The OHS applauds the first provincial conviction and sentencing of a case involving dogs being left in locked hot cars.

On August 11, Mehrbanoo Hejri Mashahad pled guilty to charges of causing distress to an animal under the Ontario SPCA Act and was sentenced to a $200 fine and one year’s probation for leaving her two five-month old poodles locked in her car for 36 minutes while she went shopping. The outside temperature was 27 degrees. The inside temperature of the vehicle, taken by an OHS Rescue and Investigations Services Agent, registered 44 degrees.

Mashahad unlocked the car when police tracked her down inside the store. Both dogs were in distress, running from door to door in the car in an attempt to escape. They recovered after Ottawa Police Services and OHS Rescue and Investigations Services arrived, rehydrated them with water, and provided shelter within the OHS air-conditioned vehicle.

Although legally mandated to enforce the animal cruelty provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada, the OHS does not receive any government funding or funding from any animal welfare group to perform this essential work.You can help by making a gift to help protect the animals.

Two weeks after moving into the new OHS building, we were at capacity due to sudden and significant increases in the number of animals coming in. On July 11, 2010 there were 78 dogs in the old building. On the same day this year, we had 120.

Now, when intake numbers are high, we’re prepared. Our new building has 5 spacious dog holding rooms with 8 kennels per room for lost or stray dogs that are waiting to be claimed, or waiting for testing or treatment prior to becoming available for adoption. These holding rooms are flexible spaces designed not only for the comfort and enrichment of the dogs, but to quickly provide extra space when intake numbers spike. A guillotine dividing door in each kennel allows us to turn a kennel space for one dog into a divided space for two in urgent situations.

Additional features that enrich dogs while they’re in our care include large outdoor dog runs outside each holding room; plenty of natural and reflected light in the corridors and kennels; and resilient epoxy floors that help prevent the spread of disease.

Unlike in our old facility, where increases in intake numbers often compromised animal health, at our new shelter we can respond quickly and ensure all the animals are healthy and happy as they wait for their owners to claim them, or await new families and forever homes.

Pre-registration and kit pickupfor the 23rd
Iams Wiggle Waggle Walkathon begins Thursday, Sept. 8.

Save time and beat the crowds on
walk day by pre-registering at one
of the following sessions.

Pre-registration and kit pickup at:

Thursday, Sept. 8
Billings Bridge Shopping Centre, 5 pm – 9 pm
Ottawa Humane Society, 245 West Hunt Club Rd. 5 pm – 7 pm

Friday, Sept. 9
Ottawa Humane Society, 245 West Hunt Club Rd. 4 pm – 7 pm

Saturday, Sept. 10
Walk site – Riverside Drive across from RA Centre. Noon – 4 pm

Sunday, Sept. 11
Wiggle Waggle Walkathon Day! NCC property at Riverside Dr. across from Billings Bridge Shopping Centre and the RA Centre. Registration 8:30 am – 10:30 am

Want to save money on your next home improvement project and support the OHS? Head over to Rona for a free 5% discount card. You’ll save 5% on any purchase and Rona will send a donation of up to 5% to the OHS. Download one at www.ottawahumane.ca or pick one up at the OHS facility or any of the two local Rona stores. This promotion could save you $100 on a $2,000 fence, and helps the animals in our care!

Calling all groomers!
The OHS is looking for volunteer groomers at our new facility. The building now has a fully equipped grooming room, table, tub, and supplies so animals can be spruced up onsite before heading to the Adoption Centre.  Tell your groomer or anyone you know who has professional grooming experience with cats and dogs, about this volunteer opportunity! Apply through
the OHS website www.ottawahumane.ca or contact the Volunteer Department at volunteer@ottawahumane.ca.