Over 20 years ago, Kathy Asling found an 8-week-old puppy on the street. She immediately called every possible link to the pup's owners and ran an advertisement in her local newspaper. A reporter who saw the ad called Kathy to write a cover story. Although no owner was ever located, she received almost 200 calls to adopt the puppy. She instinctively screened prospective adopters and conducted home visits. Kathy decided on a home but had names and numbers of several families she felt would provide a loving home to a dog. The next day she visited the local shelter and started 'match making' by contacting the people who had called her looking to adopt.
Identifying the need for someone to step up and save the lives of good dogs from being put to death, Kathy and her daughter created the name The Animal Guardian Society (TAGS). In March of 1987 the first Durham Region based rescue was formed.
Kathy set out to meet with individuals who could mentor and guide her into developing a program that would operate with integrity and ethics that would promote humane education to our community and find homes for displaced animals.
Perhaps the most difficult task in the early days was creating relationships with Animal Controls. Rescue in those days was a foreign word, and the constant struggle to save animals from death and research labs became a task that proved to be emotionally and physical draining. It soon became evident that this was not the job for one person. Kathy needed help.
Now 21 years later and thousands of dogs successfully re-homed, she has yet to stop! Kathy and her corps of volunteers work closely with animal shelters, humane societies, and the community to improve the lives of canine citizens.
Upcoming Events
Annual Corn Roast & BBQ
Date: Saturday August 30, 2008
Time: 2:00PM
Prices: $15.00/Adults, $6.00/Children 7 and under,
2 and under free.
View our Flyer here.
Contact us for tickets and info.
905-263-TAGS(8247)
Email: tagsinfo@yahoo.ca
Value Statement
The Animal Guardian Society volunteers are the most valued assets of our charity. They are essential participants with a shared responsibility in fulfilling our mission. Every volunteer is responsible for adhering to practices that are in accordance with applicable laws and to a code of ethics that reflect the highest standards of individual behaviour. Our organizational structure encourages volunteer involvement, open communication, teamwork and cooperation.
Vision Statement
- To sustain the operation of our program and continue to serve and protect the animal citizens of our community.
- To never see any animal abused, abandoned or left unwanted.
- To continue to provide medical care and training to animals in our care.
- To construct a shelter that will provide safe housing for animals until permanent homes are found.
- To ensure that our shelter offers a centre for learning and education to our community.
- To see no animal put to death in municipally run shelters because they are overlooked or due to lack of space.
- To encourage those that profess their love and dedication to animals to take a stand to educate and participate in the cause of rescue.
- To see the day when rescue will no longer be necessary, as all animals will have safe loving homes.
Surrendering A Pet
We appreciate that giving up a pet for adoption can be a very difficult and emotional experience. Our volunteers take every effort to ensure that a safe and suitable home is found.
Our primary goal is working with families as a “team”. Together we can be confident that your pet will have a long and happy life with its new family. Read more...
Adopting A Rescue
Pets can enrich your life. When you adopt a pet from an Animal Welfare organization, you are saving a life. You are discouraging the indiscriminate breeding of dogs for which there are simply not enough homes.
Adopting a rescue dog for your family presents a wonderful opportunity to teach your children basic values of compassion and caring, and also about the value of second chances.
Read more…