Skip to main content Skip to footer

News

  • This Shelter Used AI to Read a Dog’s Mind: The Results are Unbelievable

    We used an AI thought-to-text device to read the mind of Chance, our Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run spokesdog, and asked him how excited he is for the 35th WWWR. Here is the result:

    I’m so so so so excited to tell you about my super awesome special day it’s a day all just for me Chance and it’s happening in

    Read More

  • Can Ottawa Write the Future of Animal Welfare?

    “There is no power greater for change than a community discovering what it cares about.” ― Margaret Wheatley

    Earlier this month, I found myself in a room with hundreds of other animal welfarists, talking about the future for animals in our country. This was the Humane Canada annual conference, and as a movement, we have many reasons to be proud!

    Read More

  • 17 Rats Brought to Ottawa Humane Society on Long Weekend

    The OHS is struggling to care for 16 stray rats brought to its care over the Victoria Day long weekend. The rats – all male and predominantly juvenile — were found in a cage outdoors in the Britannia Park area. Many of the rats are underweight and in poor health; one has already died.

    Read More

  • When Love Hurts: One of the Biggest Reasons Ottawa is Surrendering Pets

    Surrendering a pet is a tough and personal decision. We’ve shared before some of the reasons that would bring a pet to the OHS and how we’ll do whatever we can to keep a pet with a family who loves and cares for them.

    There is a unique story behind every animal who comes to the OHS, but we have noticed a common thread over the past year. One of the most frequent reasons owners need to surrender their pet is that they simply have too many.

    Read More

  • Rabbits — The New Cats

    They roam your house, use a litter box, are best kept indoors, should be spayed/neutered, and their homeless population has been exploding.

    Sound familiar? Well, I’m not talking about cats, but rabbits.

    Around September 2021, we declared our rabbit population a burgeoning crisis. Rabbits were coming to us in entire litters, easily cruising into the double digits. It was a bunny-palooza.

    Read More

  • Rising Heat Poses a Danger to Ottawa's Pets

    High temperatures forecasted for Ottawa this week pose a great danger to pets left alone in cars, warns the Ottawa Humane Society.

    “Dogs die in hot cars,” said Sharon Miko, OHS President & CEO. “Temperatures in vehicles rise extremely quickly — even with windows open. Pets can overheat, leading to brain damage and even death.”

    Read More

  • Can Ottawa End Its Cycle of Homeless Cats?

    It’s that time of year when we start to see a rising number of kittens and momma cats who need our help. During the winter months, we were taking in somewhere between 150 and 200 cats each month. During the spring and summer months, this increases by more than 100 cats monthly.

    Read More

  • Will You Be There for the Animals?

    In all the years I’ve worked for the Ottawa Humane Society, I haven’t seen an end to the different ways an animal might need our help.

    A cat with a gunshot wound in his leg. A dog who had crawled into a car engine to escape the cold. A Guinea pig with ovarian cysts. Floods of homeless bunnies needing shelter, care and love. A momma cat who needed a C-section to save her life and the lives of her kittens.

    Read More

  • The Life-Saving Difference

    Many hands make life-saving work at the Ottawa Humane Society possible. One of these essential groups is our amazing team of volunteers — close to 800 strong.

    This past week, we celebrated National Volunteer Week, and we took the chance to showcase a few of the people who are a part of this selfless team. 

    Read More

  • Ottawa Humane Society Eliminates Surrender Fees

    In a historic move, the Ottawa Humane Society has eliminated fees for owners to surrender their pets into the organization’s care.

    Previously, surrendering could have cost a pet owner $25 to $125 depending on the species of their pet.

    Read More


This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.