Pre-COVID, the OHS might have had 800 or more animals in our care at any one time. Our shelter capacity is in the neighbourhood of 350. We do not euthanize for space.
So how do we accommodate all these animals? In three ways: managed admission, the Pet Adoption Location (PAL) program, and most importantly, fostering.
More than 40 animals are currently waiting for foster homes at the Ottawa Humane Society, and some have been waiting for more than a month.
“The summer is when our need for foster homes is the greatest,” said Kestrel Wraggett, OHS manager: volunteers. “We’ve never seen wait times like this before. Usually it only takes an animal about three to five days to find a foster home.”
Like many charities, the Ottawa Humane Society envisions a future in which we aren’t needed anymore. For us that means a compassionate future where every animal leads a happy and healthy life, and pets are cared for in a committed and responsible home.
The OHS is still needed, but you can help put us out of business by being a responsible pet owner and encouraging others to follow.
As Canadians, we generally view our country as the refuge for Black Americans escaping slavery in the U.S. via the Underground Railroad. While that is true, we tend to ignore our own vile history of slavery. For more than two hundred years, slavery happened in Canada too.
Last night, seven rabbits were found abandoned on the shared yard of an apartment building near McEwan Avenue in Ambleside and brought to the Ottawa Humane Society.
The OHS had recently declared the week of July 24 to 30 as Rabbit Week in an effort to find homes for the more than 20 rabbits already in its care.
More than 20 rabbits at the Ottawa Humane Society are looking for forever homes. The OHS has declared the week of July 24 to 30 as Rabbit Week in an effort to find homes for these bunnies in need.
“Since the fall, we’ve consistently had more than 20 rabbits available for adoption at any given time,” said Stephen Smith, OHS manager: communications. “They’re being adopted out at a steady pace, but more continue to come into our care.”
I have enjoyed my 22 years at the Ottawa Humane Society so much, I’m surprised there’s not a line up out the door of people wanting to work here. I was thinking that perhaps everyone doesn’t know all the reasons why the OHS is such a great place to be. So, here’s my top 10 list:
After a relatively mild June and July, high temperatures forecasted for Ottawa this week 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 quickly overheat, leading to brain damage and even death.”
After more than 20 years of service for Ottawa’s animals, Bruce Roney, Ottawa Humane Society President & CEO, has announced he will be retiring in November 2022.
“It has been an incredible journey and honour,” said Roney. “The OHS has made leaps and bounds to provide more and more support for the animals and our community. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this team’s work.”
After considerable thought and many emotions, I have decided to retire as President & CEO of the Ottawa Humane Society at the end of November. It’s been an incredible journey and honour to serve the animals and our community for more than two decades.
Leaving a job and people I love has been a hard decision to make. But it’s time. There is more to do, but the reality is there will always be more to do.
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