Giving Frequently – our donation to the Ontario SPCA
Since day one, giving has been one of the 18 ways in which we are, quite simply, different. This is because helping people will always be at the heart of what we do. And it’s the reason why giving generously, frequently and consistently is an essential part of the ALIGNED employee experience.
As a result, our social responsibility program was created at the same time ALIGNED Insurance was founded. It is, quite literally, a foundational part of our organization and a way in which we work hard to lead by example. In our communities, in our industry as well as across Canada.
Our people helping Canadian charities
We know that improving lives and advancing causes is what drives Canadian charities and non-profits. Connecting people to community, educational, environmental, food, healthcare and social programs is at the heart of what the not-for-profit sector does.
We also understand how deeply charities and non-profits resonate with people. In addition, we understand how important financial gifts are to helping a charity or non-profit keep delivering on their mission. This is why, each month, one of us selects a charity or non-profit organization that we are passionate about. And then we, as an organization, donate to that organization.
This month, Advocate Kelly Chambers selected the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society for an ALIGNED Insurance Giving Frequently donation and shares: “I’m a complete sucker for any animal that needs a home! I would take them all myself if I could.”
In their own words: How the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society helps animals
As a result of our commitment to Giving Frequently, a donation is being made to the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
In short, here is what this organization is doing to help support Canadians:
“The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is a registered charity, established in 1873. The Society and its network of communities facilitate and provide for province-wide leadership on matters relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals and the promotion of animal well-being.
Offering a variety of mission-based programs, including community-based sheltering, animal wellness services, provincial animal transfers, shelter health & wellness, high-volume spay/neuter services, animal rescue, animal advocacy, Indigenous partnership programs and humane education, the Ontario SPCA is Ontario’s animal charity. Working together we can make a difference in the lives of countless animals in need.”1
In addition, “the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society seeks to undermine cruelty and neglect and increase awareness about responsible pet ownership through the promotion of humane education and animal care. The complex topic of humane education is approached in two ways at the Ontario SPCA:
Humane Education Campaigns, which are aimed at educating the public and our Communities through targeted awareness campaigns.
Humane Education Programs, which are predominately geared towards youth to encourage and empower them to be a more informed, respectful and compassionate generation. Programming includes, but is not limited to, children’s camps, extracurricular programming and our elementary school curriculum, which is currently available for grades 1 -3.”2
The Ontario SPCA also facilitates a unique working cat program that supports homeless cats.”
Sometimes community cats end up in our centres and cannot be returned to their original colony site, for various reasons. Once these cats are deemed “unadoptable”, due to their lack of socialization, there are limited options for them. The Ontario SPCA believes in finding an alternative home for these cats, by giving them “jobs” as working cats!
These cats are healthy, sterilized, vaccinated, microchipped, ear tipped and in need of a new, non-traditional home environment. Some examples of these new homes we are looking for could include barns, stables, auto repair shops, woodworking shops, wineries, breweries, greenhouses/nurseries/garden centres, churches, storage facilities/warehouses.
Working cats are not suited to be your typical indoor pets and, as unsocialized animals, they have no desire to be lap cats. These are working cats, former street cats who are used to outdoor life, prefer minimal to no human contact, and who will happily tend to any mouse, mole or vermin problems for the small cost of a bowl of cat food and water set out daily, as needed veterinary care and shelter in a garage, barn etc.
And because we spay/neuter these cats before they leave the Ontario SPCA, adopters never need to worry about endless litters of kittens!”3
Social responsibility. It’s about more than just giving, it’s about people. We know it is our privilege to connect our clients with better business insurance. And we know that it is our social responsibility to help others in a number of ways.
Giving Frequently is one of those ways. We invite you to learn more about the organizations that ALIGNED team members have selected and we have supported over the years here.
How we are also Giving Generously…
In addition to Giving Frequently, each year, a portion of ALIGNED’s profits are donated to a registered Canadian charity. It is important to us that our clients are part of our social responsibility program. That’s why once each year, we invite each of our clients to propose a charity that is meaningful to them. And it’s why we also engage our clients in selecting the charity that receives our Giving Generously donation.
Curious about our story? Here’s what our founder Andrew Clark has to say about our accidental beginnings…
Our story started with an accident. Watch this 80-second video to see what inspired our President & CEO Andrew Clark to found ALIGNED Insurance here.
Source: ontariospca.ca
