About

Giving animals a second chance since 1998

The Cochrane & Area Humane Society provides food, shelter, medical care, and the opportunity for adoption to unwanted, surrendered, lost and unclaimed animals while promoting responsible pet ownership through its educational programs, rural spay/neuter programs, and public fundraising events.

A gorgeous bird that was adopted from Cochrane Humane.

The Cochrane & Area Humane Society was founded in 1998 as a collaboration between Tracy Keith, a volunteer at the time with Animal Services, and Charlene Ruttle, an Animal Control Officer. They worked together to improve the living conditions for impounded animals and recognized a need in the community for better animal sheltering. They organized an open meeting to gauge interest in forming a humane society and were pleasantly surprised at the turnout from residents, standing room only.

And just like that, the Cochrane Humane Society was born. Charlene remained with Animal Services, and Tracy headed up the new society. The society incorporated on March 10, 1998, received charitable status in February 1999, and now consists of an executive board of directors, a variety of skilled full-time and part-time employees, and many dedicated volunteers.

The Cochrane & Area Humane Society has been serving the City of Airdrie since 2016, when our staff and volunteers began making daily trips to the city to rescue stray and homeless cats. The shelter also serves Rocky View County West of Highway 2, MD of Big Horn, MountainView County, Redwood Meadows, Stoney Nation, and Tsuut’ina Nation.

The Cochrane & Area Humane Society staff and volunteers strive to find loving homes for all of the animals that come into their care. They work hard at socializing the shelter animals, offering playtime for the cats on a daily basis and even teach the dogs basic obedience and manners so that the transition into a new home is easy for everyone. The staff knows that when a well-socialized animal is placed in a good home, the result is a successful and permanent adoption. Learn more about how we work in our Philosophy Statement.

The Cochrane community continues to demonstrate their strong support of the Society through volunteerism, sponsorship, memberships and donations of cash, food and supplies. Our 2021 annual report and our 2021 audited financial statements show how donor dollars support our organization. On behalf of the animals, the shelter staff, and the volunteers, we want to extend a warm thank-you to all who have supported the Society over the years.

Our vision

Be a regional leader participating in initiatives that reduce indifference towards, suffering, and overpopulation of animals and inspire communities to value and treat animals with compassion and respect.

Our mission

Leading and educating communities in animal welfare by providing pets in need with shelter, rehabilitation, training and opportunity, and supporting people in responsible pet care—saving and changing lives.

A list of running statistics that Cochrane Humane has achieved and continues to accomplish.

Governance

The CAHS Board strives to maintain strong governance principles that enable CAHS management to provide high-quality care for animals in need and to increase public awareness and confidence in the Cochrane & Area Humane Society.

Orange paw design element

CAHS leadership team

Janine Rossler, Executive Director of Cochrane Humane & Area Society.
Janine Rossler
Executive Director

Janine Rossler

Janine Rossler has been the Executive Director of the Cochrane & Area Humane Society since the start of 2020; however, her involvement with the organization began in 1998 as a foster volunteer. In 2007, Janine joined the CAHS in a staff capacity and has held various roles within the organization over the years before stepping into the ED role.

Her love of this organization is deep, and she is a strong advocate in positive reinforcement and animal welfare being committed to the CAHS’ Vision and Mission. Graduating from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, Janine has always been keen to strengthen the bond and relationships between people and animals, focusing greatly on youth who are the future ambassadors for the animals.

Janine calls just west of Cochrane home where she resides with her family, her pets adopted from the CAHS and almost always a foster dog or litter of puppies needing socialization. Her second family is the CAHS team of staff and volunteers who Janine calls “the most incredible people I have the privilege of working with and who inspire me every day!”.

Cochrane and Area Humane Society's Operations Manager, Jamie Anton.
Jaimie Anton
Operations Manager

Jaimie Anton

Jaimie’s degree and background in resource management, combined with her love of animals, led her to the humane society after working in the field of conservation enforcement. Over the years, Jaimie has worked in various areas of the shelter before becoming the Operations Manager.

She enjoys working with both people and animals, particularly in the community outreach programs she oversees. Jaimie holds a certificate in Non-Profit Management and is involved in a number of other community organizations. Outside of the shelter, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, two teenagers, and her two dogs, Hubert and Tallulah von Doodle.