What Is an Open-Admission Animal Shelter? Why the OHS Never Turns Animals Away
The Ottawa Humane Society is an open-admission animal shelter, which means we never turn away an animal in need, regardless of age, injury, illness or behavioural challenges.
A lot of our visitors say of our work, “I just couldn’t do it – I can’t stand to see an animal suffer.” The answer we typically provide is that we focus on the good days, the happy outcomes — and the gains we’re making over time. The truth? Sometimes, it’s too much for us, too.
There are animals that, despite human cruelty, we can save. Our hearts are broken by the brutality inflicted on an innocent creature, but we rally in coming together to give them a second chance. Such is the story of Fig.
Fig is a sweet cat who was recently found alone with a bullet in his leg. The injury had turned into a nasty infection. Our veterinary team jumped into action and removed Fig’s injured leg so that he could live a happy, healthy life.
Being able to give Fig — and animals like him — a second chance is what keeps many members of our team coming back day after day.
But some animals don’t have a happy ending.
The other day, a cat was found alone outside and rushed to the OHS — I’ll call him Leo. He stumbled from the carrier he was brought in and collapsed panting on the exam table. He had a huge wound on his neck. He was dying, and in pain. All we could do was ease his suffering and make sure he could die peacefully, surrounded by caring people.
It’s times like these that test the fabric of people who choose to work in an open-admission animal shelter. Those drawn to this work often carry extraordinary empathy for animals, a quality that fuels courage and compassion, yet can also bring profound moral distress. This is not a job for everyone, and many choose to leave the field because the burden is just too heavy.
But for those of us who stay? How do we persist, when we’re reeling from witnessing the suffering of animals like Leo? We remember that if we weren’t here in Ottawa, Leo would have succumbed to his wounds alone and afraid. While we couldn’t save him, we made sure his last moments were surrounded by love and care. We support each other, and we lean in. Even when it’s too much.
As Ottawa’s only open-admission animal shelter, the OHS is here for animals in crisis, whether that means emergency veterinary care, helping pets stay in the homes where they are loved, helping a pet untangle a challenging behaviour or providing humane end-of-life care to prevent suffering.
And always, we remember we are not in this alone. I am tremendously grateful for the immense compassion the Ottawa community shows for animals in need. From adopters, to volunteers, to advocates, to supporters of all stripes — our community shows up for the animals. On the hardest days, your support means we can keep leaning in.
Thank you.
Sharon Miko
President & CEO