Adult Pet Education
The Ottawa Humane Society's adult pet education program targets marginalized individuals about responsible pet ownership. Participants will gain a better understanding of basic care and behavioural problems, identification issues, spaying/neutering benefits, the importance of annual veterinary care, advantages of making an informed decision before acquiring a pet, budget realities, and the necessity of respecting community by-laws. The overall goal is to reduce animal overpopulation (thereby lowering stray and relinquishment rates) and neglect within a pet-owning client group affected by educational, economic and health (mental and physical) constraints.
Participants are chosen by the social service organizations involved in the partnership program. Pet owners must participate in educational workshops to be eligible for limited, one-time OHS-subsidized veterinary care for their companion animals.
Nine adult pet education sessions have been completed since March 2005. Our partners have included Options Bytown, Youth Services Bureau, the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Ottawa Independent Living Resource Centre and the Ottawa Salus Corporation. In total, 160 animals and 110 pet owners have benefited from the program!
*Please note that program delivery is dependent on funding availability. Social service agencies are welcome to inquire about future sessions. The most recent session took place at the Carlington Community Health Centre.
