In April 2025, the world lost someone who was a strong advocate for animals, someone who greeted every person with kindness, a smile, and a laugh that all who knew her remember with joy. The Gillian Gratton Memorial Fund was created in memory of the good work and care that Gillian put into the world. To honour her memory, New Hope Dog Rescue created a fund dedicated to helping families stay together.

Gillian was a dog lover and a friend to each of us. You would be hard-pressed to find her without a smile on her face, a warm greeting for all, and a treat in hand for any furry friends who came to her store. She was a person who made a positive impact on every single being she met. Her kind heart, smile, and giggle were all given freely and without hesitation.

In her memory, we are privileged to help alleviate the stress of unexpected veterinary bills so families can stay together with their dogs. The goal of the Gillian Gratton Memorial Fund is to keep families together, to strengthen the human-animal bond through the advocacy and referrals of our partner vets.

In the first year of this program, New Hope Dog Rescue helped with the spays of two dogs, providing wellness care and DAPP vaccines as well. We also assisted with a dental, a diagnostic, and a cherry eye repair. One special pup received the surgery needed to repair megaesophagus so she could stay with her family and live a good life. We have been honoured to help these families stay intact and to help these dogs continue living healthy, happy lives.

When you make a donation to the Gillian Gratton Memorial Fund, you help carry forward the kindness that Gillian shared so freely with everyone she met. Each gift helps ensure that dogs receive the care they need and that families don’t have to face the pain of losing a beloved companion because of unexpected veterinary costs.