Stray, Pregnant Dog Finds Shelter at Humane Society - ‘Part of a Remarkable Trend’ Says Shelter Staff
April 24, 2025 — An Ottawa community member found Petunia, a two-year-old pug, alone and pregnant. She recently gave birth in the care of an Ottawa Humane Society foster volunteer, and she and her puppies are among the thousands of animals who will need the shelter’s support this spring and summer. To meet the growing demand, the OHS is asking for community’s support and an anonymous donor is matching all donations made on April 24.
Petunia and her puppies aren’t the only animals who need the community’s support. In the first three months of 2025, the OHS admitted 78 puppies, a sharp increase from 11 during the same period last year.
“We haven’t seen this many puppies in years,” said Sharon Miko, OHS President & CEO. “I’m grateful to those who choose to surrender their pets to the OHS when they are no longer able to care for them. Petunia is one of the lucky ones. I don’t want to think about what happens to abandoned pets who are never found.”
It’s not just dogs who need the OHS — cats typically represent the highest population at the shelter. Spring marks the beginning of kitten season, when warmer weather causes cats to go into heat, leading to a wave of newborn kittens arriving at the shelter in need of care.
Some cats will only be a spay or neuter surgery away from adoption, while others, like five-year-old Smokey, need more support and care.
“Smokey came to us with a badly injured eye that could not be saved,” explained Dr. Shelley Hutchings, OHS Chief Veterinarian. “We removed his eye to make sure he could live his best, healthy, pain-free life. We depend on our community’s support to provide this level of care every day and find pets new forever homes.”
To sustain this life-saving work, the OHS is encouraging donors to become monthly supporters. Monthly gifts provide stable funding that helps shelter and care for thousands of homeless animals each year. The OHS’s goal is to raise $55,000 to support life-saving care for the many animals at the shelter and to prepare for the busy summer ahead. Visit the Ottawa Humane Society’s website to double your impact.
Media Contact
Ottawa Humane Society
Stephen Smith, Senior Manager: Marketing & Communications
stephens@ottawahumane.ca
www.ottawahumane.ca