When you think of a community hero, your mind might not immediately go to an animal shelter. But at St. Thomas Animal Services, their work for animals and their people is nothing short of extraordinary. From reuniting lost pets with frantic owners to caring for wildlife in need, this team is the heartbeat of animal welfare in our city.
With a new shelter on the horizon for St. Thomas, fundraising efforts are in full swing to support the construction and effective outfitting of the new facility. We wanted to step into the current facility to learn more about what the team at Animal Services does, their current limitations, and glimpse what the future holds for the furry residents of our community.
We are #stthomasproud to have an incredible, dedicated team of city employees not only working at the shelter but coming together with creative ideas to raise funds and awareness for the new project to involve the community. Many of us have used the shelter services at one time or another either adopting or needing their help with a lost or injured animal and understand how vital these services are to a growing community. In February there are two fundraisers happening for the community to participate in and enjoy. All February long, Art for Animals brings the work of local artists to three venues in Downtown St. Thomas. Folks can view artwork in person or online and purchase through an online shop with Railway City Tourism. The full sale price will go directly to supporting the construction of the new shelter as the artists have generously donated their work to benefit the cause. On February 15, the shelter has teamed up with artists Koree Keates, Ben Vandevooren, and Natalia Gauthier at Limitless Tattoo will be offering simple pet themed flash options for $60 from 9am-9pm for a Valentine's Day Ink-A-Pawlooza. This one is a first come first serve so dress warm and line up early! 
Laura Keates and Mike Elliott
Meet [a few of] the Caretakers
While it takes a village of staff and volunteers to care for the lost, stray, and wild critters of St. Thomas, including a network of incredible rescues, today's focus on the City of St. Thomas Animal Services shelter starts with the dream team: Laura Keates and Mike Elliott. If you follow along with the Animal Services Facebook Page or have attended any fundraising events, these two may already be familiar faces. Laura, the Animal Shelter Coordinator, is the glue that holds everything together. She manages everything from animal care and adoptions to cleaning and creating new procedures. Fun fact: she turned some skunk-training experience into an official operational procedure last spring. Then there's Mike, the city's Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Officer, who's as hands-on as they come. Mike and our other bylaw officers enforce city bylaws, but they also tackle shelter shifts, handle wildlife, feed and care for shelter animals, and keep everything running smoothly. Both Laura and Mike are incredibly passionate about their work, and they use that passion and their expertise to ensure that every animal that comes through their doors gets a chance at a better life. But they have other incredible members of the bylaw team to help out too!
Rescuing skunks and trash pandas from unsafe situations is just part of the job for this team. Occasionally a more complex case might be called in.
Supporting the St. Thomas Community
The shelter provides essential services for local pet owners and the broader community. If you've ever lost a pet, you know how gut-wrenching it is. The shelter is often people's first call when their furry friend goes missing. They keep an updated lost-and-found list, scan for microchips, and post every lost pet on their social media to help get them home quickly. They also host microchip clinics and encourage pet owners to stop by to check if their pet's microchip info is current. (Spoiler: many people don't realize their chip info is outdated!) Beyond reuniting pets and owners, the shelter cares for animals without homes. This means feeding, bathing, grooming, and providing medical care for the cats and dogs that come through its doors. And it's not just about domestic animals—it also handles injured wildlife, from raccoons to skunks. But here's the reality: the shelter is constantly full. In 2024 alone, they cared for 133 dogs and 310 cats. Laura says, "Most of the year, we are at full capacity and often have a wait list for strays to come in. We have been unable to accommodate owner surrenders due to the high volume of stray animals or pets abandoned on the side of the road." While partnerships with local rescues like Animal Aide, All Breed Canine Rescue, K9 Ground Search, and Another Chance Wildlife are vital, an updated city facility can offer better support to owners and rescues alike.
The current shelter on Burwell Road alongside a rendering of the new facility to be located off of Southdale Line
Despite all the efforts made by this team, not all of the animals they assist find their happy tails. But they touch hearts nonetheless. An official memorial wall is part of the plan for the new facility offering pet owners an opportunity to create a lasting impact on local lost or neglected animals in memorial of their own beloved pets.
Building a New Home for St. Thomas's Animals
With St. Thomas's population growing, the demand for animal services has skyrocketed. The current shelter, while functional, struggles with outdated and overcrowded facilities. Outdated dog runs lack proper drainage and flood often when it rains. Without dual indoor/outdoor runs, every dog must be walked outside, which can be dangerous if they're scared or not friendly. The shelter's current location on Burwell Road is also limiting for those required walks. While volunteers sometimes take resident dogs off-premise, it's not as efficient as having purpose-built facilities. With rising needs, limited space has made operations increasingly challenging. But there's hope on the horizon! Thanks to a generous private donation and funding from the City of St. Thomas, a new shelter with modern features designed to enhance care is in the works. Key upgrades include:
Sophie was adopted as a kitten through a partnership with the City of St. Thomas Animal Services and Animal Aide, she's made art to help other kittens and puppies for the Art for Animals event.
The Adoption Journey
St. Thomas Animal Services is strictly a "no-kill" shelter, where every animal is prepared for adoption into a loving home. Before adoption, pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. The team takes the time to learn each animal's personality, ensuring they find the perfect match with potential adopters. Adoption is an accessible process. Laura and Mike suggest checking out the Animal Services Facebook or Pet Finder page to see who's available. If a pet interests you, call the shelter to set up an appointment to meet them. Complete the adoption application beforehand to bring you to your appointment, or send it early via email if you wish. But it's not first come, first serve; the team interviews multiple families to ensure the animal goes to the right family for its individual needs. They never do same-day adoptions, requiring approved adopters to wait a minimum of 24 hours after meeting the pet to ensure they're not making an impulse decision based on how adorable the animal is. These adoptions are a lifetime commitment. One of the shelter's longest residents, Lucille, a St. Bernard/Husky mix, is a prime example of their dedication. After surviving cancer and learning to trust again, Lucy is now waiting for her forever home with a loving family that can appreciate her journey and resilience.
Happy Tails and Heartwarming Stories
For Laura and Mike, the work is more than a job—it's a mission. They recall memorable cases like Buttercup, a malnourished Great Dane who transformed into a clumsy, lovable companion, and Nitro, a rehabilitated malamute who overcame abuse and now protects his family from bears! These stories are a testament to the shelter's impact, made possible by the dedicated volunteers and community support. Volunteers are vital to the shelter's success, from helping with grooming to running the TNR (Trap/Neuter/Release) program for feral cats. Looking Ahead The new shelter is more than a building—it's a promise to the animals and the people of St. Thomas. With improved facilities and expanded services, the team can continue to provide care, compassion, and second chances for years to come. Whether you're considering adoption, volunteering, or donating, every contribution helps. Together, we can create happier tails and brighter futures for the animals who need them most. Visit St. Thomas Animal Services' website or follow them on social media for more information or to support their efforts.
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