News

Today is a happy day for me. Film is being installed on the windows at the OHS. I know that sounds pretty boring, but to me it’s exciting. You see, this particular film is going to protect wild birds. Let me explain.

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We’re so excited. We are just a month away from the Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run.

It’s been three long years since Ottawa has been able to come together in-person, in real life, for a day of fun and excitement.

It’s been three years since we’ve been able to get together with our family and friends to help animals in need.

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Many people have asked me over the years, “What is the difference between a humane society and an SPCA?” The answer is, today, functionally there is no difference. Most humane societies and SPCAs do similar work and have similar missions and mandates. Best I can tell, the names are different for historical reasons; SPCAs were founded solely to protect animals, while humane societies were founded with a broader mandate of protecting animals and children.

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Pre-COVID, the OHS might have had 800 or more animals in our care at any one time. Our shelter capacity is in the neighbourhood of 350. We do not euthanize for space.

So how do we accommodate all these animals? In three ways: managed admission, the Pet Adoption Location (PAL) program, and most importantly, fostering.

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More than 40 animals are currently waiting for foster homes at the Ottawa Humane Society, and some have been waiting for more than a month.

“The summer is when our need for foster homes is the greatest,” said Kestrel Wraggett, OHS manager: volunteers. “We’ve never seen wait times like this before. Usually it only takes an animal about three to five days to find a foster home.”

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Like many charities, the Ottawa Humane Society envisions a future in which we aren’t needed anymore. For us that means a compassionate future where every animal leads a happy and healthy life, and pets are cared for in a committed and responsible home.

The OHS is still needed, but you can help put us out of business by being a responsible pet owner and encouraging others to follow.

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As Canadians, we generally view our country as the refuge for Black Americans escaping slavery in the U.S. via the Underground Railroad. While that is true, we tend to ignore our own vile history of slavery. For more than two hundred years, slavery happened in Canada too. 

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Last night, seven rabbits were found abandoned on the shared yard of an apartment building near McEwan Avenue in Ambleside and brought to the Ottawa Humane Society.

The OHS had recently declared the week of July 24 to 30 as Rabbit Week in an effort to find homes for the more than 20 rabbits already in its care.

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More than 20 rabbits at the Ottawa Humane Society are looking for forever homes. The OHS has declared the week of July 24 to 30 as Rabbit Week in an effort to find homes for these bunnies in need.

“Since the fall, we’ve consistently had more than 20 rabbits available for adoption at any given time,” said Stephen Smith, OHS manager: communications. “They’re being adopted out at a steady pace, but more continue to come into our care.”

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I have enjoyed my 22 years at the Ottawa Humane Society so much, I’m surprised there’s not a line up out the door of people wanting to work here. I was thinking that perhaps everyone doesn’t know all the reasons why the OHS is such a great place to be. So, here’s my top 10 list:

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