May 21, 2017: A Momentous Day for Animals

In May 2017, Uniondale, a small suburb of New York City, will host the final chapter of nearly 150 years of animal exploitation and cruelty — the last performance of Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus.

When it announced in 2015 it was phasing out elephants in its performances, Ringling Bros. cited "a mood shift among our consumers." Read more on the OHS blog.

February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month

OHS Officer Saves Racoon From Plummeting Onto the Ice Covered Rideau River

When a Good Samaritan spotted a racoon that appeared to be stuck in the middle of the St. Patrick Bridge on a cold and windy January morning, she knew to call the OHS for help.

An OHS Rescue and Investigation Service officer found a healthy but shivering raccoon clutching the bridge’s railing with his front paws and balancing his hind legs on a tiny ledge.

Cold and in distress, the raccoon was unable to make it off the bridge on his own.

The officer knew that attempting to pull him off the ledge with a catch pole might mean that the racoon would fall 50 feet to the ice covered Rideau River below, causing serious injuries and possibly death.

First the officer attempted to lure him of the railing with some food. When that didn't work, she slowly and carefully used a pole to coax the raccoon to crawl to the edge of the bridge.

After 25 minutes the raccoon had made it safely off the bridge and quickly ran up a nearby tree.

OHS agents are busy year-round rescuing injured, sick and distressed wildlife. If you see an animal in distress, call the OHS emergency line at 613-725-1532.