Search Results for: wildlife

Lesson Plans for Teachers

Are you looking to expand on our humane education topics in your classroom? The Ottawa Humane Society offers a variety of free bilingual and curriculum-linked lesson plans for elementary school classes. Each lesson plan includes a presentation, grading rubric, interactive group activity and individual craft. Click on the links below to download a lesson plan today! Current topics and grade levels available include:

*At this time, we are still finalizing the French versions of our JK/SK-Grade 3 lesson plans. These will be available online by during the summer of 2019.

For more information about our humane education program and the online lesson plans, please contact our coordinator: humane education by email at humaneeducation@ottawahumane.ca or by phone at 613-725-3166, ext. 235.

2018 Media Releases

View 2017 press releases

2017 Media Releases

2016 Press releases

 

Important Animal Welfare Update: Statement from the Ottawa Humane Society

We have an update on some changes coming to the way the Ottawa Humane Society operates in our community.

The first is that City of Ottawa Bylaw Services will be transporting injured stray domestic pets and wildlife effective January 5, 2017, rather than OHS. As of that date, Ottawa residents should call 311 for help with injured stray animals and wildlife. Animals will continue to be brought to the OHS for care.

This significant change will be better for the animals. It will cut down on the confusion in our community we saw this past year about who to call if an animal needs emergency transportation to the OHS. It will reduce an inefficient system, so that we can focus efforts on what will do more for animals.

Our first priority has always been, and will continue to be, the animals in our community. The OHS will continue its work rescuing animals once they arrive at the shelter, with lifesaving veterinary care, food and shelter. We will continue to work with our partners in wildlife rehabilitation to save as many injured wild animals as possible.

The second change is that we will be increasing our intervention with dogs with behaviour issues, to help more of them find new homes. And, we will work more on advocacy, championing animal welfare for our community. Planning is underway to identify the resources available and the models to use to achieve both goals. Investment in both is expected in our new fiscal year in April.

These changes stem in part from incidents in 2016. You may recall that year, we spoke up when the OSPCA tried to take away the voice of our community — your voice — in animal welfare by taking away our voting rights. We joined six other humane societies in court to get back your vote. The OSPCA responded by stripping our officers of their power to investigate animal cruelty. Last month, a judge dismissed our case. Obviously we don’t agree with the outcome, but for the good of the animals, we will not be pursuing an appeal but will be focusing on ensuring a better future for Ottawa’s animals.

Thank you for your understanding over the past while. With your support, we remain committed to integrity in everything we do for the animals and for our community. This promise was reaffirmed last year, when we achieved prestigious accreditation from Imagine Canada’s Standards Program, recognizing excellence in non-profit accountability, transparency and governance.

We’ll continue to keep you updated as our planning moves forward to become an even stronger voice for the animals in our community.

Bruce Roney
Executive Director

Wildlife Problems

If you find a sick or injured wild animal, here are the steps you can take. If you need more help, call the City of Ottawa at 311.

For large wildlife, such as deer, moose and bear, please call Ottawa Police Services at 613-236-1222.

As urban development encroaches on previously untamed areas, more human-wildlife conflicts result. These animals have largely managed to adapt well to our presence. Humans, on the other hand, are still mastering this living arrangement. It is important for people to understand the need for effective, lasting, and humane solutions to occasional conflicts with wildlife.

Here are the solutions to some common wildlife problems:

If you can’t find the answer to your wildlife question and it’s not an emergency, contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 ext. 221, or send us an email.

Emergencies

If an animal’s life is in immediate distress as a result of cruelty or neglect, please contact the police at 911. For non-urgent calls about animal neglect or cruelty, please contact the Ottawa Police Service at 613-236-1222 ext. 7300.

If you find a sick or injured stray animal with no owner in sight, or a wild animal, call the City of Ottawa at 311.

For non-urgent wildlife issues, click here.

Emergency clinics in Ottawa

Once an animal is rescued, it is brought to the Ottawa Humane Society or a veterinary clinic (outside of regular OHS hours) for an exam and to be stabilized. If the animal has extensive injuries and is in immediate distress, and where the owner cannot be located within a reasonable amount of time, the animal may be humanely euthanized to prevent further suffering. All decisions on treatment and euthanasia are made in consultation with a veterinarian.

The OHS makes every attempt to find the owner — but please do your part by ensuring that your animal companions are identified with a microchip, collar and tag. If the animal’s owner is located, he or she is required to reimburse the OHS for all expenses incurred in caring for their pet.

If you have been bitten or scratched by a stray animal, please seek immediate medical attention and contact the City of Ottawa at 311.

Another Industry’s Time Has Come

Everyone who cares about animals was disappointed to see the charges against Marineland dropped last week. Later, we were alarmed to hear about yet another round of complaints about Papanack Zoo stemming from shocking undercover footage of the conditions there.

