Giving animals a second chance since 1998
The Cochrane & Area Humane Society provides food, shelter, medical care, and the opportunity for adoption to unwanted, surrendered, lost and unclaimed animals while promoting responsible pet ownership through its educational programs, rural spay/neuter programs, and public fundraising events.
The Cochrane & Area Humane Society was founded in 1998 as a collaboration between Tracy Keith, a volunteer at the time with Animal Services, and Charlene Ruttle, an Animal Control Officer. They worked together to improve the living conditions for impounded animals and recognized a need in the community for better animal sheltering. They organized an open meeting to gauge interest in forming a humane society and were pleasantly surprised at the turnout from residents, standing room only.
And just like that, the Cochrane Humane Society was born. Charlene remained with Animal Services, and Tracy headed up the new society. The society incorporated on March 10, 1998, received charitable status in February 1999, and now consists of an executive board of directors, a variety of skilled full-time and part-time employees, and many dedicated volunteers.
The Cochrane & Area Humane Society has been serving the City of Airdrie since 2016, when our staff and volunteers began making daily trips to the city to rescue stray and homeless cats. The shelter also serves Rocky View County West of Highway 2, MD of Big Horn, MountainView County, Redwood Meadows, Stoney Nation, and Tsuut’ina Nation.
The Cochrane & Area Humane Society staff and volunteers strive to find loving homes for all of the animals that come into their care. They work hard at socializing the shelter animals, offering playtime for the cats on a daily basis and even teach the dogs basic obedience and manners so that the transition into a new home is easy for everyone. The staff knows that when a well-socialized animal is placed in a good home, the result is a successful and permanent adoption. Learn more about how we work in our Philosophy Statement.
The Cochrane community continues to demonstrate their strong support of the Society through volunteerism, sponsorship, memberships and donations of cash, food and supplies. Our 2021 annual report and our 2021 audited financial statements show how donor dollars support our organization. On behalf of the animals, the shelter staff, and the volunteers, we want to extend a warm thank-you to all who have supported the Society over the years.
Our vision
Be a regional leader participating in initiatives that reduce indifference towards, suffering, and overpopulation of animals and inspire communities to value and treat animals with compassion and respect.
Our mission
Leading and educating communities in animal welfare by providing pets in need with shelter, rehabilitation, training and opportunity, and supporting people in responsible pet care—saving and changing lives.
Governance
The CAHS Board strives to maintain strong governance principles that enable CAHS management to provide high-quality care for animals in need and to increase public awareness and confidence in the Cochrane & Area Humane Society.
CAHS leadership team
Ryan Tomlinson
Ryan Tomlinson is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary. Ryan has more than 25 years of financial accounting experience, both domestic and international.
Ryan lives in northwest Calgary with his wife, two teenage daughters and their 11-year-old Siberian Husky, Shadow. Winter is their favourite time of the year, and they can often be found seeking out fresh powder while skiing or trying to keep up with Shadow on a fat tire bike.
Jaimie Anton
Jaimie’s degree and background in resource management, combined with her love of animals, led her to the humane society after working in the field of conservation enforcement. Over the years, Jaimie has worked in various areas of the shelter before becoming the Operations Manager.
She enjoys working with both people and animals, particularly in the community outreach programs she oversees. Jaimie holds a certificate in Non-Profit Management and is involved in a number of other community organizations. Outside of the shelter, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, two teenagers, and her two dogs, Hubert and Tallulah von Doodle.
Clare Southgate
Clare comes the role of Programs Manager after 10 years in animal welfare, having worked in different sizes of organization and in many different departments including, Education, Adoptions, Animal Behaviour, Intake, Foster, and Animal Care. Clare is also a Certified Dog Trainer. Her past experiences outside of the animal welfare industry also include experience in customer service and management roles at Ikea and extensive education and teaching experience in the not-for-profit education sector. Clare has a passion for teaching, and for sharing knowledge with others, both people and animals.
Outside of work, Clare enjoys spending time with her family and newly adopted puppy, Frank. Having a puppy in the house means she has very little time for anything else, but as her other passion is animal behaviour and training, it is all working out perfectly!