In 1992, with the help of some local friends interested in wildlife rehabilitation, plus the cooperation of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF), Bear With Us was founded by Mike McIntosh.

All began with the first bear in April 1992, a big old blind bear from a zoo in Eastern Ontario. This bear named Mishoomish remained at Bear With Us until his passing. Since its inception, Bear With Us has assisted 570+ orphaned and injured bears return to the wild.

The Gordon and Patricia Gray Animal Welfare Foundation helps Bear With Us rehabilitate, and provide a permanent home to a select few bears that cannot return to the wild.