Memorable Adoption Stories of 2011

We care for thousands of animals at the Ottawa Humane Society each year, and each one has a unique story.

Whether they were abandoned, surrendered or rescued – how they came to us doesn’t matter. What matters is the support you have provided to help us give them a second chance.

Thanks to you, we were able to find new, forever homes for thousands of animals in 2011. These happy endings motivate and inspire us to continue on in our sometimes difficult work. We want to share with you a few of last year's most memorable adoption stories — and thank you again for everything you've done to help these animals and others in our community.

War Museum Puppies

It was the worst snowstorm of the year. The roads were snow-covered and barely driveable, but a Good Samaritan braved the storm to help rescue 11 puppies.

Someone had abandoned two boxes containing the German Shepherd mix puppies, approximately six weeks old at the time. They were found near a dumpster at the Canadian War Museum.

When the little bundles of fur arrived at the OHS, the vet examined them to ensure they were healthy, and staff and foster volunteers teamed up to care for them.

While they had a stormy start in life, the puppies were adopted into forever homes where they can have a serene and happy future.

Samwise

Samwise, a Lionhead rabbit, had the shortest stay of any of the animals at the new Ottawa Humane Society. He was moved from the old shelter on June 23 and was adopted as soon as the doors opened at the new facility on June 24.

Darcy McKenzie spotted Samwise's picture on the Ottawa Humane Society website and drove from Toronto to ensure that she could adopt him right away. After calling and emailing the OHS Adoption Centre from Toronto, Darcy arrived in the morning as the doors opened to complete her application and drove back to Toronto with Samwise the same day.

Armin

If is wasn't for a passer-by who noticed Armin limping, the orange tabby cat wouldn't now have a new forever home to relax and enjoy.

Armin was found in May with a noticeable limp. The finder, concerned for Armin’s leg and unable to find his owner, brought him to the Ottawa Humane Society.

The OHS veterinarian quickly determined Armin, then eight months old, had a severely broken leg. He was immediately prescribed pain medication to make him feel better. A consult with an orthopedic surgeon determined that due to the complexity of the break, his leg had to be amputated.

Armin underwent two surgeries in one day: neutering and the leg amputation. He came down with an upper respiratory infection (URI) a few days later, so he was sent to a foster volunteer’s home to recuperate in comfort.

Armin loves to cuddle and he got a lot of love and attention during his time at the OHS.
He learned to manage with only three legs and was adopted into his new forever home on July 9, 2011.

Muskoka Dogs

In April 2011, the OHS responded to a province-wide OSPCA request for assistance and rescued 34 terrier-mix dogs from a backyard breeder in the Muskoka region.

Rescue and Investigation Services agents and another OHS staff member helped in the removal of more than 100 dogs housed in a cramped, filthy shed.

The OHS team then transported 24 adult dogs and 10 puppies to the Ottawa shelter, where the dogs were examined and treated by OHS veterinarians and veterinary technical staff.

The dogs’ fur was matted with dirt and feces, and many were underweight and under socialized. Staff at the OHS worked together to shave and bathe the dogs before they were assessed for adoption.

Many of these dogs were placed with foster families—the puppies and their mothers until they were old enough to be considered for adoption, and to help with their socialization.

None of the dogs were housetrained and many were not used to human companionship, which is typical in hoarding situations.

With extra care from foster volunteers, the dogs were then made available for adoption and went to loving forever homes.

 

 

Demi

Cats and cows don't always get along! Poor Demi was brought to the OHS after her tail had been stepped on by her bovine friend.

The OHS vet cleaned and bandaged Demi's tail and put her on antibiotics as a portion of her tail needed to be amuptated. Unfortunately, while waiting for her surgery, Demi came down with URI and the tail amputation had to be postponed. This meant her tail bandage had to be changed frequently while she continued to receive pain medication as well as treatment for the URI.

Demi finally recovered from the URI and a tail amputation was scheduled. The surgery was a success, and Demi recovered in foster care before being adopted into her forever home, where her new owners say "She is the best cat ever!"

Peko

Peko is an adorable two-month old Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua-mix puppy who was the victim of rough play by a larger dog. His eye was so severely damaged in the scuffle that it needed to be surgically removed.

Peko’s owner was unable to afford the cost of surgery and treatment, and decided to surrender the puppy to the OHS, where he was able to receive the help he needed. The OHS veterinarian performed surgery to remove Peko’s right eye and, despite his injury and pain, he responded quickly.

Brave Peko was on medication and under the watchful eye of the OHS clinic, but not for long. He recovered quickly and was adopted into a loving forever home.