Latest News - Ottawa Humane Society

Another Welcome Return

There has been a very welcome sight outside our shelter the past week: our mobile spay/neuter vehicle. In preparation for rolling our Mobile Spay/Neuter Services out into the community, we have been engaging in a series of dry runs — sterilizing OHS animals for adoption, rather than owned pets. We want to make sure that everything runs smoothly and safely for both animals and staff.

Apr 21, 2022

What Your Dog’s Body Language is Really Telling You

This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. As a humane education coordinator at the OHS, whether teaching kids or adults, one of my most important lessons is how to prevent dog bites.

The big secret? Communication.

Dogs constantly communicate with us. They nuzzle for a scratch, whine for food, or even steal some socks to start a game of chase.

Apr 14, 2022

Battered and Bruised Great Dane Puppy in the Care of the Ottawa Humane Society

Last week, Scooby, an injured, nine-week-old great Dane puppy, was brought to the Ottawa Humane Society.

Scooby was yelping in pain when he arrived at the OHS. OHS staff examined the pup and found his jaw was red and swollen, but that wasn’t his only problem. X-rays revealed that he also had several broken ribs. The slightest movement or even simply breathing caused him a tremendous amount of pain.

Apr 13, 2022

Decisions in a Pandemic

The Ottawa Humane Society strives to ensure that everything we do is informed by six cultural values: safety, respect, service, communication, excellence, and diversity. We promote them, hire for them, and measure performance against them.

Making decisions is more challenging in a crisis, and we — and the whole world — have been in crisis for two years. Our values, especially safety and service, have helped us through.

Apr 07, 2022

Ottawa Humane Society Supports Partners in Animal Rescue

In early 2020, the Ottawa Humane Society created the OHS Partner Support Program to support local animal rescue partners and help provide for Ottawa’s animals throughout the public health crisis.

Mar 31, 2022

Spring has Sprung

Spring warmth came a bit early this year. The warmth and longer days, along with the lifting of most of the restrictions we have been living under for the last two years, have felt like a return to life.

Mar 31, 2022

A Simple, Life-Saving Idea

Last Friday was pretty exciting at the Ottawa Humane Society. We had a fire truck visit. And the fire chief too. They visited to help launch a life-saving partnership.

Ottawa Fire Services and the OHS have teamed up to save lives by creating and distributing a simple decal. In a fire or other life-threatening emergency, the decal tells firefighters and other first responders that there are pets in a home; it tells them how many pets and what species need to be rescued.

Mar 24, 2022

Ottawa Humane Society and Ottawa Fire Services Partner to Protect Pets from Emergencies

The Ottawa Fire Services and the Ottawa Humane Society have partnered to help keep pets safe in the event of an emergency.

A “Save our Pets” emergency decal is available at no cost to anyone who would like one.

Mar 23, 2022

A Breath of Life

Before the pandemic, we had annually hosted March Break Camp for kids in our education centre. Having children exploring the adoption centre, learning about animals and how to care for them, and just having fun and being kids was a breath of life after winter’s doldrums.

Mar 17, 2022

Brutally Wounded Cat Rushed to Ottawa Humane Society

Last week, Harvey, a brown tabby cat, was rushed to the Ottawa Humane Society with a severe wound on his face.

“There’s no nice way to describe it, it was horrific,” said Dr. Shelley Hutchings, OHS Chief Veterinarian. “The left side of his face was hanging off, exposing his teeth and gums.”

Mar 15, 2022