With temperatures dropping, OHS agents say a tiny kitten rescued from a car engine is an early reminder of the threat engines pose to cats and wildlife during the winter months.

On the morning of Oct. 14 an OHS agent was called to the parking lot of Merivale Medical Imaging after receiving a report that a kitten was stuck in the engine of a car. The caller explained that the kitten was originally heard in another car and when the hood was opened she jumped out and climbed into the engine of the car where she was now stuck.

The caller assisted the agent by popping the hood and the agent was able to gently pull the small brown tabby out of the engine. When examined on intake to the shelter, the kitten, named Louise after the finder, was uninjured. Now safe and warm at the OHS, Louise will soon be spayed before heading to the Adoption Centre to find a new home.

OHS agents receive many reports of animals stuck in engines during the winter months and not all have a happy ending.

“Animals are drawn to car engines because they are seeking warmth and then they can get tangled in the motor pipes, including the fan belt,” said Insp. Miriam Smith.
There are precautions residents can take to help keep animals safe:

 • Before starting your engine, bang on the hood of the car or
   honk the horn to scare away animals.
 • If possible, park your car in a garage.
 • Pet owners should keep their cats indoors and not allow
   them to roam, especially in the cold.

If you see an animal in distress, please call the OHS emergency line at 613-725-1532.

Doing  More for the Animals With Dental Care at the OHS

Dental disease can be a big problem for cats and dogs. By age three, the majority will have some degree of it, potentially leading to some serious health problems, such as pain and infection, jaw fractures and even systemic consequences affecting the kidneys, heart and liver.

Vets at the OHS see many animals with varying degrees of dental disease every day, from broken teeth in young animals to advanced periodontal disease in older pets. For these reasons, the OHS treats animals needing dental care before they go to their forever homes.

In just the past six month, OHS veterinarians and technicians have performed dental procedures ranging from cleanings to extractions on 337 animals, an increase from 320 animals during the same time last year. Thanks to you, more animals are receiving the vital dental care they need to go on to live happy and healthy lives.

Help us do even more for the animals. This next six months will have more than 350 more animals in need of dental care at the OHS — give them the help they need too.