OHS Reaching Out to Community to Save Dogs From Hot Cars

Rescue and Investigation Services agents have reached out this summer to educate our community on the dangers of leaving animals in hot cars, attending multiple events and handing out more than 1,500 awareness flyers.

But even with these efforts, dogs are still being put in danger by being left in hot cars. From April 1 to July 26, OHS agents have received 245 calls, issued 87 advisory letters, and sent eight warning tickets.

The community does recognize how dangerous it can be, said Insp. Miriam Smith, Rescue and Investigation Services manager, “but unfortunately we are still getting the same number of calls. Don’t take the risk. Leave your pet at home if you’re going to run an errand,” Smith said. “Dogs die in hot cars. Making that decision may save your pet’s life.”

If you see an animal alone in a car with the owner nowhere in sight, call the OHS emergency line at 613-725-1532 or call the police. 

Ottawa Humane Society in Desperate Need of Community’s Help to Avert Kitty Crisis

The Ottawa Humane Society is in urgent need of foster volunteers, adopters and donations to manage a spike in cat numbers and avert a kitty crisis.

The shelter’s cat population is reaching a critical level and the animals need help fast, said Bruce Roney, OHS executive director. The number of cats at the OHS will only climb as the summer continues, he said.  

“We recently had a veterinarian here till midnight just to stay on top of surgeries. We’re working hard to prevent a situation where we’re stacking cages and, where we can, temporarily turning away owners who want to surrender their pets,” Roney said.

The OHS has more than 700 animals in its care at this moment, with more than 60 cats waiting for a foster placement. The OHS needs foster volunteers to take in sick and nursing cats as well as kittens who are too young to be adopted, Roney said.

“Becoming a foster volunteer gives these cats a second chance,” Roney said. “It’s one of three ways we need the community’s help right now, the other two being adoptions and donations.”

Finding permanent homes for the nearly 100 cats available for adoption would alleviate some of the pressure, Roney said. “If you’ve been thinking about it, now’s a perfect time to adopt from us,” he said.

Roney said the high cat population means increased costs for everything from medicine to food for the animals. Summer is the time when costs are at their highest and donations at their lowest, he said.

Please visit www.ottawahumane.ca/kitten to learn more.