Latest News - Ottawa Humane Society

Welcoming Northern Dogs

With life slowly returning to something that resembles normal, most OHS programs have been reopened over the past couple of months. Camps and tours for children and youth, tours, birthday parties, in-person dog training and other important programs are once again operating, building a better future for Ottawa’s animals by creating a better generation of pet owners.

Jun 23, 2022

What’s Staying, What’s Going

With the provincial mask mandate dropping this week in hospitals and public transit, we have followed suit for staff and volunteers at the OHS.

We still encourage those who would like to continue wearing a mask to do so, but now everyone may choose whether or not to mask.

Jun 16, 2022

Missing People. Missing You.

I don’t know about you, but I miss getting together with people. I miss older relatives that have been under stricter restrictions. I’ve missed dinners out with friends. I’ve missed in-person staff meetings at work. I miss getting together with my colleagues from across the province to talk about our mutual challenges and their solutions. I’m tired of Zoom. It’s convenient, but it’s just not the same.

Jun 09, 2022

Ottawa’s Biggest Event for the Animals Returns After Two Years of COVID

The Ottawa Humane Society’s Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run presented by Hill’s Pet Nutrition will be returning on Sept. 25 at Lansdowne Park’s Great Lawn.

Registration opens today. The public health crisis had placed the event on hold since 2020, but this year’s event is expected to be bigger and better than ever.

Jun 08, 2022

Ottawa Humane Society Facing Mounting Costs as Power Outage Drags On

The Ottawa Humane Society has been without power since Saturday’s storm. In addition to repairing damages to the building and property, the OHS is taking on substantial costs in fuel.

The OHS has a backup generator to maintain essential services for the animals. This includes keeping the lights on in the critical care unit, powering machines for monitoring vitals, and providing oxygen for animals in need of surgery. The generator has been running non-stop since the outage began.

May 26, 2022

OHS in the Dark

Saturday’s storm knocked out power to the OHS — toppling trees on our property, causing some damage and making our outdoor dog run unusable. We are still in the dark and have had to cancel most of our programs for the week. Adoptions continue, but at a slower pace.

May 26, 2022

Ottawa Humane Society Without Power

The Ottawa Humane Society has been without power since the storm on Saturday, May 21. Trees were downed on the property, the building sustained some damage and is currently running on a backup generator. The organization is implementing its emergency plan.

May 24, 2022

Quebec: One Ontario: Zero

You may have heard that Quebec recently introduced some progressive changes to its Animal Welfare and Safety Act. If the legislation passes, some of the biggest and most long-standing animal welfare concerns will finally be addressed in that province.

Prong collars? Gone. Tail docking, ear cropping and declawing of cats? Gone. Gas chambers for euthanasia? Gone.

May 19, 2022

Offshoring Puppy Mills

There’s a persistent rumour going around the country that the many thousands of people who acquired pets during the pandemic — mostly dogs — are surrendering their pets to shelters in droves because those people are now going back to work. We receive regular calls from the media wanting us to talk about the story, but the story isn’t true; not in Ottawa, and not in any part of the country that I am aware of.

May 12, 2022

Serious Danger to Pets Left in Cars as Temperatures Soar

High temperatures forecasted for Ottawa this weekend pose a great danger to pets left alone in cars, warns the Ottawa Humane Society.

“Dogs die in hot cars,” said Bruce Roney, OHS President & CEO. “Temperatures in vehicles rise extremely quickly — even with windows open. Pets can overheat, leading to brain damage and even death.”

May 12, 2022