When I began working at the Ottawa Humane Society 22 years ago and for quite a few years after, the board, staff and volunteers were predominately white, with ancestry in the British Isles. To be honest, for many years, I had naively assumed this was a cultural phenomenon. That is, I had assumed that other cultures in Canada just weren’t that interested in dogs and cats, nor the welfare of wildlife and livestock.
I learned a sad lesson many years ago. A man surrendered two beautiful Borzois — a pretty unusual event at the OHS. I found out the next day that the staff were talking amongst themselves, outraged that anyone would surrender two young, healthy pets. I found out shortly after that the gentleman surrendered his dogs because he had terminal cancer. I have used this story with staff ever since. It’s a lesson in not judging people or their circumstances. This man was not a bad person. He trusted us with his beloved pets. He had faith in our ability to care for them.
The OHS Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run is a lot of wonderful things: a great day out, a fun time with your family and your dogs, a chance to see breeds of dogs you never see anywhere else, and a chance to mingle with other caring and committed people in Ottawa. The run is all that and an opportunity to set a personal best.
Like everyone else, the Ottawa Humane Society had to adapt and change on the fly throughout the public health crisis. As things cool down and we’re starting to get a handle on just what life after COVID might look like, we’ve decided to continue with our method for adopting out animals.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
