Lothian family makes $1M donation to Regina Humane Society’s new home

The Regina Humane Society’s Animal Community Centre is closer to its $15-million fundraising goal after a $1-million donation from Pamela and E. Craig Lothian.

According to a media release, the society’s Almost Home Campaign now is at 93 per cent of its goal and has just $1 million left to go.

The Lothians’ donation follows other large financial gifts made this year, including one of $1.1 million from Gerda Fiesel in July and one of $500,000 from Dream Developments in May.

The humane society has been trying to secure funding for its new home in the Harbour Landing neighbourhood for 12 years now. Construction on the brand-new $28-million facility — which is to be twice the size of the humane society’s old home on Armour Road — began in May of 2022.

“The existing Regina Humane Society building is nearly 60 years old. Seeing the poor and overcrowded conditions of the animals in that facility and thinking that some of them would never leave there is heartbreaking,” Pamela Lothian said in the media release, which was issued Monday.

“We have enjoyed significant success in the energy sector in this province, and as a result our family is both able and pleased to provide financial support to improve the conditions for those animals, and for the people that have dedicated their careers to helping them,” Craig Lothian added.

In honour of the donation, the humane society announced the new facility’s Animal Services Centre and Adoption Lobby will be named after the Lothians.

“Craig and Pamela’s contribution fills us with immense gratitude,” Lisa Koch, the humane society’s executive director, said in the release. “Their generous support of the Animal Community Centre will allow us to broaden our initiatives, enhance community outreach, and ensure that every animal in need receives critical care.

“Their gift will have an enduring impact on animal welfare in our community for decades to come.”

The new Animal Community Centre is to put a roof over the heads of homeless pets, create an adoption gallery with home-like habitats for dogs and cats, include an education centre with multi-purpose classrooms for after-hours public use, and build a veterinary hospital to support humane society animals as well as providing spaying and neutering services to financially disadvantaged pet owners.

The centre also is to include a dog park, a dog-washing station, green spaces, a training centre and a gift shop.

More information on the RHS Animal Community Centre and the fundraising campaign can be found here.