2024 OMHS AWARDS NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN

This award will be presented to a youth volunteer who has made a significant contribution to improve the quality of life for animals. 

Characteristics 

A successful nominee is an Oakville & Milton Humane Society volunteer who: 

• Is a role model who inspires others
• Is kind and compassionate towards people and animals
• Helps other volunteers or staff beyond the requirements of the volunteer position
• Consistently demonstrates commitment and dedication to their volunteer work
• Embodies the values of the OMHS –
  • Inclusive: We strive to cultivate a collaborative, supportive environment where individuals feel respected and valued for their contributions.
  • Engaged: We are committed to the humane treatment of animals and continually look for creative and innovative ways to provide care.
  • Compassionate: We encourage a personal sense of responsibility to alleviate suffering or distress by showing benevolence, and empathy for animals and people.
  • Principled: We work together with integrity to gain the trust of our volunteers, donors, and community through ethical and responsible conduct.
  • Accountable: We accept our individual and team responsibilities, meet our commitments, bring out the best in each other and take ownership of our decisions and actions.

Criteria 

The nominee: 

• Has been a consistent and active volunteer for program duration or a minimum of one year 
• Has significantly helped further the mission of the OMHS 
• Must be between 13 and 24 

Nomination Process 

One service award will be awarded each year. Nominations can be made by staff and volunteers of the OMHS during the nomination period or those who are linked to the OMHS and are aware of the work of the volunteer. Nominees will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and a recipient will be selected. 

This award will be presented to a foster family that has demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in fostering animals. 

Characteristics 

A successful nominee is an Oakville & Milton Humane Society volunteer who: 

• Is a role model who inspires others
• Is kind and compassionate towards people and animals
• Helps other volunteers or staff beyond the requirements of the volunteer position
• Consistently demonstrates commitment and dedication to their volunteer work
• Embodies the values of the OMHS –
  • Inclusive: We strive to cultivate a collaborative, supportive environment where individuals feel respected and valued for their contributions.
  • Engaged: We are committed to the humane treatment of animals and continually look for creative and innovative ways to provide care.
  • Compassionate: We encourage a personal sense of responsibility to alleviate suffering or distress by showing benevolence, and empathy for animals and people.
  • Principled: We work together with integrity to gain the trust of our volunteers, donors, and community through ethical and responsible conduct.
  • Accountable: We accept our individual and team responsibilities, meet our commitments, bring out the best in each other and take ownership of our decisions and actions.

Criteria 

The nominee: 

• Has been a consistent and active volunteer for a minimum of one year 
• Has helped numerous animals become ready for their new homes 
• Has significantly helped further the mission of the OMHS 
• May be an individual or entire family 

Nomination Process 

One service award will be awarded each year. Nominations can be made by staff and volunteers of the OMHS during the nomination period or those who are linked to the OMHS and are aware of the work of the volunteer. Nominees will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and a recipient will be selected. 

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to a volunteer who has gone above and beyond in demonstrating compassion for animals and has also demonstrated exceptional service/leadership qualities. 

Characteristics 

A successful nominee is an Oakville & Milton Humane Society volunteer who: 

• Is a role model who inspires others
• Is kind and compassionate towards people and animals
• Helps other volunteers or staff beyond the requirements of the volunteer position
• Consistently demonstrates commitment and dedication to their volunteer work
• Embodies the values of the OMHS –
  • Inclusive: We strive to cultivate a collaborative, supportive environment where individuals feel respected and valued for their contributions.
  • Engaged: We are committed to the humane treatment of animals and continually look for creative and innovative ways to provide care.
  • Compassionate: We encourage a personal sense of responsibility to alleviate suffering or distress by showing benevolence, and empathy for animals and people.
  • Principled: We work together with integrity to gain the trust of our volunteers, donors, and community through ethical and responsible conduct.
  • Accountable: We accept our individual and team responsibilities, meet our commitments, bring out the best in each other and take ownership of our decisions and actions.

Criteria 

The nominee: 

• Has been a consistent and active volunteer for a minimum of 15 years 
• Has significantly helped further the mission of the OMHS 
• Has designed, implemented, and lead a program or project
• Has contributed substantial time and expertise in support of the work of the OMHS 

Nomination Process 

One service award will be awarded each year. Nominations can be made by staff and volunteers of the OMHS during the nomination period or those who are linked to the OMHS and are aware of the work of the volunteer. Nominees will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and a recipient will be selected. 

