Blog | Ottawa Humane Society

Twenty Sick Cats Need You

Right now, we’ve got a quarantine room filled to the brim with sick cats like Sprinkle and Sparkle. The kitties are fighting through upper respiratory infections (also known as cat colds). The infection makes them congested, sneeze constantly and gunks up their adorable faces with goopies.

Sprinkle and Sparkle can almost always be found cuddled up together. They always greet me with a chirp and a purr, putting on a brave face even if they aren’t feeling their best.

Tonight is so Important

In 2013, we lost a friend and colleague, Julie Laporte, to cancer. She was a beloved member of our team for nearly ten years. Her compassion, kindness and dedication to helping Ottawa’s animals shone in everything she did.

Here at the Ottawa Humane Society, we haven’t forgotten Julie and her devotion to the animals. Her actions continue to inspire me, the clinic team and everyone at the OHS — a constant reminder that Ottawa is a community that cares.

Lessons to Remember

I remember the first time my kids asked me about Remembrance Day and why we wear poppies. If you’ve ever had to explain war and conflict to a child, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s challenging. Explaining the human side of war is difficult and so is coming to terms with how animals were used and sacrificed in war without a choice.

Heartbreaking Limits of Care

If you’ve been watching local news, you likely have heard of the province’s recent and ongoing investigation into allegations of mistreatment of animals at a rescue in the Ottawa area.

The allegations are gut-wrenching and have an impact on everyone in the animal welfare community. There are many great rescue groups in Ottawa, and at the OHS, we are proud to partner with many of them to weave a safety net for Ottawa’s animals.

Are You Ready for Disaster?

When I was young, our cat, Butter, had a medical emergency that panicked our family. After not eating for two days, we took her to the veterinarian and discovered she had swallowed a sewing needle. My father rushed her to an emergency veterinary clinic two towns over. One surgery and hours later, that emergency visit cost my parents $2,500 — money we didn’t have at the time. Through a series of budgeting choices and taking debt on a credit card, we found a way to cover the cost, but not without putting our family under financial strain.

Why Are There More Reports of Aggressive Dogs?

As the owner of a geriatric Shih Tzu who demands to travel to most places by stroller, I sometimes — very briefly — forget about how much effort is needed to build wanted behaviours between a person and their dog.

It takes daily care and attention from a loving person to keep pets healthy and happy.

The Results of Ottawa’s Biggest Cat Survey

Want to know a fool-proof recipe for disaster? Doing things in a vacuum.

That’s why I want to give a huge thank you to everyone who filled out the Outdoor Cat Survey in August, to share their thoughts on outdoor cats and their welfare.

Returning to Work or School? You Need to Know This

My youngest kid recently left for university, and we hadn’t realized the hole she was leaving in our family’s pet’s schedule. Given where I work, you might have thought that I would be more prepared – but it has taken us a few pee puddles to figure out how best to support our old doggie, Dixie, who isn’t used to being left alone for long.

Snoop Dog and Celine Diog Announce Appearance at Ottawa Charity Event

After barking at the torch and putting on a howling good performance during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Dog-lympics, Snoop Dog and Celine Diog have confirmed their next stop will be in Canada’s capital.

It’s Unbelievable How Long These Dogs Have Waited…

Buddy and Echo are two dogs who have both been waiting for more than 100 days for their forever home. They were here in the spring when kitten season hit a fevered pitch, and it looks like they may still be at the OHS in the fall when many of the kittens will have already gone home.