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At the OHS Annual General Meeting on June 22, two long-time and committed volunteers were honoured for their outstanding volunteer work at the OHS. Gord Bellamy received the Eleanor Prowse Volunteer Service Award in recognition of his tireless devotion to the animals in our care. Since 2007, Gord has been volunteering as an early morning dog walker with the support of his wife and fellow volunteer, Fern. They walk every morning Monday to Friday in the rain, snow, or sunshine to ensure that each dog gets a walk. In addition to his dedicated dog walking, Gord provides weekly office support to our development department. The Siobhan Sheflin Award was given to Barb Labelle for her outstanding work as a foster volunteer. She has been fostering sick and high-risk cats for the OHS since finding a litter of kittens under a school bus in 2005. In the past year, Barb has fostered 49 cats and kittens! In addition to caring for cats in her home, Barb is active comfy cat volunteer. Thank you Gord and Barb for all of your hard work!
The Brightening Lives Program celebrated another successful year of visits with a pizza party in the park on May 27. Volunteers were encouraged to bring their visiting dogs with them to ensure a howling good time! Despite a series of challenges that threatened to dampen our 2009–10 schedule (including a Strep Zoo outbreak at our shelter and H1N1/Flu outbreaks at area facilities) we still succeeded in making 529 visits this season. While our volunteers and dogs enjoy their summer hiatus, we'll be meeting new recruits and drawing up the 2010–11 schedule. Thank you to all volunteers — of the two and four-legged varieties — who helped make our program a huge success again this year! If you're interested in becoming part of the Brightening Lives Program and you have your own animal, please contact Krishna at 613-725-3166 ext. 264 or by e-mail at brighteninglives@ottawahumane.ca.
Kiersten has experience coordinating volunteers in non-profit organizations and she strongly identifies with the principles of community work and volunteerism. She has volunteered in a number of areas including roles a youth group leader, support worker at the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa, and as a volunteer overseas with the Canada World Youth Exchange. Kiersten describes volunteering as being an important part of her life. "Being a volunteer is a very important aspect of who I am. It gives me the opportunity to serve my community and be an active citizen, as well as enrich my own life." Kiersten's hours of work are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. She can be reached via telephone at 613-725-3166 ext. 278 or by e-mail at volunteer_assistant@ottawahumane.ca. Please drop by the volunteer office and welcome Kiersten to the team!
It's one of those hot and humid summer days. Environment Canada is cautioning people to stay cool, and you are scheduled for your weekly dog walking shift. While it is important to for you to stay cool and hydrated, it is equally important for the dogs as well. They can get heatstroke too! Heatstroke results when hot/humid weather causes a dog's body temperature to increase to dangerous levels. While leaving a dog in a hot vehicle is one of the most common causes of heatstroke, exercising dogs in hot/humid weather and dogs left outside without access to shade can result in this life threatening condition, as well. The following signs may indicate that an animal is in distress and may be suffering from heatstroke: On hot/humid days, please shorten walks and avoid any form of strenuous exercise with the dogs. If you notice the signs of heatstroke during your dog walking shift, please contact one of the OHS staff members immediately. A dog with heatstroke needs to be seen by our veterinarian as soon as possible to start treatment.
If you are NOT helping out at this year's walkathon, please consider joining us on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010 at the new location for our 22nd annual IAMS Wiggle Waggle Walkathon. This year's walk promises to be the biggest and best ever as we move to a new and exciting location that will allow our fundraising event to grow. Walk central will be on NCC property across from the RA Centre on Riverside Drive. With a larger site, new and easy routes along the parkway and lots of free parking, we know that the change in venue will be a hit with both our human and animal participants. Maps with directions to parking and walk site are now on our website. Please register your team online and raise pledges by e-mailing your friends, family and co-workers! You can also download a pledge sheet from our website and make the personal ask. |
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It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Diva, a hard working and much loved member of the Brightening Lives program. Diva was a loving companion to OHS Brightening Lives volunteer, Melinda. She began working with the Brightening Lives program in 2004 at the golden age of seven. Diva brought joy to the people she visited and the volunteers she worked with. Our thoughts are with Melinda and her family.
It was a beautiful Saturday on May 29, but that didn't prevent a group of TELUS workers from generously offering their time to help the animals at the OHS. For the 5th Annual TELUS Day of Service, the group tirelessly cleaned the OHS to help make the environment better for the animals. Thank you TELUS!
We are looking for volunteers with photography experience with the following qualifications to take photos of the animals in adoptions:
• Morning weekday availability
If you meet the listed qualifications and are interested in helping to make the adoption animals look their best, please contact Erin at volunteer@ottawahumane.ca
We need your help around the OHS premises! Are you handy? Do you like "fix-it" tasks? We are looking for volunteers who are physically comfortable with lifting and moderate maintenance tasks. We require volunteers who have flexible hours and are happy to work with an on-call or flexible schedule. For more information, please contact Erin at volunteer@ottawahumane.ca
Please help us stay connected with you. We need your up-to-date contact information to keep you informed of what's happening at the OHS. To update your information please contact Kiersten at 613-725-3166 ext. 278 or by e-mail.
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The OHS volunteer department is pleased to welcome Kiersten as our new Volunteer Customer Service Representative for the upcoming months. Her role includes assisting with administrative duties in the volunteer department and providing support to the OHS volunteer community.
