On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2025 Business Excellence Awards Gala, presented by Cowan Insurance Group. The Waterloo Region business community, local dignitaries, and community ambassadors came together to honour the extraordinary contributions of more than 130 nominees across 14 categories.
Congratulations to the Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth for taking home the Non-Profit/Charitable award! The KW Chamber dedicates this award to the business that truly supports the community in their day-to-day efforts, and uses what funding they receive to pour it back into causes that need it the most across Waterloo Region & beyond.
With two community animal care centres in Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford, Ontario, The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth supports over 500,000 people across 13 municipalities. Self-funded and self-governed, they are a recognized leader in animal welfare.
In the past year, The Humane Society has made significant strides in both animal welfare and community support. Programs like their Pet Pantry have provided essential pet food and supplies to families experiencing financial hardship. In 2024, their Humane Education Programs reached over 21,000 students, fostering compassion and responsibility toward animals in future generations. Plus, the organization delivered over $30,000 worth of free veterinary services through their Veterinary Outreach efforts, assisting 269 pets in need. Their mission goes beyond animal care—they are deeply dedicated to creating a compassionate, supportive community for both animals and people.
Innovation is at the heart of The Humane Society’s work. Their successful Better Together Capital Campaign, which raised an impressive $362,000, included a Taylor Swift concert ticket giveaway and marked the organization’s most successful fundraiser to date. These funds will be used to develop a new Community Outreach Centre, designed to provide more accessible services for both animals and people.
Through these initiatives, The Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo Stratford Perth has not only transformed the lives of countless animals but also strengthened the fabric of the community.
