Latest News - Ottawa Humane Society

Cat Found Frozen and Near-death Rushed to Ottawa Humane Society

On a frigid winter morning, Gerda, a two-year-old cat, was rushed to the OHS in critical condition after being discovered frozen on her finder’s porch.

Gerda’s body temperature and blood sugar were too low to be measured.

Feb 23, 2021

Equality for Cats and Dogs in a Little Ontario Town

In late January, Prescott, Ontario Town Council voted to make cats equal to dogs. The way they have done it is perhaps not the way that you think. You see, council updated the town’s 1994 animal control bylaw and now, owners can be charged $110 if their dog or cat is running at large and owners also could be fined if either species of pet is not licensed or not wearing its tag. The poop-and-scoop law will also apply to cats as well as dogs under the new bylaw. Owners can face a $210 fine if they don’t pick up after their animal on other people’s property or in public spaces.

Feb 18, 2021

Family Day and Half-full Shelters

COVID-19 has impacted the OHS and most shelters in North America. For a variety of pandemic-related reasons, most of us are admitting fewer animals than we did pre-pandemic. But this was becoming a trend in most shelters years before any of us had heard of COVID-19. The question is why. I believe most animal welfare professionals would agree there are multiple reasons, but that the biggest factor is a shift in our relationship with our pets.

Feb 11, 2021

A Pandemic of Impatience

I’ve been writing a lot lately about people acquiring pets during the pandemic. While I am still not terribly concerned about some aspects of this phenomenon, I’m increasingly alarmed about the soaring demand for pets and the effects of this demand.

Feb 05, 2021

The Dark Side of that Puppy You Just Bought: Part Two

Earlier in the month, I wrote about the increased demand for pets during the health crisis and concerns that the demand is fueling international importation, largely unenforced by government, and is leading to the death and suffering of animals during transport or in their country of origin.

Jan 28, 2021

Keeping Pets Safe During Cold Weather

In November, the Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) relaunched its Emergency Partner Support Program, providing financial and other support to 22 partners in the animal welfare community.

Jan 28, 2021

Emaciated Dog with Chain Collar Embedded in Neck Finds Shelter at Ottawa Humane Society

In the late hours of Sunday, Jan. 10, bylaw officers delivered an emaciated dog in critical condition to the Ottawa Humane Society.

Found wandering the rural roads of Dunrobin, the Newfoundland mix, who the OHS has named Jake, was dragging a chain attached to a chain collar embedded in his neck.

Jan 21, 2021

Domestic Abuse and Pets in a Pandemic

As an essential worker, I come to work each day and have throughout the health crisis. I feel safe doing so as my workplace has taken all the recommended steps and beyond for my and my co-worker’s safety. Moreover, when I leave work, I go to a home that is safe both emotionally and physically.

Jan 21, 2021

A Great Comfort

Dewey 1898-1910

He was only a cat but he was human enough to be a great comfort in hours of loneliness and pain.

Most of you with pets will likely have experienced this: you are lying on the couch, covered in a blanket, a box of Kleenex and various medications scattered near you.

Jan 14, 2021

The Dark Side of that Puppy You Just Bought

There continues to be a regular flood of media concern about the “pandemic puppy” phenomenon. If you haven’t followed the story, it boils down to this: thousands of people who are bored and lonely during the lockdown are rushing out to buy or adopt puppies, and when the health crisis is over, all these puppies and dogs are going to be dumped in animal shelters.

Jan 07, 2021