Blog | Ottawa Humane Society

What No One Tells You About Senior Pets

We had a sweet litter of puppies in our adoption centre this week — all adopted within a couple of days, of course. Puppies are wonderful, and I had to sneak in a quick cuddle with them while they were here. It’s very obvious why puppies and kittens have no trouble finding forever homes, however I really want to tell you about the pets who are so overlooked, it’s shocking. I’m talking about senior pets.

Remembering People, Remembering Animals

For Remembrance Day this year, I plan to visit the Animals in War Memorial in Confederation Park to honour both the people who fought and sacrificed their lives in combat and the animals who were used to support them. Throughout the ages, people have used animals in conflict in many ways: horses and mules for transportation; pigeons to deliver messages; dogs for bomb detection, search and rescue, medical aid, and more; and all kinds of animals have provided companionship and comfort during wartime.

An Evening of Care

In just a few hours, my colleagues and I will be burning the midnight oil to provide spay and neuter surgeries and dental procedures for animals in need. We’re all volunteering our time and many of us have already been working throughout the day. By the end, we’ll be completely exhausted, but it will all be worth it.

To Costume or Not to Costume?

If you have been a supporter of the OHS for many years, you’ll have noticed that our messaging around pets in costumes has shifted. Our previous hard line on “no costumes” has softened somewhat, to advocate for “costuming with caution.” Why is that?

Desperately Searching for Unicorns

It’s no secret that we need foster homes all the time. We’re also fortunate that there are folks who regularly step up in the community to become foster volunteers.

Fosters take in animals of all types, shapes and sizes. But there is one type of animal who is regularly stuck waiting for a foster home, and they’re also the animals who would benefit the most.

The Plight of Feral Cats

Today is National Feral Cat Day — dedicated to raising awareness and support of feral cats and ending the cycle of cat homelessness through compassionate means like trap, neuter and release programs and community education.

It’s important to know that true feral cats are distinct from semi-socialized cats who roam outdoors.

What Do the Animals Need Most?

It’s a question I’m asked often, and the answer is mostly straightforward:

Forever homes ready to care for a pet for their entire life;
Volunteers to support animals at the OHS and to provide foster homes in the community;
Advocates for responsible pet ownership and better protections for pets; and,
Donations to provide life-saving and day-to-day care for homeless animals, and support community programs that help keep pets and their people together.

Start of the School Year: A Great Time for Training

Contrary to the title, right now is always the perfect time to train your pet. But the school year started only weeks ago, and just as educating and developing students (both new and seasoned) is absolutely crucial, so is supporting the development of our pets.

Training our pets has lots of benefits. It helps prevent undesirable behaviours. It gives our pets enrichment that supports their physical and mental well-being. And it also helps build a stronger bond between us and our pets.

Iconic Ottawa Event has Pets and Their People Vibrating with Excitement

We’re close to two weeks away from the 35^th annual Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run. It’s all anyone and any dog can talk about at the shelter.

There’s going to be walks and runs for kids, dogs, families and athletes a like.

There’s going to be a family fun zone with a bouncy castle.

Partnership: Essential and Life-Saving

There are endless cliches, sayings and metaphors about the value of teamwork — and for good reason. It’s a fact that more can be done when people work together — I see it every day at the OHS. Supporting hundreds of animals daily is only possible because of a team of caring, compassionate people looking out for the animals.