February 13, 2025
Must Read: Another Step Forward in Keeping Animals and Their People SAFE
People will endure the weight of incredible hardships for the sake of others — including their pets. At our pet food bank, some pet owners share that they would choose to feed their pets before feeding themselves. With much of our work at the OHS, our goal is to make sure that pets can stay with the people who love them and to help remove barriers that might cause heartbreak and suffering for a person and their pets.
We know that more Canadians are facing challenges with housing, mental health and intimate partner violence. When you layer on uncertainty about how to care for a beloved pet, these situations, which are already high-pressure and stress-inducing, can feel insurmountable.
That’s why we have made major improvements to our Sheltering Animals From Emergencies (SAFE) program, greatly increasing the time a person in crisis can keep their pet safe at the OHS while they seek the support they need to resolve their crisis.
We have always provided short-term relief for people and pets in need, up to a couple of weeks, but we recognized longer-term support could make a difference for many people who otherwise might have to give up a pet. We are grateful to dozens of our foster volunteers, who are participating in the program by caring for many of these animals in their own homes, when the animal needs longer term housing.
As well, we’re taking the opportunity to set these pets up for a lifetime of good health. Cats and dogs in SAFE will receive essential vaccinations, sterilization where needed, microchips, and health and behaviour support at no cost to their owner. What’s in it for us all? Better animal welfare for our community overall. Many of these animals would otherwise have to be relinquished to the shelter at some point. By keeping them with the owners who love them, we’ll ultimately have more resources for the animals who truly have nobody else.
We have seen a growing need right in Ottawa for this support. From April 2023 to March 2024, we provided for 16 pets through SAFE. Since April 2024, we have already supported 31 pets. I wouldn’t be surprised to see those numbers surpass 100 next year.
Just this week, we accepted the first pets into the new program. If you are in crisis and need support for your pet or know someone in this situation, you can find more information by visiting our website, calling us at 613-725-3166 ext. 419 or emailing safe@ottawahumane.ca.
Robert J. Ingersoll, a famous American orator of the early 1800s, said that “we rise by lifting others.” Especially in these times, as we face political turmoil and economic uncertainty — let us do just that. We are here for our community. Thank you for making that possible.
Sharon Miko
President & CEO