Historic Wait Times for Foster Homes at the Ottawa Humane Society

Aug. 9, 2022 — More than 40 animals are currently waiting for foster homes at the Ottawa Humane Society, and some have been waiting for more than a month.

“The summer is when our need for foster homes is the greatest,” said Kestrel Wraggett, OHS manager: volunteers. “We’ve never seen wait times like this before. Usually it only takes an animal about three to five days to find a foster home.”

During the summer, Ottawa’s interest in fostering cools as families plan vacations and aren’t able to give a temporary home to an animal in need. In addition to fewer homes being available, population at the OHS spikes as homeless momma cats and their kittens flood the shelter.

Foster volunteers make a huge difference both for the animal in their care and for other animals at the OHS. Foster volunteers give the animals a comfortable home to relax while they wait for their forever home, work on their behaviour or recover from a life-saving surgery. With more animals in foster homes, the OHS has more space and resources to provide for animals in need.

“Fostering one animal helps so many more,” added Wraggett. “And right now, our need is the greatest it has ever been.”

The OHS provides foster volunteers with everything required for the animal in their care. Many of the animals currently in need of a foster home only have to stay with their foster family for a couple weeks.

Anyone interested in becoming a foster volunteer can learn more on the OHS’s website.

Media Contact
Ottawa Humane Society
Stephen Smith, Manager: Communications
stephens@ottawahumane.ca
www.ottawahumane.ca