On June 23, the OHS happily celebrated all of the hard work and dedication of our Outreach volunteers (humane educators, OHS ambassadors, Leadership with Adolescent and Dogs [LEAD] volunteers, Off-Leash Camp volunteers and translation volunteers) at our annual Outreach Volunteer Appreciation Event. Did you know last fiscal year, OHS volunteer humane educators gave 421 presentations, reaching 10,721 students?

Thank you, OHS Outreach volunteers, for creating a more humane community for Ottawa’s animals — we could not do it without you!

Our 28th annual Wiggle Waggle Walkathon and 4th annual Run for the Animals is taking place on Sunday, Sept. 11 at Queen Juliana Park. This event is the OHS’s biggest annual fundraiser and we still have nearly 100 volunteer positions to fill!

We’re still seeking volunteers to fill important roles. To sign-up, please contact our volunteer department today! Did you know that as a volunteer, you can also set up a sponsor page? Visit our website to get started!

Visit the OHS website to register or sponsor a walker. Signing up is quick and simple — you can start helping the animals today by asking your friends and family to sponsor you.

OHS event volunteers have been busy throughout the summer participating in several off-site events. Off-site events help raise awareness of the work and services we offer to our community, as well as bring in additional funds for the animals. OHS event volunteers helped support our annual Garden Party, represented the OHS at West Fest, Veg Fest, the Goulbourn Museum Exhibit launch, Family Fun Day at Lynwood Park and a Secret Life of Pets movie launch, as well as this year’s HOPE Volleyball Summerfest. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, these events helped to raise more than $57,000 for the animals in our care!

If you are interested in joining the OHS event volunteer team, please contact the volunteer department today!

Summer is quickly coming to an end but we have no shortage of volunteer positions! If you are looking for a new way to help the animals, check out our current volunteer opportunities and contact the volunteer department today!

OHS Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic

• MSNS Intake Assistant: The OHS is very excited to present Ottawa’s first Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic! This mobile clinic will help reduce the overpopulation of cats in our community by offering subsidized sterilization services to animals in need. We are looking for volunteers to help support the morning intake processes for the Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic, at various locations in our community. Volunteers are responsible for greeting clients (who are admitting their pets), supervising client lineups, assisting with paperwork as needed, interacting with clients and answering questions.
• Outreach Canvasser: We are in need of volunteer canvassers who are interested in promoting OHS Outreach services in our community. Volunteers are required to canvass neighbourhoods in pairs, going door-to-door to promote and raise awareness about OHS services. Volunteers will also converse with neighbourhood residents to develop positive relationships between the OHS and potential clients, answer questions regarding the Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic and microchip events, distribute OHS materials, and schedule clinic appointments as asked.
• Humane Education School Program: We are in need of both English and French-speaking handlers for the upcoming school year. To participate in this program, your owned canine companion would have to successfully pass a temperament assessment to ensure they are safe to enter school-environments and work with children. If you enjoy working with children and animals, have the perfect canine companion, and want to help build the next generation of responsible pet owners, this is the program for you!

What are zoonoses? Diseases or infections that can be spread from an animal to a human. All animals, like people, are capable of harbouring many different diseases. Sometimes they get sick from these diseases but sometimes they can be carrying disease agents without actually becoming ill. 

Anyone can contract zoonoses but those who have weakened or suppressed immune systems are at a greater risk and can develop a more severe illness. It is important to be aware of risks so you can protect yourself!

How are zoonoses spread? Direct contact with the infected animal or their body fluids, touching an object or person (called a fomite) that has previously been in contact with the infected animal, inhaling aerosolized disease particles and/or via ingesting the infectious agent.

What does the OHS do to minimize risk?

• Treats all animals for common parasites (intestinal worms, fleas);
• Performs health exams on each animal upon arrival at the shelter;
• Isolates clinically infectious animals;
• Follows strict sanitation protocols;
• Reduces the risk of bites and scratches by temperament-testing animals;
• Limits the amount of exposure that volunteers have to animals of unknown temperament or health.

What can you do to minimize risk?

• WASH YOUR HANDS!!! – after touching each animal and before leaving the shelter or touching your face;
• Use alcohol-based hand gels or disposable gloves;
• Do not eat or drink while working in animal areas.
• Talk to your doctor to identify your personal risk factors.

Clinic recovery volunteers monitor and soothe animals as they recuperate from surgery at the OHS Clinic. They also observe and monitor respiration, gum color, movements and recovery time and perform the occasional general grooming of patients.

Kathryn Johnson has been volunteering with the clinic since April 2011. She is an invaluable member of the team and is the go-to volunteer to train new program volunteers. We asked Kathryn why she enjoys volunteering for this program, and here’s what she had to say:

“I thoroughly enjoy working with the staff in the clinic and looking after and caring for the cats, dogs and rabbits after surgery. As a recovery volunteer, it’s a wonderful, challenging and very rewarding job. It just warms my heart to know that from here the animals go to adoptions and then to their forever homes.”

Thank you Kathryn for years of comfort and support to the animals in our care!

If you have small animal (cats/dogs/rabbits) handling experience, are comfortable working in a surgical environment with post-operative animals that may be disoriented, have a high attention to detail and are able to kneel and stand for the duration of a four hour shift, contact the volunteer department for more information today.

The OHS Volunteer department welcomed Stephanie Youngdale to the team as CSR: volunteers in June.

Stephanie has more than five years of experience in the animal care and welfare community, including six months experience as an animal care attendant for the OHS. She loves all animals but has a special place in her heart for those with special needs. She said she cherishes and values the important work that volunteers provide to the animals in our care.

Stephanie is quickly getting up to speed with the ever-evolving needs of the volunteer department. Her primary duties include overseeing and scheduling for the Canine Enrichment and Brightening Lives programs, but she is also available to assist with other departmental needs.

Please join us in welcoming Stephanie to the team. If you are onsite, feel free to drop-in and introduce yourself — she’d love to meet you!