Gas prices keep emergency van off road

Soaring gas prices have forced some cost-cutting measures for the Emergency Animal Protection Services (EAPS) team. The department has scaled back its use of its full-size rescue van due to the current price of fuel. Whenever possible, agents are using one of the Society’s two SUV vehicles, both of which get better mileage than the van (10L/100km versus 16L/100km).

The move means the careful allocation of resources so that each vehicle is outfitted with the proper equipment, but the smaller SUVs still offer space and air-conditioning for animals being transported. The rescue van is utilized when agents know they’ll be picking up a group of animals.

As with all the work the EAPS team does, none of the cost is funded by government or other animal welfare organization. To make a donation to support this important work, please click here.

  New provincial legislation good news for Ontario’s animals

The OHS is cautiously applauding the introduction of new provincial legislation designed to protect Ontario’s animals. Bill 50, the Provincial Animal Welfare Act (to amend the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act), will widen the definition of animal cruelty and allow investigators to bring more abusers to justice without having to resort to charges under the federal Criminal Code.

Bill 50 was introduced in the Ontario Legislature at the beginning of April. It has since passed second reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy last week. To learn more about Bill 50, click here.

  June is “Caring about Cats in our Community” month

One sure sign of spring at the OHS is the annual influx of stray cats. With over 230 cats currently in the building, we’re overrun with cages and there’s no sign of those numbers slowing down. In response to the housing crisis, we’ve named June “Caring About Cats in our Community” month and we’re introducing initiatives to bolster cat adoptions and to promote public awareness on cat safety and ownership.

Coinciding with the month is our involvement in a pilot project on cat URI (upper respiratory infection). The year-long study is being conducted by UC Davis with a goal of preventing and controlling URI in North American shelters. The results should allow us to keep more cats healthy and protected in the future.

  20th annual Wiggle Waggle Walkathon

It’s time to walk again! This September marks the 20th anniversary of our Wiggle Waggle Walkathon and plans are already underway to make this year’s event the best ever. We’re thrilled to have Chief Vern White of the Ottawa Police Service back as our honourary chair and both he and other city emergency service workers will join more than 1,000 walkers on Sunday, Sept. 7 at the Arboretum of the Central Experimental Farm to raise money for Ottawa’s animals. Get your running shoes ready and join us in September to help the animals!

For more information on the walkathon, please visit our website.

  A note about telemarketing

Over the coming weeks, some of you may receive phone calls from fundraisers who are seeking donations for the Ottawa Humane Society. Please be assured that these calls are legitimate and any money donated will go directly to help the animals in our care. While none of us looks forward to receiving a solicitation call at home, tele-fundraising campaigns are in fact effective. The OHS calls donors only once a year and these calls are a useful way of connecting with our community and helping the animals at the same time.