When I started working for the Ottawa Humane Society 21 years ago, I was shocked to learn that the cost of enforcement of animal cruelty legislation fell to our donors. I thought it was absurd that the cost of investigations, laying charges, and removing and caring for abused and neglected animals would not be borne by the public purse. I likened it to anti-smoking legislation...
Many years ago, when I was a schoolboy, I was taught that there were two fundamental differences between humans and animals: the use of tools and sentience.
Now, of course, we recognize at least three errors in this teaching. Humans are animals, and since the time I was in school, many other species have been observed to use tools.
I often am asked why there are so few dogs available for adoption on our website. There are a few reasons. For one thing, the number of dogs admitted to the OHS — both stray and surrendered by their owners — has dropped regularly over the years. Shelters across North America have been observing this pattern and are thankful for the downward trend.
I have talked a lot about the importance of buyer responsibility when searching for a new puppy. While it is true that individual consumers can drive change and help eliminate cruel businesses, it begs the question of how are these businesses allowed to exist in the first place.
On May 8, a kangaroo named Willow died after escaping from Papanack Park Zoo. The zoo, located east of Ottawa, is notorious for longstanding allegations of animal cruelty and abuse.
Witnesses reported seeing Willow cross the road while already suffering from serious injuries, with blood and exposed bone.
Over the past several years, as a part of our five-year strategic plan, the OHS has greatly expanded the volume of communication to our community and our supporters. Why? Well, if we are truly committed to a brighter future for animals, we need to do more than rescue them when they are sick, injured, lost or abused. We need to confront the issues that brought them to such dire circumstances. To do this, we need to create awareness, provide information and education and we need to support our community in caring for and about pets, wildlife and even livestock.
“I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” Maya Angelou
I grew up in the late 60s and 70s, just after the peak of the civil rights movement. It seemed to me then that equality and social justice were inevitable – everything would just keep getting better, even if it would happen slowly.
I tend to get credit for a lot of the good things that the Ottawa Humane Society does and the organization that it has become. While that is very flattering, I know it takes a lot of people to make an organization work. At the OHS, it’s a slightly magical combination of a professional staff, committed volunteers, a progressive board of directors, and a supportive community.
The Ottawa Humane Society is a long-time advocate of keeping cats indoors, unless safe in a “catio” or on a leash with her owner. At the OHS, I regularly see the sad reality for cats allowed to roam: frostbite; disease; accidental, or even intentional injuries. I always tense up when I see a cat loose, picturing what could happen to her.
It’s more than a bit depressing that we have marked two celebrations — Easter and Passover — twice now under COVID restrictions. Even though better times appear to be on the horizon, the sheer length of the pandemic has been stressful and wearying for everyone. Like many difficult times, I have relied on gratitude to keep going and not succumb to depression and despair.
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