As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope to make the holiday a little more than a day off work with a big meal. It’s an opportunity to reflect on what I have and to be grateful. And that’s a good thing to do.
You may not track these kinds of things the way I do, but today is the first day of National Animal Safety and Protection Month. With COVID cases back on the rise, there’s never been a better time to talk about keeping your family safe, including the animals in your family.
When I started working for the Ottawa Humane Society 20 years ago, there were only a handful of local rescue groups. Since then, in Ottawa and across North America, the number has risen exponentially. Most do wonderful work and are essential parts in the animal welfare services structure in their communities. Unfortunately, a small minority are not.
I listen to CBC almost exclusively when I drive. In the morass of bad news, from time to time, there is something that gives me hope. Just a few days ago, there was a segment on the last fur auction in Canada. Apparently, there used to be several very large auctions in Canada, but these have dwindled to just one — and this one isn’t doing very well.
PAW monthly donations and one-time gifts made towards the Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) will be tripled until Sept. 13 to raise money for Ottawa’s homeless animals.
Anyone who donates by Sunday, Sept. 13 will have three times the impact.
You can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness.
Anne Frank
Kindness. It seems from almost nowhere in the past year or so, that word has suddenly become a buzz word. I see it everywhere. Sometimes I think it is real and sincere, but sometimes it just seems to be used to sell running shoes or cereal.
Last week, I spent a very pleasant evening in the backyard of my long-time friend, Genevieve —and yes, wine was consumed. At one point, Genevieve mentioned how much she loved the Ottawa Humane Society’s Pet In Memoriam Program. I was intrigued. Friends often comment on OHS programs that are close to their hearts, but never this one. I wanted to know more.
Lately, I find the news exceedingly depressing: so many stories of illness, death and destruction. Adding to the long list of heartbreaking news in 2020 has been the long-expected catastrophes caused by climate change. As I write this, two hurricanes are headed toward landfall in the U.S. one, Marco, has been downgraded, but the second, Laura, is being described as “unsurvivable.”
One of the greatest animal welfare successes in Ottawa was the elimination of the Parliament Hill cat colony seven years ago. The colony was in crisis because the parliamentary precinct was undergoing renovation and the government announced that the colony had to go — one way or another.
With phase three of the reopening in Ontario, I think we are all a bit happier. The reopenings that have allowed me to get a haircut, sit on a patio, and safely shop for the things I need have been very welcome.
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