Progress from March to May 2026
Your Life-Saving Impact
Because you care, this spring thousands of animals received care, loving families stayed together and compassion grew across generations.
Impact Reports
No Matter How Long It Takes, You’re Here for the Animals
Every day at the OHS, animals arrive needing safety, medical care, time to heal and a second chance. Some stay with us for only days. Others need weeks, sometimes even longer, before they are ready to find their forever family.
No matter how long it takes, one thing never changes: You’re there for them.
No matter how many cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, Guinea pigs, hamsters and more seek refuge at the shelter, you ensure we can love and care for each as if they were the sole animal in our care.
Each animal has a unique path to their second chance. Newborn kittens need at least eight weeks to wean off their mother, grow strong, and receive essential veterinary care that sets them up for a healthy, happy life in their forever home.
Some dogs spend an incredible length of time in our care. One recent long-stay pup was Caliga, a gorgeous Labrador retriever mix who spent months at the shelter before she was adopted. Caliga needed special support to help her with behaviour, a loving foster home where she could feel completely relaxed, and time to find the right adopter who could support her.
Thanks to you, there is no time limit on care for adoptable dogs like Caliga. We will search as long as needed to find a home where a pet can thrive.
And your impact reaches far beyond the shelter walls.
Thanks to you, we’ve made more spay/neuter and wellness clinic appointments available for pets whose people typically wouldn’t be able to access this care and provided emergency pet food to keep pets with their families when financial hardship strikes. You’ll read more about your impact on pets and their people on page four.
Because of you, people are discovering their voice as animal advocates. Volunteers are giving their time and talents in record numbers. Local businesses are helping make Ottawa safer and more welcoming for pets.
And because of you, we are building towards something even bigger.
We are planning a tomorrow that includes a new, non-profit Community Veterinary Clinic that will help even more families access the care their pets need before a crisis arises.
That is what compassion looks like today and tomorrow.
With your support, a kinder and stronger future is possible for Ottawa’s animals and the people who love them.
Thank you for being here for the animals no matter how long it takes.
Read on to see your impact in detail.
Sharon Miko
President & CEO
Rhaenyra’s New Lease on Life
Rhaenyra came to the OHS needing life-saving surgery. Her previous owner had intended to breed her, but her first pregnancy faced complications and she started showing signs of pyometra, a dangerous infection of the uterus. She was surrendered to the OHS just in time.
Our veterinary team performed emergency spay surgery to save her life.
Rhaenyra recovered wonderfully and quickly found her forever home.
It’s thanks to you, Rhaenyra found safety, healing and a second chance in her time of need.
Thank you for being with us for the animals who need you most.
We Need Your Help to Build a More Compassionate Tomorrow
We have just launched our Compassion Campaign to make pet care more accessible in Ottawa and keep more pets with the people who love them. We will be renovating a building in Vanier to create the non-profit Community Veterinary Clinic. The clinic will be the first step for many pets and their people in finding the support, care and hope they need to stay together.
We will transform the space into a safety net that keeps pets in the homes where they are loved. By early 2028, we will welcome the first families to the non-profit Community Veterinary Clinic.
The clinic will provide life-changing care for pets who need it most — critical veterinary treatment like sterilization, dentistry, and emergency procedures for animals in need.
Get involved, visit: ottawahumane.ca/compassion
Youth Take Charge at Advocacy Leader Workshops
In December, we launched a pet food drive to secure critical meals that would help keep pets with their loving families. With drop off locations available throughout the city, you showed up in a big way to keep pets with the people who love them.
The OHS’s Emergency Pet Food Bank supports Ottawa’s pet owners like Greg and his dog Romeo, who needed a little help to stay together. Greg shared:
“This year has been quite challenging with two surgeries and the possibility of a third, which has made it difficult for me to work.
The pet food bank has been a lifeline for us. I can’t overstate how much this has eased the burden during this tough time.”
Even as bags and cans poured in for the food drive, we were already taking those donations and distributing them to pet owners in need in the community.
It’s thanks to you that no one in Ottawa ever has to choose between feeding themselves or their pet.
Thank you.
Reaching an Incredible Milestone
Recently, we surpassed more than 1,000 active volunteers at the OHS — volunteers who give their time and talents for Ottawa’s homeless animals.
A tremendous thank you to all the volunteers helping the animals today, and the countless who helped in the past in so many ways. It is through the love, generosity and support of our incredible volunteers, donors and community that the OHS can be here for the animals every day.
Volunteers are a part of everything we do for Ottawa’s homeless animals. From walking dogs to spending time with cats and small animals, supporting our fundraising events, fostering animals who need them most, helping kids to learn about animals or helping behind the scenes in administration.
Thank you to the more than 1,000 volunteers who make lifesaving shelter, care and second chances possible.
This Dog is Out of This World
Trapped in a tangle of matted fur. Nervous and unsure of new people. And missing a portion of one of his front legs. We knew there wouldn’t be anything easy about helping Pluto. His care wasn’t simple, but you made it possible.
The first step was shaving away the clumps of dirty fur that were causing him stress and restricting his movement. With patience, treats and gentle understanding, we revealed the dog under the mess of fur.
He was a handsome miniature poodle. To help him feel more comfortable, we set him up with a loving foster home. Working with his foster volunteer, Pluto slowly started coming out of his shell.
Consultations with a veterinarian who specialized in injuries like Pluto’s made it clear that he would need the remaining portion of his leg removed to live a happy, healthy life. Our skilled veterinarians completed the surgery and brought Pluto much closer to adoption.
After recovering from his procedure, Pluto was ready for adoption, and it wasn’t long before he found his forever home. Your care and support made his journey and second chance possible.
Thank you for being there for animals like Pluto when they need you most.