News

I had the honour last week of meeting with shelters, advocates and people who care about animals from all over North America and even around the globe at the Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Expo.

We talked about the challenges we are facing as leaders in the humane movement. Ways that we can better serve our communities. And, of course, how we can do more for animals in need.

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You may have heard the news earlier this month that Kiska, the world’s loneliest orca, died after 40 years in captivity.

The solace I take in Kiska’s death is that she is no longer suffering and the knowledge that no orca will ever endure a similar fate in Canada — Bill S-203 made sure of that even if it excluded Kiska and other animals already locked away behind Marineland’s walls.

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Almost daily, we receive calls from struggling pet owners to ask if the OHS can provide veterinary care for their pet — often for a condition that earlier intervention might have prevented. Outside of our Mobile Spay/Neuter Service (MSNS) and microchip clinics, the answer has been no, but that’s changing.

This week, we piloted our first-ever Wellness Clinic and provided wellness exams, core vaccinations, microchips, and a few other basic veterinary services to nine cats and dogs whose families are not able to afford veterinary care. We talk to owners about how to keep their pets healthy and signs of illness to watch for.

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The Ottawa Humane Society urgently needs foster homes for more than 20 big dogs. Some of the dogs have been waiting for months for a foster placement.

“Foster homes are essential for the wellbeing of the animals,” explained Kristina O’Hanley, OHS manager: intervention services. “The shelter can be a stressful place for some animals. A calm home environment can aid an animal’s recovery, behaviour training and so much more.”

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Recently, the City of Ottawa declared intimate partner violence an epidemic. Domestic abuse and violence not only harm the people in a household, but also harm pets. The link between domestic violence against people and domestic violence against animals is well-documented and clearly established.

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On International Women’s Day, I think about all of the great women who have contributed to the animal welfare movement — from Jane Goodall of course, the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees, to Dr. Lila Miller, the mother of shelter medicine. Many great female leaders have forged the path, to make our communities better places for the animals we share our world with, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.

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Tickets are now available for the Ottawa Humane Society’s For the Love of Animals Lottery.

The grand prize is a brand new 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback Luxury SUV by Audi West Ottawa, with other great early bird prizes like a home gym bundle and a cash prizes. Ticket purchasers will also be able to purchase tickets for a 50/50 draw.

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Applications are open for the Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) board of directors until March 31, 2023. The OHS is recruiting for two board positions that will become vacant in September 2023.

The board of directors is crucial to the work of the OHS, providing oversight for the organization to be successful in being a community leader for animal welfare, creating opportunities for young people to learn about animals and compassion, and providing a safe haven for Ottawa’s homeless animals.

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Today, we celebrated World Spay Day. I had the honour of helping to provide spay/neuter surgeries to animals in the care of some of our local partners. Thanks to the incredible support from our community, at the OHS clinic, we spayed/neutered 34 cats, 3 dogs and 3 rabbits in need.   

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On Feb. 28 the Ottawa Humane Society will spay and neuter more than 40 homeless cats, dogs and rabbits in the care of local animal rescue partners.

The effort is in recognition of World Spay Day, an international event to raise awareness about the importance of spaying and neutering pets.

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