In-person or virtual options available
Newcomers Program
Moving to a new country comes with many adjustments. Along with differences in language, climate and culture, newcomers may also encounter different expectations and practices around pet ownership, wildlife and the role animals play in everyday life.
The OHS Newcomers Program was developed in collaboration with community partners to help newcomers learn more about animals in their new community. Through engaging presentations, participants are introduced to topics related to pets, wildlife, animal welfare and the programs and services available through the Ottawa Humane Society.
Presentations are designed to provide practical information, answer common questions and create a welcoming space for participants to learn and ask questions.
What Participants Will Learn
Depending on the presentation, participants may learn about:
- Pet ownership and responsible animal care in Canada
- Understanding the role of pets in Canadian communities
- Basic animal behaviour and body language
- Interacting safely and respectfully with animals
- Urban wildlife and how to respond to wildlife encounters
- Animal welfare and the role of the Ottawa Humane Society
- OHS programs, services and community resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can book a Newcomers presentation?
Presentations can be booked by community organizations and groups that provide programs or services to newcomers to Canada.
Is there a cost for the presentation?
OHS Newcomers presentations are available to community groups free of charge. We happily accept donations, both financial and in-kind. For in-kind donation ideas, please visit our wish list.
Is my organization eligible to book a Newcomers presentation?
To participate in the program, partner organizations must:
- Be based in Ottawa
- Serve newcomers in the community
- Be willing to promote the presentation to their clientele
- Have a staff member on site to supervise and support participants during the presentation
- If booking an in-person presentation: Have access to an appropriate space to host the presentation or be able to transport their clients to the OHS.
· If booking a virtual presentation: Have a reliable internet connection, a screen to display the presentation, and audio equipment to hear and participate.
If the organization does not meet the listed requirements, their booking may be cancelled at the discretion of the OHS.
What languages are presentations available in?
Presentations are available in English and French. While we will do our best to accommodate requests for a French-speaking facilitator, availability cannot be guaranteed.
If your group requires a presentation in another language, the partner organization will be responsible for providing a certified translator or interpreter to support the session.
Can an animal visit be included with the presentation?
A companion animal visit may be included upon request but cannot be guaranteed and is subject to availability.
What is the cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel an upcoming presentation, please contact the coordinator: outreach at outreach@ottawahumane.ca as soon as possible. Rescheduling to another date is subject to availability.
The OHS reserves the right to cancel a presentation at its discretion. If this occurs, the coordinator: outreach will contact the partner organization directly.
Who is responsible for setting up the virtual meeting?
For virtual presentations, the partner organization is responsible for creating the meeting link, remaining the host of the meeting, and sending the link to outreach@ottawahumane.ca before the presentation.