Ottawa Municipal Animal Shelter
The OHS cares for injured, lost and homeless animals that are brought to the municipal animal shelter by Municipal By-Law Officers, the general public and/or picked up by our Emergency Animal Services. The number of animals we care for show that this is a valuable and necessary service for the Region.
Ottawa animal control officers deliver animals that are roaming at large. These animals are held in the Municipal Animal Shelter for a period of three full business days (not counting day of entry, Sundays or Statutory Holidays) in order to allow their owners time to claim them.
When an animal is delivered to the shelter and claimed by their owner there are license and release fees. The fees vary depending on the length of time the animal has been in the municipal animal shelter. Prior to claiming a pet these fees must be paid. It is necessary to bring current and valid identification as well as proof of ownership with you to claim your pet. For more information, please contact us.
For information on the City of Ottawa's Animal Care and Control Bylaws, please visit the city's website at www.ottawa.ca. The City of Ottawa Spay/Neuter Clinic is located at 26 Concourse Gate. Their phone number is 613-798-8970.
Lost Animals
The OHS cares for thousands of lost and stray animals each year. Cats make up the largest of our stray population. Pet owners who have lost their pet must visit the OHS as soon as possible to see if their animal is here and file a lost report and leave a picture. If your pet has microchip identification (tattoo, licence and/or I.D.) this will make it easier for the shelter staff to locate you and let you know that your pet is in our shelter.
Visit our Lost and Found section.
Unclaimed Animals
If an animal is not claimed after being held for the mandatory stray period of three full business days, the animal is then assessed by our Temperament Evaluator to determine suitability for adoption.
The Animal Health Technician verifies that the animal is in good health and the temperament evaluator ensures that the animal is of sound temperament. When the animal is considered suitable for placement, it is transferred to our Adoption Centre so that it can be adopted into a responsible loving new home.
