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 With just days to go until the federal election, now is the time to press candidates on how they intend to better protect Canada’s animals. Currently, national animal protection laws are ineffective and the legislation has essentially remained unchanged since 1892.
The present legislation contains serious loopholes that prevent the prosecution of some heinous cases of animal abuse. It’s also virtually impossible to convict even severe cases of animal neglect, and the legislation offers little protection for wildlife or strays.
Before heading to the polls on Oct. 14, ensure you’re well informed about where your candidates stand on animal welfare issues. For more information, and to see a list of questions you can pose to politicians, click here. |
Recent sentences good news for OHS |
 The OHS is applauding two recent court rulings with precedent-setting sentences for cases of animal cruelty in our community.
On Sept. 16, Richard Holstein was sentenced to six months in jail after he pled guilty to six charges against him, including cruelty to animals. Mr. Holstein was charged following a July break-and-enter. During the incident, one cat was beaten to death with a wooden bedrail, while another cat was thrown from a third-floor balcony.
On Aug. 28, Steven Gagnon was sentenced to 60 days of house arrest, and was ordered to pay $500 restitution to the OHS, and received two years probation and prohibition from owning animals. Mr. Gagnon was originally charged in 2006 for failing to provide adequate care to nine Shepherd-Husky mix puppies he had been keeping in his basement.
Both sentences will provide the OHS with much-needed precedent to fight future cases of animal cruelty and abuse in our community. 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.
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 Ottawa City Council’s recent decision not to allow a pilot project that would see animals on buses goes against recommendations from the OHS supporting integration of companion animals in our community.
On Aug. 20, OHS Executive Director, Bruce Roney, presented to the city’s Transit Committee. In his speech, Mr. Roney stressed that allowing animals on city buses would allow better access to the shelter for those people coming to adopt a new companion, look for a lost animal, drop off a stray or surrender a pet.
Mr. Roney also expressed concern that a lack of animal-friendly transportation is resulting in more animals let loose or abandoned, rather than being brought to the OHS. He urged the city do support responsible animal ownership, by allowing access on public transportation to pet owners who must take their animals to the veterinarian or to visit the city’s spay/neuter clinic.
Ultimately, the city decided against instituting a pilot project at this time, but we remain optimistic the issue might be re-addressed in the future.
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 Summer may be over, but the seasonal influx of cats at the OHS continues unabated. Since the weather turned warm, we’ve been inundated with stray cats and litters of kittens, bringing the average number of cats in our building over the past several months to over 400. Many of these cats are sick or not ready for adoption, so we’ve added staff to our foster program in an effort to get as many of these animals out of the shelter and into volunteer homes until they’re ready for adoption.
Space crunches have also forced some of the cats upstairs to the offices on the second floor. The “office cats” have been nursing moms or litters of unwell kittens, often requiring special care and treatment. By caring for some of these cats on-site and outside of our already crowded cat rooms, we’re able to free up space and spare some foster volunteers potential distress for the cats that aren’t able to recover.
In our Adoption Centre, we’ve also introduced efforts to boost cat adoptions through our monthly promotions that offer a $25 reduction in the adoption fee on select cats. For more information on October’s “catalogue” of colour promotion, click here. |
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Fall is the season to open your heart and give to the OHS through the United Way of Ottawa. Each year, thousands of employees and residents contribute through payroll deductions or special events and chose to direct their United Way gifts to the animals in our care.
If you’re interested in directing your 2008-09 United Way gift, please fill in your United Way payroll deduction form with the Ottawa Humane Society name and charitable number 123264715 RR0001.
Special thanks to everyone who supported our 20th annual IAMS Wiggle Waggle Walkathon. This year’s event was our largest ever, raising $148,000 for the animals! The walk couldn’t happen without the help of numerous volunteers who work throughout the year organizing details, or without the support of hundreds of walkers who raise pledges from friends, family and co-workers. Thanks to these combined efforts, we’re able to help the almost 11,000 animals that come through our doors each and every year.
Help the animals by coming to the OHS Auxiliary auction on Oct. 18 at Carleton Memorial United Church, 740 Melfa Crescent (off Prince of Wales Drive). Check our website for a list of auction items, and be sure to stop by the sales tables for crafts, baking and jewellery. Doors open at 2 p.m. for viewing and the auction begins at 2:30 p.m.
Crafts will also be on sale at Carlingwood Mall Nov, 21 and 22, Westgate Mall Nov, 27 and 28, Crystal View Lodge, Dec. 10 and Barrhaven Lodge, Dec. 16.
Attention teachers! Our new season of humane education presentations are underway and our volunteers and animals would love to visit your classroom. Humane education is a great way to teach students about responsible animal ownership and dog-bite prevention. For more information on presentations geared for students in JK to Grade 8, or our new high school program, click here or e-mail.
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