Capital Pride: Volunteers joined the OHS in celebrating its PRIDE by decorating our annual float and marching in the Capital Pride Parade on Sunday, Aug. 23. Thank you for supporting this fun-filled day in our community — we could not have done it without your spirit and enthusiasm!

Wiggle Waggle Volunteers: A big thank you to the amazing volunteer team that helped support this year’s Wiggle Waggle Walkathon/Run for the Animals and a very special thank you to all committee members for your countless hours of support and dedication leading up to the event, as well as on event day. Many of you spent hours in the pouring rain, with little protection from the elements when we were then forced to evacuate this year’s event — the first time in our history! Please accept our sincerest gratitude for supporting the event and braving the terrible weather conditions. Despite the terrible weather, thanks to your help, we raised $256,000 to help the more than 10,000 animals that enter our doors each year!

Off-Leash Day Camp Volunteers: This summer our "Off-Leash" Day Camp hosted a record-breaking number of campers over nine busy weeks. This popular camp teaches six to 11-year-old kids about animal care and welfare through fun-filled activities and animal handling. Thank you, OHS camp volunteers, for helping to instill important concepts to more than 367 youth in our community and for helping create our future generation of responsible pet owners.

For a number of reasons, including legal liability, all OHS volunteers must be over the age of 18.

Although we can't welcome youth to volunteer for the OHS, there are still several ways our humane leaders of tomorrow can get involved, learn something new and make a difference for the animals:

We encourage young people to fundraise to contribute to caring for the animals. Hosting an event and asking for donations for the animals is a great way to help! For more information, check out our events page for ideas.

We welcome younger folks to participate in our "Off-Leash" Camp Program. We also host birthday parties at our facility.

We offer a Humane Education School Program where volunteers and a companion animals visit classrooms and deliver a variety of presentations. This is a great way for students to learn more about animal care and welfare.

Most recently, we are pleased to present our Animal Advocate Program. On Take Your Kids to Work Day (Nov. 4, 2015) and on Feb. 1, 2016 the OHS is looking forward to welcoming youth (ages 13 - 16) to sign-up to participate in our interactive secondary school PD day programming. This is a great opportunity for youth who are interested in animal welfare to learn all about the OHS and a wide variety of animal-related careers.

It's PAW-ty Time!

Attention all dog walking and canine enrichment volunteers! Join us for an evening of laughing and learning at our volunteer appreciation event on Oct. 27. We look forward to presenting an educational workshop on dog stress, body language and canine enrichment over tasty snacks, accompanied by some raffle prizes. It’s not too late to sign up! Please RSVP today!

The chilly weather may be upon us, but things are only warming up for the volunteer department! If you are interested in any of the positions below, please contact the volunteer department today for more details.

Santa Pet Pics: “Santa Paws is coming to town…” and we need your help to capture his best photos yet! We’re seeking volunteers for a number of roles, including: photographer, photographer assistant, photo printer, registration, and team lead. Volunteer shifts are available Dec. 5-6, Dec. 11-13 and Dec. 19-20.  

Holiday Open House & Family Events: The OHS is hosting our Holiday Open House for donors on Nov. 29 and our family friendly Critter Christmas on Dec. 6. To make these events successful, we’re seeking volunteers for a number of roles at both events, including greeters, food attendants, and more!

Leadership Education with Adolescents and Dogs (LEAD): The LEAD program helps make shelter dogs more adoptable and positively shapes the lives of vulnerable youth. Volunteers act as mentors for their youth partner and help the young people to train their shelter dog. We are looking for volunteers to participate in this life-changing program. Volunteers must be comfortable and have experience working with at-risk youth, be comfortable working with dogs, and must have daytime availability for a two week period, a few times each year.

On Sept. 29, the OHS happily honoured some of our most dedicated volunteers at our annual general meeting.

Eleanor Prowse Volunteer Service Award — given to an outstanding volunteer for tireless devotion to the animals in our care. We proudly presented our annual award to Sandra and Barb Smith. Sandra and Barb are equally deserving of this award as they support so many OHS initiatives, work as a go-to ambassador team and encourage others to volunteer with the OHS.

Sandra joined us in 2007 and has participated in several programs including events, OHS ambassadors, feline enrichment, orphan kitten program, foster program, holiday delivery program, BLAV program and more. She has helped more than 27 dogs through the foster program, and has dedicated close to 2,000 hours to helping the animals in our care.

Sandra Smith with OHS Board Chair Chris Tacit

Barb joined in us in 2008 as a volunteer and has participated in several programs including events, OHS ambassadors, dog walking, orphan kitten program, foster program, holiday delivery program, and more. She has helped more than 149 cats and kittens through the foster program, and has dedicated more than a thousand hours to helping the animals in our care.

Barb Smith with OHS Board Chair Chris Tacit

Siobhan Sheflin Memorial Award — proudly presented to an outstanding foster volunteer for their help providing animals with a second chance at a loving, forever home. This year’s recipient was Tom Shirriff.Since joining the program in the summer of 2010, Tom has helped more than 122 cats and kittens get a second chance at a happy and healthy future. He rarely takes breaks and almost always has a cat or kitten in his care. In many cases, Tom takes on multiple felines at the same time.  His compassion, dedication and kindness make him a clear winner for this year’s award. Tom is also a generous monthly PAW donor.

Tom Shirriff with OHS Board Chair Chris Tacit

Rohit Saxena was presented with the OHS Community Spirit Award, given to an individual for demonstrating tireless devotion to the animals in our care and for contributing above and beyond to achieve the goals of the OHS. Rohit has been a dedicated OHS volunteer photographer for more than five years. His photography has made an amazing difference in animal lives, displaying their personalities and sparking interest, leading to forever homes. Rohit’s innovative and creative approach has generated international attention highlighting the work we do here.

Rohit Saxena with OHS Board Chair Chris Tacit

Thank you OHS volunteers for helping change animal lives with your talents.

Reminder: Foster Department Seasonal Hours Change

With the warmer weather winding down, our foster department returns to its winter schedule. As of Nov. 9, 2015, hours are as follows:

Please note: If you require emergency assistance outside of these operating hours, please follow the emergency protocol on page three of your Volunteer Foster Manual. Can’t find your copy? Click here to receive another one.