Thank you, event volunteers, for making our annual My Furry Valentine and Hoppy Easter events such a success! Thank you for helping with greeting, photography, goodie distribution, a scavenger hunt, messages to the animals, and more! If you are interested in joining our events volunteer team and helping to execute OHS fundraisers, contact the OHS volunteer department today!

National Cupcake Day: A big thank you to those of you who helped “bake” a difference by making and selling cupcakes to raise funds to help fight animal cruelty on National Cupcake Day on Feb. 29. Thanks to your help, we raised $37,000!

Join us in celebrating all of your hard work and dedication to helping give Ottawa’s animals a second chance! This year, National Volunteer Week takes place April 10-16, and we look forward to celebrating with all our amazing volunteers. The volunteer department has a variety of events planned, including raffle giveaways, daily treats in the volunteer lounge and foster office, and more!

We are pleased to present two educational workshops:

Tuesday, April 12, from 6:30-8 p.m.: Don't Blame the Cat: How to Behave so Your Cat Will Too. Has Fluffy scratched up your favourite piece of furniture again? Is your cat choosing the floor over the litter box?  Wondering what that constant meowing really means? Attend a workshop presented by feline veterinarian Dr. Glenys Hughes to learn more about what your feline friend is really up to. The workshop is one hour, followed by a 20 minute Q & A period.

Thursday, April 14, from 6:30-8 p.m.: The Future of the OHS. Join Bruce Roney, OHS executive director, as he presents our new five-year strategic plan. Learn more about our values, culture and lifesaving priorities and explore how you’ll continue to make a difference while supporting our new mission and vision. The presentation is one hour, followed by a 20 minute Q & A period.

The celebration continues on Saturday, April 16, from 10-11:30 a.m. at our annual pinning ceremony. Join us for a tasty brunch, connect and mingle with fellow volunteers, and share in our pinning ceremony where we proudly honour some of our longest serving volunteers.

To RSVP to the workshops or brunch, please RSVP to the volunteer department today!

Spring has sprung and so have some new volunteer opportunities. Contact the volunteer department today for more information: 

HOPE Volleyball Summerfest: The OHS is fortunate to be a charity recipient at this year’s festival. On Saturday, July 16, we need your help to fulfill 50 positions to ensure we receive the full donation, including: beverage garden gate admission sales, bicycle compound monitors and site maintenance (beach bar). Volunteers are required to attend a pre-event orientation on July 13 at 6:30 p.m. and will receive a HOPE volunteer T-shirt, lunch or dinner (depending on shift time), parking pass and an invitation to the HOPE volunteer appreciation party!  

Foster Program: We need your help to take vulnerable animals in need of medical and/or behavioural support into your home until they are ready for adoption. Placements can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the animal’s needs, and the foster department will work with you to find the right foster match. Volunteers must have the time to dedicate to their foster animal and be available to transport them to and from the shelter as needed for appointments.

Orphan Kitten Foster Program: Due to their vulnerable nature and special needs, many orphan kittens require a respite from the shelter environment in order to survive and thrive. We’re seeking experienced foster volunteers who are interested in becoming specially trained to care for orphan kittens in their home for up to an eight-week period. Volunteers must have at least one year of experience fostering cats for the OHS to participate in this program.

Last Chance for Furball Tickets!

We are looking forward to hosting our 12th annual FurBall fundraiser on April 9 at the Shaw Centre. Thank you to those of you who have signed up to volunteer at this event! Tickets are still available and can be purchased through our manager: events via telephone at 613-725-3166 ext. 263.

Did you know the OHS has a retail store? We are fortunate to be supported by 12 volunteers who donate their time weekly to help run our retail store. Volunteers help clients with their shopping experience, process sales, count inventory, stock new items, and more. Sonia is one of our longstanding retail volunteers. We asked her why she likes volunteering for the OHS and here’s what she had to say:

“My lifelong love of animals is why I volunteer at the OHS Buddy & Belle Boutique. Knowing that I am helping them in their mission reinforces my belief that it is imperative that we do what we can to make lives of all animals better. This, in turn, makes our lives better and the world better. We are all in this together. Let’s take care of each other.” 

We truly appreciate the time and dedication that Sonia gives to the OHS. The clients, staff and animals enjoy her warm and friendly approach. Thank you Sonia and Buddy & Belle Boutique volunteers for your ongoing gift of time — we could not run the store without you. 

National Volunteer Week is the best time to check out our retail location. Present your volunteer badge at the store April 10-16 and get 10 per cent off your purchase! Interested in joining this volunteer team? Great news — we are open for recruitment! Please contact the volunteer department today for more information.

We are pleased to announce that we now have an opportunity for youth to volunteer with the OHS! We have a limited number of openings this summer for youth, ages 14-18, to volunteer with our "Off-Leash" Kids' Camp program.

If interested, youth applicants must be sponsored by a parent or guardian, complete an application form, have some experience leading group of children, be comfortable handling companion animals (i.e. dogs, cats and small animals) and commit to 40 hours over a one-week period. References will be required. This is a great way to get all 40 mandatory volunteer hours to graduate from high school!

Interested? Contact the volunteer department and complete an application today! We can’t wait to spend the summer with you.