Santa Claus was busy posing for holiday pet photos at three locations, helping raise money for the OHS! Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help at our Santa Pet Pics event. Santa Pet Pics took place at the OHS facility for the first time ever and we look forward to hosting the event onsite again in the future.

Volunteers were kept very busy on Sunday, December 4 at the Ottawa Humane Society Open House.

Almost 600 people visited the OHS, filling the Adoption Centre and taking self-guided tours of the building.

The OHS Auxiliary and Critter Crafters sold baked goods and crafts in support of the OHS to a steady stream of visitors. We appreciate the time the ladies took to support the event and the contribution of all volunteers!

Volunteer Profile:
Sandra Smith, Foster Reception Volunteer

Sandra started holiday fostering for the OHS and has since invited both cats and dogs into her home. She fosters all kinds of animals, especially dogs needing socialization.

"Helping a dog go from being frightened of everything to being a confident little creature ready to go out into the real world is such a great feeling," she said.

Sandra supports the foster department staff with administrative tasks and helps keep the office humming. She updates the databases, sends emails and calls volunteer foster applicants to help get them lined up for orientation sessions. She puts together foster food packages, calls volunteers with surgery dates and also sends out requests for special needs fostering.

By helping out in the office, Sandra feels she is freeing up the foster staff to spend more time with volunteers and the animals in foster care.

"The foster department recruits foster families and then works at providing the best care for the animals in foster, " she said. "I maintain the paper work that keeps the foster department running."

Once again, several Ottawa families will be getting a new pet this holiday season, thanks to the OHS holiday delivery program. Staff and volunteers will be making special visits on Christmas morning or on one of the eight nights of Chanukah to deliver pets to their new forever homes.

The animals are all pre-adopted by parents looking to surprise their families with a furry friend over the holidays. If you are interested in delivering an animal on the morning of December 25, or on one of the eight nights of Chanukah, please contact the volunteer department, volunteer@ottawahumane.ca

Humane Education

After a delayed start, the Humane Education program is up and running! Our new Humane Education Coordinator, Ashley Dacey, is scheduling presentations and preparing volunteers for school visits.

We are inviting students and community groups to the new Education Centre for presentations which will no doubt lead to a very busy season! If you have experience teaching or working with young people, have your own animal, and are interested in learning more about Humane Education, please contact us or call 613-725-3166 ext 231.

Enrichment Care Plans

Volunteer dog walkers and obedience training volunteers are supporting the Behaviour Department by implementing enrichment care plans for dogs in the shelter. The plans are being used to notify staff and volunteers when extra care or time is needed to ensure a dog’s mental health is maintained and to help dogs better adapt to shelter life. Dog walkers will improve the quality of life for these dogs by providing training and ultimately helping them find their forever home.