This award will be presented to a corporation or business who has made a significant contribution to improve the quality of life for animals. 

Characteristics 

A successful nominee is an Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS) corporate donor who: 

• Is kind and compassionate towards people and animals 
• Consistently demonstrates commitment and dedication to animal welfare 
• Is a positive role model within the animal welfare community 
• Embodies the values of the OMHS – compassionate, progressive, engaged with our communities, a trusted partner 
• Endeavors to build an equal partnership that supports both the OMHS and the corporation/business 

Criteria 

The nominee: 

• Has been a consistent and active corporate donor for a minimum of 5 years,
• Has given at a minimum $20,000 in cash or in combination with gift in kind, over that period of time
• Has significantly helped further the mission of the OMHS through financial as well as other unique supports 
• Small business or a large corporation are all eligible 

Nomination Process 

One award will be awarded each year. Nominations can be made by staff or volunteers of the OMHS during the nomination period. Nominees will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and a recipient will be selected. 

This award will be presented to a youth fundraiser who has made a significant contribution to improve the quality of life for animals. 

Characteristics 

A successful nominee is an Oakville & Milton Humane Society fundraiser who: 

• Is a role model who inspires others 
• Has demonstrated kindness and compassionate towards people and animals 
• Helps spread the word in the community about the work and the needs of OMHS 
• Consistently demonstrates commitment to and passion for animal welfare 
• Embodies the values of the OMHS – compassionate, progressive, engaged with our communities 

Criteria 

The nominee: 

• Has hosted a fundraiser for the OMHS in the last 12 months 
• Has raised $250 or more in cash donations 
• Has enabled the OMHS to further our mission with the funds raised 
• Must be 16 years of age or younger 

Nomination Process 

One award will be awarded each year. Nominations can be made by staff or volunteers of the OMHS during the nomination period or those who are linked to the OMHS and are aware of the work of the fundraiser. Nominees will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and a recipient will be selected. 

This award will be presented to a veterinary organization that has made a significant contribution to improve the quality of life for animals.

Characteristics

A successful nominee is a veterinary organization that:

• Demonstrates kindness and compassion to animals and people
• Consistently demonstrates commitment and dedication to animal welfare
• Embodies the values of the OMHS – compassionate, progressive, engaged with the community, a trusted partner

Criteria

The nominee:

• Has been a consistent and active partner with the OMHS for a minimum of 3 years
• Has provided a minimum of $30,000 in in-kind services, sponsorship, or as a financial gift
• Helps to further the mission of the OMHS through other supports such as:
  • • Is a resource to the OMHS by volunteering in a professional capacity
    • Volunteers at OMHS events (Mission Pawsible, microchip clinics, etc.)
    • Promotes the OMHS by holding a fundraiser or third-party event where the OMHS is the recipient of the fundraising
    • The veterinarian and staff foster
    • Is a speaker for the OMHS
  • Is a veterinary clinic, hospital, mobile service, or other related organization

  Nomination Process

  One award will be awarded each year. Nominations can be made by staff of the OMHS during the nomination period. Nominees will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and a recipient will be selected.

This award will be presented to a child who has demonstrated kindness and compassion towards animals.  

Characteristics

A successful nominee is a child in our community who: 

• Exemplifies acts of empathy, kindness and compassion towards both animals and humans 
• Embodies the essence of Patch, inspiring others to lead with kindness and compassion every day 
• Helps spread the word among their peers about the importance if kindness and compassion in our community 

Criteria

The nominee has:

• An understanding of the feelings and experiences of both animals and humans and strives to alleviate suffering and promote well-being. 
• Consistently exhibit acts of kindness and generosity in the community towards animals and humans 
• They show genuine concern and compassion for the welfare of animals and humans, advocating for their rights and dignity. 
• Serve as an inspiration to others embodying the values of kindness, compassion, and empathy in their daily lives. 
• Must be 16 years of age or younger

Nomination Process

One award will be awarded each year. Nominations can be made by staff, volunteers of the OMHS, the general public and/or those who are linked to the OMHS and have a personal connection to the nominee during the nomination period. Nominees will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and a recipient will be selected.