As it’s the most wonderful time of the year, why not consider giving a little extra time? We are looking for volunteers to help support the following programs:

Foster: Did you know that in addition to our in-house population, the OHS has between 100-300 animals in foster at any given time? We rely heavily on the support of foster volunteers to provide temporary in-home care for some of our most vulnerable animals who are not yet ready for adoption. The goal of the OHS foster program is to provide as many animals as possible with a second chance for a bright and healthy future, and we need your help! Have you considered becoming a foster volunteer? Training, food, medication, veterinary care and support are provided to foster volunteers on an on-going basis, to help you temporarily take care of a furry friend. We currently have dozens of animals in need of a foster home today. If you have the time, please consider signing up to support this life-saving program! To apply and get registered for our next orientation, please visit our website.

BINGO: As reported in our last issue, we are still looking for Bingo volunteers. Volunteers are needed to support this unique fundraiser, at the Overbrook Bingo Hall at 1150 Lola St, on Sunday evenings from 6-9:30 p.m.. Proceeds raised give Ottawa’s animals a second chance at a bright and healthy future. Volunteers help by selling BINGO sheets, assisting with registration, providing customer service to guests and assisting with event logistics. All volunteers will receive training before their first shift. Learn more on our website.

Carolyn Beaton has been a dedicated volunteer since joining our team in January 2017 and has been instrumental in assisting our Mobile Spay and Neuter Services (MSNS) team. Carolyn is both an intake assistant — which entails greeting clients and admitting their felines to the mobile clinic — and scheduling volunteer — which entails calling clients to schedule or remind them of their appointment. She routinely brings new and creative ideas to improve client experience.

This is what Carolyn has to say about her role: “I enjoy volunteering my time to give back to the community, and I love working with cats and dogs, and ensuring they have a happy and healthy life. I especially like volunteering with the Mobile Spay and Neuter Services, as the Ottawa Humane Society delivers an outstanding, inexpensive, and practical process that provides feline spaying and neutering services for those who could not otherwise afford it.”

Our MSNS volunteer team is still in need of support. If you are interested in doing face-to-face work with clients, helping admit their animals to our mobile clinic throughout the city, or would prefer to assist making phone calls to schedule or remind clients of upcoming appointments, please contact Ashley B, manager: volunteers to discuss these opportunities further.

Critter Christmas Family Event

A HUGE thank you goes out to our event volunteers for helping with our busiest event season yet! Over the past two months, event volunteers have been an integral part of our success, supporting both on-and off-site events, including:

• Howl-o-Ween Family Event;
• Girl Guides Event;
• Senior’s Day;
• Rock for Public Service;
• Pet Expo;
• Holiday Open House;
• Black Friday Event;
• Critter Christmas Family Event;
• Santa Pet Pics, and more!

Thank you for your countless hours of support! Events not only help us raise funds to continue to help the animals in our care, they also increase our brand awareness in the community. We continue to need new volunteers to help with this growing team. If you like participating in events, meeting new people, all while helping to raise funds for the animals, please consider joining our event volunteer team today!

The OHS will have modified hours over the holiday season for our Adoption Centre and foster department. Please connect with your program lead regarding your schedule throughout the holiday season.

On behalf of the staff, and more importantly the animals, we would like to wish all volunteers a magical holiday season. Thank you for your on-going gift of time, compassion, skill and support — you are making a difference in the lives of all animals in our community.

Searching for the perfect holiday gift for your loved one or pet? Look no further, as we’ve got the deal for you! The OHS is excited to announce that our retail store, the Buddy & Belle Boutique, is continuing to offer all OHS volunteers a 10 per cent discount on store merchandise. Prior to completion of your purchase, simply show your volunteer ID badge or provide your name to the store clerk to get your discount. Please note: the discount applies to all merchandise, excluding cat/dog food and already discounted items.

The volunteer department held a compassion fatigue workshop at the OHS, on Nov. 15. This presentation familiarized attendees with compassion fatigue and burnout for those who give their time to the helping profession. The session focused on identifying personal warning signs/symptoms and offered effective strategies for coping and prevention. As a result of the significant interest in this topic, we will be hosting this workshop again in 2018. If you are interested in being placed on a waitlist, contact the volunteer department to sign up today.

Thank you to all canine enrichment volunteers who submitted feedback through our annual survey. We want to let you know that we’ve heard your feedback and are evaluating our existing processes to make your experience that much better! If you have additional feedback about your experience as a canine enrichment volunteer, please do not hesitate to contact Lindsey, CSR: volunteers.

This winter, you can bake cupcakes, raise funds AND help animals! Monday, Feb. 26 is National Cupcake Day. The concept is simple: a host baker signs up to “bake” a difference by fundraising and collecting donations from friends, family, co-workers and customers. On Feb. 26 the baker supplies yummy cupcakes and collects donations from their supporters! Together with your help, we can make Monday, Feb. 26 the sweetest and most purr-fect day for Ottawa’s animals! Visit www.ottawahumane.ca/nationalcupcakeday to register today.

HO! HO! HO! Santa Paws is still at the OHS and he can’t wait to meet you and your furry friends! If you haven’t visited already, please bring your human and furry family members to have your portrait taken with Santa and help Ottawa's animals. Funds raised go directly to supporting the animals in our care.
Dates and times of photo sessions are available here.

The annual lottery season is upon us and we need your help to make this year’s event the biggest and best ever! We are asking volunteers to sell Warm Heart’s Raffle tickets on behalf of the OHS, to help us reach our goal — to sell out!

The grand prize draw takes place on Feb. 14, 2018 and the prizes are as follows:

• First place: $5,000
• Second place: $3,000
• Third place: $2,000

If you are interested in selling tickets on behalf of the OHS, please contact Ashley B, manager: volunteers for more information. All volunteer ticket sellers will have their name placed in a draw to win a pair of tickets to our 2018 Garden Party! If you are not interested in selling tickets, you can still support the lottery by purchasing your tickets today.

Thank you in advance for helping support this important event where all proceeds generated support the close to 10,000 animals we help every year.