Thank you to everyone who helped during our burst pipes crisis |
 It was two nights before Christmas and all through the building, pipes were bursting and animals were chilling...
The cold temperatures we experienced just before the holidays, combined with some heating issues in the shelter, caused a pipe to burst in our in-house clinic on Dec. 23, 2008. We worked hard to get as many animals as possible out of the building where they could be warm and dry. Thank you to all the folks who fostered animals for us over the Christmas holidays. We were able to place 173 animals in foster homes between Dec. 20 and Jan. 5.
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 Foster training for dog foster volunteers
"Everything you need to know about fostering dogs but were afraid to ask" takes place Feb. 25, from 6–7:30 p.m. This training session is available for all volunteers — those who already foster and those who are thinking about it. Please e-mail us to register.
Level one training for dog walkers
The next Level One training session takes place Feb. 26 from 6–7:30 p.m. Please e-mail to register, as spaces are limited.
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 The OHS Brightening Lives Animal Visits program brings animal companionship to local residents of hospitals, long-term care facilities, and shelters. We currently visit 53 facilities, with 74 volunteers, 55 dogs, and seven cats. This year we’ve made 566 visits, bringing the benefits of animal companionship to those in our community who might not otherwise get to experience it.
If know of any facilities that might enjoy a regular visit from one of our teams, please let us know.
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 Last fall we implemented a temperament test for cats in an effort to bring more felines into our Brightening Lives program. So far we’ve assessed five cats, three of which have become part of our roster of animal visitors. If you’re interested in having your cat join our team, please contact us and we’ll let you know the process for getting involved.
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Classroom volunteers needed |
 We are looking for volunteers to help out in Humane Education. If you would enjoy presenting to children, are available during the day, and have a vehicle, please e-mail us. We would love to have you attend an orientation and join our Humane Education team! Training is provided.
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 This is a picture of Pippin the foster kitten, taken while he was living with Shaggy, Darcy and Mary. Pippin had a bit of a rough spell just before Christmas, but with loving care from big brother Shaggy, he recovered well. Pippin was adopted by a loving family soon after this photo was taken. Thanks to Mary, Shaggy and Darcy (not shown) for helping Pippin get a great start in life!
Over 1,850 animals benefited from foster care in 2008.
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Publication note
Due to resource issues, we will be moving to a bi-monthly publication schedule for the Volunteer Connection beginning in April of 2009. While we appreciate the feedback provided in our reader survey several months ago, it has become unfeasible for us to produce this bulletin each and every month.
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Volunteers of the Month
A combined thank you this month to Fern and Gord Bellamy, who have been faithful OHS volunteers for the past two years. Both Fern and Gord are active in our dog walking program, coming almost every weekday morning. Gord also lends a hand every Monday in the development office and regularly drops of mail for us at the post office. Thank you, Fern and Gord, for all you do!
Warm Hearts Raffle
Check our website for information about the great prizes in our 2009 lottery. The final draw will take place on Feb. 16. Thank you to all the volunteers who packaged and tracked the tickets for us.
Dog walker schedule update
Thank you to all the dog walkers who have notified us of their availability. Scheduling dog walkers has been a very successful initiative, and we are seeing more walkers on a more consistent basis, benefiting our dogs. Be sure to check the Volunteer Room next month for a binder that will contain the most up-to-date schedule information. |
