It’s times like these that we recognize the heroes around us. In the past few weeks, I have seen many heroes in our community and right here at the Ottawa Humane Society.
The past couple of weeks have been challenging for everyone and certainly the OHS has not been immune.
Most people probably don’t think of the Ottawa Humane Society as an emergency service, but we very much are. We always have been. The importance of a community’s ability to care for animals in an emergency became much clearer in during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, though.
I don’t think that anyone would deny that we are increasingly living in a click-to-buy world. For me, it started with books and CDs and I have moved on from there to clothes and household items. It’s just so easy, and I am always stunned by how quickly I receive purchases after I click. The delivery systems are so fast that waiting no more than a couple of days is the norm that I have come to expect.
Late last fall, the OHS chief veterinarian sent me an article from the Veterinary Information Network that she subscribes to entitled, “Has the no-kill movement increased animal suffering?” It is an interesting piece written by two veterinarians, and if you have the time, it is worth a read.
One of the elements of the OHS strategic plan is to strengthen our partners. Not strengthen the partnership, but the partners themselves. It’s not just a nice thing to do, and it’s not just our contribution to the wider animal welfare movement, the more able our partners are, the more they can take on, because, let’s face it, there is a lot of work to be done in animal welfare.
Many of you may be familiar with what is called “One Health.” One Health is the understanding that human health, animal health, and the health of the environment are inexorably linked. The three are, and will always be, interconnected.
The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed a change to the phrase we use to describe the number of animals we care for each year here at the Ottawa Humane Society. Last year, the phase was “nearly 10,000.” In 2020, the phrase is “over 8,000.”
We adopted Gracie, “the cat who must be obeyed,” when she was 10 years old — a senior, by any measure. I wanted a senior cat, because, frankly, I’m too old to deal with rambunctious kitten behaviours for long. Kittens are cute and fun, but after an hour or so, I want my quiet house back. I knew I needed a relatively mellow pet.
Over the years, the Ottawa Humane Society has increasingly invested in the behaviour and emotional well-being of the animals in its care. The introduction of hide and perch boxes for cats was one milestone. Daily, rotating, enrichment activities for dogs was another.
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