The OHS emergency team got some good news last week when an Ottawa couple, charged with cruelty against 31 sick and injured cats living in their one-bedroom apartment, pled guilty in a provincial courtroom.

The charges were laid in mid-December, marking the second time in as many weeks that the OHS removed multiple cats from local residences. The result was more than 60 cats arriving at the shelter, all in various states of distress, illness or injury. Finding space in our already-cramped building proved to be a strain on our limited resources, but our staff rallied to care for the cats. While sadly the prognosis for most of the animals wasn't good, we take some comfort in the court's decision to prohibit the couple from owning or caring for cats over the next five years.

Please help fund these critical investigations by making a gift.

Young Gideon arrived at the OHS in the summer as a stray dog. His gentle nature meant he was perfect for adoption, but soon after his neuter surgery, he came down with kennel cough in our crowded shelter. He moved into a foster home to recover, and it was there that we discovered Gideon was suffering from severe leg pain that affected his ability to walk. The vet diagnosed Gideon with a condition where blood wasn't reaching his leg bone, causing much discomfort. Surgery in the OHS clinic helped heal Gideon of the hurt, and now he's recovering and ready to play.

Find out how you can help animals like Gideon through the OHS Buddy & Belle Fund.

Many community veterinarians have been lending a hand in our clinic over the past few weeks, helping us to fill the gap between the temporary leave of our full-time vet and her replacement early next month. We're fortunate to have such talented and dedicated members of the veterinary medical field working on our animals. Thanks to their generosity, our cats and dogs — and many small animals — continue to be spayed or neutered, and undergo dental procedures or other surgeries to make them more adoptable.

The Ottawa Animal Advocate is one way for us to communicate with you, our OHS supporters, on a timely basis. We use the e-bulletin to bring you breaking stories from the shelter, tales of animals who need your help, or updates and developments in the world of animal welfare across our community and beyond.

If you have friends or family who would like to read about our work helping Ottawa's animals, please forward this e-mail. Or better yet, encourage people you know to have their own copy delivered by signing up here!

Find your perfect match this February with someone who will offer lots of unconditional love. Welcoming a new pet to your life could be the best relationship decision you'll ever make!

It's almost FurBall time again! Don your best '80s look and get set to dine and dance Dynasty style at our annual gala for the animals on March 27. Purchase tickets here.

Looking for a Valentine's gift to help the animals? Warm Hearts raffle tickets could be the answer. Prizes include a Caribbean cruise, a trip to Las Vegas and a $500 shopping spree from HBC. Get yours today!