With the federal election less than two weeks away, we can all help make sure that animals count. Thanks to the advocacy of animal welfare organizations and their supporters, the treatment and protection of animals has been prioritized by every level of government over the past few years.
When I walk around the shelter, I see animals from all walks of life that are just trying to live their best life possible. In order to help these animals overcome the adversity with which they’ve been faced, the Ottawa Humane Society has created a new department: Intervention Services. This department complements the medical team by identifying all non-medical needs of the animals in OHS care.
I meet a lot of people in my role at the Ottawa Humane Society. And because seniors are such ardent supporters of the OHS, a disproportionate number of the people I meet and talk to are seniors.
Our humane education team decided to kick-start this school year by running Leadership and Education with Adolescents and Dogs (L.E.A.D.), a worthwhile community outreach initiative that has been creating positive change for both people and pets for more than ten years.
Yes, I do think everyone needs a friend, but here I mean a PAL, as in the OHS Pet Adoption Location Program that adopts pets in the care of the OHS offsite in the community. The PAL program is an enormously important part of the OHS’s ability to help animals in Ottawa. At any given time, there may be 80 or more cats and small animals spread out in33 locations across the city.
Sometimes it feels to me that everyone thinks they want to work at the Ottawa Humane Society. I say “thinks” they want to, because my experience has been that a lot of people don’t know what is expected of an OHS employee, or for that matter, any employee of a not-for-profit.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela
Four years ago, when the OHS was developing our five-year plan, our community of supporters told us to invest more—even double—the resources dedicated to changing the future for Ottawa’s animals. I was delighted they were so far-thinking.
You probably won’t be surprised that many of the animals that need the care of the Ottawa Humane Society are suffering. And I am sure you won’t be surprised that, too often, their suffering can be traced back to a human. The suffering may be because of something a human did: a cat allowed to roam eventually hit by a car, or a dog abused for not behaving as an owner expects.
I am well aware that many people associate the Ottawa Humane Society solely with dogs and cats. Though our Mission embraces all animals, admittedly a very large portion of our day-to-day work is with and about cats and dogs. Perhaps this is why even long time OHS supporters are sometimes surprised when I mention the little critters that we have for adoption: the gerbils, hamsters, mice, guinea pigs and rabbits in our care needing a forever home.
Helen Keller is one of my heroes. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Ms. Keller, she was an author, political activist, and lecturer in the early 20th century. She campaigned for women’s suffrage, labor rights, antimilitarism, and other progressive causes.
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