Woman Charged After Maggot-Covered Cat Found Near Death Outside Stittsville Home

OHS investigators have charged a Stittsville woman with cruelty-related crimes after a 12-year-old cat was found earlier this month facedown in a flowerbed clinging to life.

The agent first thought the Siamese was dead before he touched her and the cat, named Kia, took a shallow breath. Kia was in such poor condition that she had to be euthanized to end her tremendous suffering.

Agents charged Camille Winter with permitting distress and failing to meet the standards of care. She is scheduled to first appear in court on Oct. 15.

The OHS needs your help to continue investigating cases such as this one. Please make a donation today to fund this important work.

OHS Breaks Record for Most Animals Ever in Foster Care

The OHS has broken a new record — the most foster animals in the care of dedicated volunteers at a single time!

Since July 27, up to 280 animals at any given time have been cared for in foster homes every day. This means more vulnerable animals are getting a second chance with a foster volunteer where they can heal from surgery, nurse young, and grow strong enough for adoption.

In July alone, the OHS placed 242 animals into foster care. This is a 26 per cent increase in placements compared to same time last year and a 30 per cent increase compared to June 2015.

Animals are still in need of additional foster volunteers. The next orientation is scheduled for Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. at the OHS.  If you are interested in joining this life-saving program, visit the OHS website to learn how you can help.  

Supporters like you make the foster program possible. Thanks to you, more animals are getting a second chance. But the need continues to grow every year.

Heat Wave Leads to Busiest August Ever for Calls to Rescue Dogs Left in Hot Cars

Scorching August temperatures mean a summer that started slow has turned into a record-breaking month for calls to the OHS for dogs left in hot cars.

In August, OHS agents answered 117 such calls — almost double the number from last year, at 61, said Miriam Smith, OHS inspector.

“With the heat and the humidity so high, it used to be that people weren’t leaving their pets in hot cars. But this year is different,” Smith said. “This is the first year that we’ve seen people doing this in any temperature, no matter how hot. It’s just that much more dangerous with the humidity and temperatures so high.”

Cooler temperatures in June and July meant fewer calls to the OHS. But this month’s jump means the OHS is on track for the highest number of calls in recent memory.

It’s not clear whether the spike can be pinned on an increased awareness leading to more reports or on more people leaving their dogs in hot cars, Smith said.

So far this year, OHS agents have laid charges against two people for allegedly leaving their dogs in alone in a vehicle on a hot day.