Supporting More Than 100 Dogs — Ottawa Humane Society Navigating Late Summer Surge
Sept. 3, 2026 — At the tail end of summer, the Ottawa Humane Society is supporting an unusually high number of dogs. In August, the OHS received 40% more stray dogs alongside sudden, large intakes of dogs which caused additional strain on the animal shelter.
“Per animal, dogs need the most resources each day,” said Sharon Miko, OHS President & CEO. “We have 78 dogs at the shelter. That’s 78 dogs who need daily feeding, walks, play and cleaning. Add on individualized care for medical and behaviour needs? That’s a lot of effort to shelter a homeless dog.”
There are 108 dogs, 254 cats, and 44 other animals in the care of the OHS and its foster volunteers. To ensure the shelter can remain immediately available for animals in emergencies, the OHS is asking some owners to wait before surrendering their pet.
“We never turn away animals in emergencies,” said Miko. “If someone’s pet is safe in a home and can wait, we’re asking them to hang on to their pet for a little while longer. This is how we make sure we’re always ready for animals who have nowhere else to turn, and that we can care for the hundreds of animals already relying on us.”
The OHS provides several supports to help keep pets in the homes where they are loved, such as a pet food bank, low-cost spay/neuter services, wellness clinics, and temporary crisis boarding.
“More often than not, surrender is a heartbreaking decision for a pet owner,” explained Miko. “Wherever possible, we want to keep pets in the homes where they are already loved and ensure the shelter is ready for animals who have no other option. But if someone can’t keep their pet and simply can’t wait, we’re here to help every day.”
To help support the many animals currently in the OHS’s care, the OHS is encouraging the community to consider fostering, adopting, or donating to make life-saving shelter and care possible for Ottawa’s homeless animals.
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Media Contact
Ottawa Humane Society
Stephen Smith, Senior Manager: Marketing & Communications
stephens@ottawahumane.ca
www.ottawahumane.ca