raises funds to support the foundation’s vision that every pet deserves access to veterinary care. The ride officially started in 2005 with one lone cyclist navigating the hilly terrain of northern Ontario and raising $3,000 for the foundation. Today, the event has evolved into dozens of participants getting active in different ways across the province. To date, the Ride for Farley has raised more than $1.1 million. This year, we’re aiming to raise $50,000 to continue helping people and pets in need. Whether you want to participate in the ride or come to the community barbecue, we’d love for you to join us! Make a difference The Ride for Farley is a great opportunity to get active and accomplish a goal while supporting a great cause. If you’re interested in joining the cycling event but you’re a little leery, don’t worry; our support vehicles will be with you along the way to help you however you may need—from motivation to snacks! If you’re interested in cycling, review our FAQ sheet and rider registration form. You can also contact us for more information. Our Milton community event is all about unity. Help us congratulate the cyclists, celebrate the foundation’s work, raise awareness and generate funds. “We hope everyone comes out to enjoy a day of fun and philanthropy,” says Hoffmann. “Your support helps us continue our mission and make a difference in many lives.” Ready to join the fun? RSVP for the free Ride for Farley Community BBQ to let us know you’re coming. If you can’t make it but still want to show your support, you can help us reach our fundraising goal by making a gift online. We can’t wait to see you there. Let’s make this day unforgettable!
Making connections in the Niagara Peninsula
On May 25, the Farley Foundation team had a memorable day at the Peavey Community Day event at the Peavey Mart in Welland, Ont. This wonderful event allowed us to spread the word about our foundation and meet several enthusiastic animal lovers from across the Niagara Peninsula. Peavey Mart, a well-known farm and ranch retail store with locations all over Canada, hosts Peavey Community Days to create stronger community ties. These events bring together local groups and charities to showcase their amazing work, fundraise and engage with the public in fun and meaningful ways. What started as an outdoor barbecue fundraiser, with all proceeds benefiting our foundation, quickly turned into an indoor adventure due to unexpected weather. Despite the shift, we were able to connect with wonderful individuals (and their companions) and hear their heartwarming pet stories. Although the day didn’t exactly go according to plan, the fantastic Peavey Mart team generously pledged to donate all proceeds from their next barbecue to the foundation! “We were thrilled to be invited to Peavey Mart’s Community Day and have the opportunity to connect with the dedicated pet owners and animal lovers of Welland,” said Kristy Hoffmann, the Farley Foundation’s manager of community and donor relations. “The stories we heard were truly inspiring and reinforced the importance of our work.” The Farley Foundation has a history of attending public events, such as veterinary conferences, Rotary clubs and even the Canadian National Exhibition. Now equipped with a larger team, we’re more committed than ever to participating in community events, connecting with the public, spreading awareness and education and expanding our base of supporters and donors. “The warm welcome we experienced at the Peavey Community Day was incredible,” said Hoffmann. “We can’t wait to participate in more events like this and continue building strong relationships with pet owners across Ontario.” If you’d like the Farley Foundation to attend your local event, contact Kristy Hoffmann. We’re eager to connect with more communities and share our mission of helping people and pets in need.
Caledonia Veterinary Clinic receives Farley Foundation award
Last month during its annual reception, the Farley Foundation presented the Dr. Jim Hysen Friend of Farley Award to Caledonia Veterinary Clinic. The Dr. Jim Hysen Friend of Farley Award is presented to an individual or organization that has demonstrated the qualities associated with the late Dr. Hysen (generosity, enthusiasm, camaraderie, and a willingness to assist others) and has made an outstanding contribution to the Farley Foundation. For last year’s Fundraise for Farley Month campaign, Caledonia Veterinary Services held a memorial walk in honour of staff member Deby Watts, which overlapped the route she used to take with her golden retriever, Olivia. As far back as the foundation has collected contact information for participating Fundraise for Farley Month clinics, Deby was the main contact for the clinic. Sadly, Deby passed away in early 2022. Deby’s Memorial Walk raised more than $6,000 for the Farley Foundation. The foundation was honoured to recognize the team at Caledonia Veterinary Clinic with this award for its continued effort in both raising awareness and fundraising for the foundation. Since 2012, the clinic has raised more than $15,000 to help low-income people care for their companion animals.
Summit Veterinary Pharmacy receives Farley award
Each year, the Farley Foundation presents the Dr. Jim Hysen Friend of Farley Award in memory of one of the foundation’s greatest advocates and friends. The award recognizes an individual’s or organization’s outstanding support of the Farley Foundation. The 2019 recipient is Summit Veterinary Pharmacy, which has sponsored the Ride for Farley since 2009, first as a platinum sponsor, and for the last eight years as title sponsor of the event. Over the past 10 years, Summit has committed a total of $130,000 in sponsorship to the event. Not only does Summit support the Ride for Farley financially, but each year Summit staff also volunteer by driving support vehicles for the event’s riders and enthusiastically lend a hand to help the event run smoothly. Congratulations to Summit Veterinary Pharmacy and thank you to all our donors and sponsors!
Kitchener veterinarians win Friend of Farley Award
Two Kitchener veterinarians have been recognized with the 2018 Dr. Jim Hysen Friend of Farley Award. Drs. Deanne Croft (pictured right) and Ellie Cowper (pictured left) of Chicopee Hills Animal Hospital received the award at a reception in January for their ongoing support of the Farley Foundation. The award recognizes an individual or organization that’s made an outstanding contribution to the Farley Foundation and has demonstrated the qualities associated with Dr. Jim Hysen, including generosity, enthusiasm, camaraderie and a willingness to assist others. Dr. Hysen was president of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association in 2009 and a strong supporter of the foundation. He passed away in 2012 after battling lymphoma. For the past 15 years, Chicopee Hills Animal Hospital has been a top fundraiser and supporter of the Farley Foundation. Drs. Croft and Cowper have regularly participated in the Ride for Farley, and as practice owners they have proudly held fundraising events and dedicated their time to the foundation.
Funds for Farley benefit concert Dec. 17 helps pet owners in need
A concert benefiting the Farley Foundation will take place Dec. 17 in Hamilton, Ont. Organized by well-known local singer-songwriter Martin Verrall, the matinee event will feature 21 musical acts, plus pet photos with Santa. Verrall learned about the Farley Foundation from his veterinarian during regular visits with his cat, Vlad. When Vlad passed away earlier this year, Verrall wanted to do something in his memory and give back. Since its establishment in 2002 by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, the Farley Foundation has disbursed $3.4 million to assist more than 8,000 pets in need. It subsidizes up to 100 per cent of the cost of care to a maximum $1,000 per pet or pet owner per year for vital treatments, including diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization and medications. Pet owners demonstrating financial need can apply for funding through their veterinarian. The Funds for Farley benefit concert takes place Dec. 17 at This Ain’t Hollywood (345 James St., N.) in Hamilton. Santa photos are at 3 p.m. and the concert starts at 3:30 p.m. Admission is $10 or pay what you can.