In 1965 Mr. T. I. Hughes, then General Manager of the Ontario Humane Society proposed to Mr. P. R. U. Stratton of Vancouver that an independent foundation be established in Canada for the purpose of providing an opportunity for funds to be held and used for the sole purpose of supporting, sponsoring and encouraging animal welfare work throughout Canada. Mr. Stratton is widely respected as a generous benefactor of the animal welfare movement.

Mr. Hughes served as Secretary/Manager of the Vancouver Branch of the British Columbia S.P.C.A. and later as Executive Director of the British Columbia S.P.C.A. from 1954-1962. He was appointed General Manager of the Ontario S.P.C.A. (Ontario Humane Society) in 1962 and later became Executive Vice President and, finally, President. He retired in 1989.

Encouraged by the support of Mr. Stratton, Mr. Hughes contacted a number of individuals who had held, or who were then holding office, in the animal welfare movement in different parts of Canada.

On October 29, 1965 a meeting of the Organizing Committee was held in Toronto. The Committee approved a Memorandum of Agreement and decided to make an application for incorporation to the Federal Government. Letters Patent were issued on the 3rd November, 1965, incorporating the Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada as a corporation under the provisions of the Canada Corporations Act.

The first meeting of the Trustees was held in Toronto on the 23 April 1966.

The original Officers and Trustees were:

President – Mr. Gordon C. Trent, Toronto, Ontario

Vice President – Mr. William Leach, Victoria, British Columbia

Honorary Treasurer – Mr. Cameron Webster, Victoria, British Columbia

Honorary Secretary – Mr. Tom I. Hughes*, Toronto, Ontario

Directors:

Mr. Peter Armour, Woodbridge, Ontario

Mr. Hugh McCuaig, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Dr. Fredrick McGrand, Fredericton, New Brunswick

Mr. Russell T. Payton, Toronto, Ontario

Mr. Alvin Hunt, Montreal, Quebec

Mr. P.R.U. Stratton, Vancouver, British Columbia

*Tom Hughes founded the AWFC in 1965 thanks to major benefactor Peter Stratton. Mr. Hughes remained with the Foundation as President for the next 35 years. The role of President then became a term-limited, elected position.