Animal shelter gets $50K donation in will of late Brampton resident

The will of a late Brampton resident included a generous donation of more than $50,000 to help support pets and their owners across the community.

The donation of $50,250 was left to the Brampton Animal Shelter in the last will and testament of late Brampton resident Isobel Agnes Brown, according to a motion passed at Brampton City Council last week.

Two instalments have been received, and the final instalment is anticipated before the end of 2026.

The funding is being directed to the city’s Helping Orphaned Pets in Emergencies (HOPE) Fund – a program that provides life-saving medical care for animals in need, along with support for families and their pets.

Donations of over $10,000 require council approval, which was granted last week.

The fund was started in 2001 to raise money for sick and injured animals so they can be rehabilitated and adopted into loving “forever homes,” with 100 per cent of donations used to provide extended medical care for animals.

In 2024, contributions to the HOPE Fund allowed Brampton Animal Services to provide critical medical care, including life-saving surgeries, to nearly 40 cats and dogs.

Brampton Animal Services has been struggling with capacity issues in recent years and a lower number of prospective pet owners coming to the shelter. There has also been an increase in abandoned puppies by what the city calls “backyard breeders” and city staff have been pushing for tougher animal protection rules across the province.

You can donate to the HOPE Fund by visiting www.brampton.ca.

The shelter is also accepting donations of other pet foods through its Emergency Pet Food Pantry program, which helps support pet owners with anywhere from one week to one month of pet supplies at a time.

Donations can be dropped off at the Brampton Animal Services shelter Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents can donate sealed, dry or canned pet food for cats, dogs and other small animals to the shelter at 475 Chrysler Dr., and pet owners in need can access the Emergency Pet Food Pantry by calling 905-458-5800, emailing [email protected], or submitting a form online.