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Barb Labelle and her family know all too well just how crowded the OHS shelter is. The single mom and her three teenage boys, Stuart 15, Justin 17, and Alex 19, have been fostering sick and high-risk cats and kittens since 2005. The boys gave up half of their space to create a fostering area in the family's basement and have been an active part of the family's fostering commitment. According to Barb, "The boys and I have seen firsthand the overcrowding at the OHS—the cat cages lined in the halls and the small space for animals, as well as staff. The building that is in use right now is old, small and not a good environment for animals or people."
 | Barb, Justin and Stuart are making some small sacrifices for tomorrow's animals. | After seeing the campaign information and the plans at the OHS Open House, the family decided that they wanted to be a part of the solution. By agreeing to forgo one of two monthly take-out nights and a few other extras, the Labelles have made a commitment of $42 a month over five years—totaling a generous $2,500 pledge to the campaign.
Barb wrote passionately about the importance of the campaign and her family's contribution. "Being able to help the thousands of animals that come through the doors of the Ottawa Humane Society, $42 a month going right back into our own community is a small price to pay. [It] benefits the animals which in turn also benefits the truly selfless wonderful work that all the staff at the OHS do every single day. Seeing animals find their forever home is what the Ottawa Humane Society is all about and we're so glad to be able to help with our contribution."
| New Naming Opportunities! | As the project plans come together, a handful of new naming opportunities have become available. OHS supporters have selected rooms, major medical equipment, benches and even trees to name. Some have selected opportunities in memory of beloved family members and pets. Pledges can be fulfilled over up to five years, so a naming gift is affordable to almost anyone.
Please visit the campaign website at www.breakingground.ca to see the new opportunities and call Anna Silverman at 613-725-3166 ext. 279 or e-mail her at annas@ottawahumane.ca to reserve your spot today.
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As readers know, our Breaking Ground Building Campaign was officially announced at our FurBall Gala less than a year ago. Of course, a lot of preparation went into this project before then. The need for a new facility has been recognized since the early 80's, but in 2005, the OHS developed a full needs assessment for the project. The search for a new location began in earnest in the summer of 2006, and it took a full two years to identify a suitable location, with the West Hunt Club purchase completed in December 2008. MHPM were hired as our project managers in April of 2009, and the firm assisted us with the process for selecting the prime architect—Barry Hobin and Associates—and assisted us in retaining specialist architect, George Miers. MHPM also assisted us in retaining some of the specialized consultants that are required to complete the project. Now the plans are over 50 percent complete and the pre-qualification for construction companies has begun. Stay tuned for further updates!