A Banner That Means More
When we talk about protecting animals, it’s easy to focus on compassion – and rightly so. But compassion alone isn’t enough. Without clear, consistent standards for animal care, even well-intentioned efforts can fall short. That’s why accreditation in animal welfare is so critical: because without it, animals’ lives are at stake.
This year, I am incredibly proud that the Ottawa Humane Society was successfully re-accredited by Humane Canada, a designation that reflects not just care, but excellence in care. First earned in 2021, and the first humane society in the country to do so, this accreditation signals something bigger than a single organization’s success. It represents a commitment to a truly humane approach to animal welfare efforts.
Accreditation is not symbolic, it is rigorous. It evaluates how an organization operates across every dimension of animal care, including facility conditions and sanitation protocols, medical and behavioural health practices, adoption processes and outcomes, and community outreach, education, and advocacy.
The need for high standards in animal care has never been more urgent as it is right now.
Across Canada, more animals are arriving in shelter systems with complex medical or behavioural needs. At the same time, many families are facing barriers that put them at risk of being separated from their pets. This creates pressure on animal welfare organizations to do more, and to do it better.
At the OHS, we know that providing a true safety net for our community’s animals doesn’t stop with us. And so, we’ve also been supporting our community partners to make sure that together, we are keeping more animals safe. Our Partners in Placement, who support animals we are not able to care for or who bring animals to us that they are not able to care for, share the same commitment to high animal care standards and ethical, robust programs that increase pathways and improve outcomes for animals. Thousands of animals benefit from these partnerships every year.
Maintaining high standards requires ongoing commitment. It requires investment, accountability, and a willingness to continually improve. But the result is clear: better protection for animals, stronger outcomes for families, and a more humane community overall.
Sharon Miko
President & CEO