At the municipal level, OHS advocates for animals by engaging directly with city council, providing expert recommendations on bylaws, and championing policies that promote responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. Through community leadership, we collaborate with local organizations, educate the public, and address issues such as stray animal management and access to veterinary care. By understanding and responding to the needs of our communities, we work to create a more compassionate city where animals are protected and valued.
Become an Animal Advocate
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Your Voice Makes a Difference
The Ottawa Humane Society is a voice for animals, championing their welfare through dedicated advocacy efforts that create lasting change in the community. By working with policymakers, raising public awareness, and promoting humane legislation, we strive to protect animals from cruelty, neglect and exploitation.
Through educational campaigns, community outreach, and collaboration with like-minded organizations, we empower individuals to take action and be a voice for the voiceless. Every day, we advocate for stronger protections, responsible pet ownership, and a more compassionate society — because every animal deserves a safe and loving home. Explore our ongoing campaigns and take action for animals today.
Take Action
Buck Off Cruelty
Those who support using animals in bull riding events call the animals “athletes,” saying they were “born to buck."
You can show that Ottawa opposes the cruel treatment of animals in bull riding events, like PBR.
Better Protection for Pets
There is much more to be done to protect animals across the province and improve transparency surrounding provincial investigations into animal cruelty and neglect.
End Live Horse Export
Every year, Canada exports thousands of horses overseas for slaughter without food, water, or rest for up to 28 hours.
You can join animal advocates in calling on the federal government to end this practice and stop the live export of horses.
Animal Advocacy at the OHS
Animal advocacy at the OHS means actively promoting the protection and welfare of animals through education, legislation and compassionate action. It involves speaking out against cruelty, neglect, and exploitation while working to ensure that all animals — whether companion animals, farmed animals, or wildlife — are treated with dignity and respect.
A community that fosters responsible pet ownership, supports spaying and neutering programs to prevent overpopulation, and advocates for stronger animal protection laws will help build a more humane and compassionate community for all. Through community outreach, animal advocacy seeks to create a world where animals are valued, protected and free from suffering.
Learn more about how we are achieving this mission.
Your Impact
Stop train and trial in Ontario
Ontario is the only province in Canada that allows for hunters to train their dogs in pens that are baited with wild foxes, rabbits and coyotes. The wildlife used as bait are captures from farms and other properties and transferred to train and trial pens where they are forced to run for their lives every single day. We called on the province to end this practice. While this practice is still happening, you can still help to hold this provincial government accountable.
Calling for a Breeder Registry in Ontario
Ontario’s Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act (PUPS) passed in June 2024. The act included a recommendation from the Ottawa Humane Society and the Ontario Animal Welfare Network to clearly define a puppy mill. However, other recommendations that would help strengthen animal welfare in the province were excluded.
Accountability and action are essential in preventing unethical breeders from exploiting dogs.
Community Cat Count
Feral cats are a growing concern, especially during kitten season, when unspayed outdoor cats give birth to countless litters, contributing to overpopulation. Without intervention, these cats face harsh conditions, and many kittens do not survive.
TNVR is a humane and effective method that stabilizes and gradually reduces feral cat populations by preventing future litters while ensuring existing cats are vaccinated and healthier.
Know when to call Animal Welfare Service
Do You Suspect Animal Abuse or Neglect?
If an animal is injured, in pain, suffering, abused, does not have access to proper care, water shelter or food, call the Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre at 1-833-9-ANIMAL.
If you believe that an animal is in a life-threatening situation, call 911.
If a dog is loose, call Ottawa By-law and Regulatory Services at 311.
Working in Our Legislative Systems
At the OHS, we are dedicated to advancing animal welfare by advocating at all levels of government — municipal, provincial, and federal. Whether working with city councillors, provincial representatives or federal officials, we strive to create meaningful change for animals.
The OHS is a proud member of the Ontario Animal Welfare Network (OAWN), a coalition of humane societies and SPCAs working together to improve the lives of animals across the province. Since most animal welfare laws fall under provincial jurisdiction, OAWN plays a critical role in shaping impactful legislation, including the PAWS Act, the criminalization of puppy mills, the push for a breeder registry and stronger wildlife protection laws.
As a member of Humane Canada, OHS helps drive national policy changes to protect animals. This includes advocating for improved farming practices, opposing ag-gag legislation, and strengthening animal protections within the Criminal Code.
Through collaboration and persistent advocacy, we are making real progress for animals—because their welfare matters.
Animal Welfare Versus Animal Rights
The key difference between animal welfare and animal rights lies in their approach: animal welfare is rooted in science, while animal rights is based on philosophy.
Animal Welfare
Animal welfare focuses on regulating the treatment of animals under human care, ensuring they are treated humanely and often uses the five freedoms as the guidelines to judge if a regulation or practice is aligned with the animal's needs.
Animal Rights
The philosophy of animal rights asserts that humans should not use animals for any purpose and that their interests should be protected similarly to human rights.
At OHS, we are animal welfare advocates and continue to fight for the better treatment of animals in our community.
Sign Up for the Animal Advocate Newsletter
Each month, OHS publishes Animal Advocate, which focuses on animal welfare issues in Ottawa, Ontario and Canada. By signing up, you will stay informed on the animal issues in your community, how to take action to create a more humane world for animals and be part of an amazing community.