Papanack is closer to home. In fact, it is just outside of the jurisdiction of the OHS in an area long-served by the OSPCA. Of course, many of the zoo’s visitors are from Ottawa, and we have received many dozen complaints about it over my 17 years at the OHS; all were passed on to the OSPCA when received.

Across the country most complaints about these profit-making operations are based on the kind of limited protections available to animals under current legislation, such as access to food, water, shelter, etc. But here’s the thing: these issues are beside the point. Let’s move beyond whether animals in zoos and aquaria are cared for to a minimally acceptable standard and agree that their time is over. Like their travelling cousins, the circuses, the time of zoos and aquaria has passed. We know better now. Animals need more than food and water. They need to be with their own species. They need to live in social groups. They need to express natural behaviours.

That is why we are supporting the call from our national partner, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, for the formation of a federal/provincial task force to study the high number of animal deaths in Canada’s zoos, aquaria and other captive wildlife facilities and to determine a new animal protection framework for the industry. We hope that this process will result in real change. And, I hope, one day the end to these inherently inhumane businesses.

Bruce Roney
Executive Director

Primary Level Field Trip Program

OHS field trips are designed to provide students in Grades 1-6 with educational and interactive on-site programming, where they can learn all about the OHS, responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. Through a combination of educational outreach and curriculum-linked humane education topics, students will be engaged in understanding the importance of animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. Field trips are available to teachers in the Ottawa area, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., throughout the school year. Field trips are three hours in length and include a half hour lunch break for students at 11:30 a.m. Field trips cater to groups ranging in size from 20 students to 60 students, and are available in French and English.

The cost for a field trip is $5 per student; teachers and parent volunteers are free. Payment is due on day of the field trip; all methods of payment are accepted. Invoicing is not available, but a formal receipt can be provided if required by the school administrator.

Field Trip Programming

Time Group One               (15-20 students) Group Two                  (15-20 students) Group Three               (15-20 students)
9: 45 to 10 a.m. Students Arrive at the OHS
10 to 10:30 a.m. Welcome to the OHS Presentation
10:30 to 11 a.m. Behind-the-Scenes Tour Cat Gallery Visit Small Animal Visit
11 to 11:30 a.m. Small Animal Visit Behind-the-Scenes Tour Cat Gallery Visit
11:30 to 12 p.m. LUNCH BREAK
12 to 12:30 p.m. Cat Gallery Visit Small Animal Visit Behind-the-Scenes Tour
12:30 to 1 p.m. Dog Buddies Presentation & Volunteer Dog Visit (Grades 1-3)

Co-existing with Urban Wildlife Presentation & Volunteer Dog Visit (Grades 4-6)
1 to 1:15 p.m. Students Leave the OHS

For more information, or to book a field trip for your class please contact our supervisor: programs by email at programs@ottawahumane.ca, or by phone (613) 725-3166 ext. 298 or fill out our online request form!

Kindergarten Resource Kit

Free presentations in English and French for elementary, intermediate and high school students

Why Teach Humane Education in the Classroom?

Humane Education delves into something that all kids love — animals! The OHS’s Humane Education Program:

  • Untitled-1promotes and encourages character development by promoting respect and empathy toward people, animals and the environment;
  • assists children in developing compassion, a sense of justice and a respect for the value of all living beings;
  • provides the knowledge and understanding necessary for children to resolve conflict situations and make responsible choices;
  • fosters a sense of responsibility on the part of children to make choices and act upon their personal beliefs.

Our Humane Education program is inclusive, and meant for children and youth of all abilities.

FEE: All humane education presentations are complimentary and intended to aid current curriculums. We happily accept donations — both financial and in-kind. For in-kind donation ideas, please visit our Wish List.

Do you teach students who are new to Canada? Ask us about our presentations for New Canadian students.

Scroll down to read more about the available presentations.

Rhinos, Fundraising, a Little Thought and a Little Research

My Facebook feed declared last night that the Western Black Rhinoceros had been declared officially extinct. I was sad. I have never seen one and now never would. The world — my world — felt diminished without this creature in it. Because of the prevalence of false news on social media, I decided to make sure the story was true. Snopes, my go to source for reality, confirmed the story. The demise of Western Black Rhino has indeed happened. In 2006. Okay, that doesn’t make it any better. But I am glad I took the time to check the story and didn’t share it.

Letter from the Animal People Forum.

Similarly, yesterday, I received a letter from an organization called Animal People Forum. The postmark was Jamaica, New York, though with a mailing address in the state of Washington. Overall the piece looked a bit odd. And despite my 17 years in animal welfare, I had never heard of this organization. So, I went to their website. I looks pretty good. But you have to read it carefully. They have four projects. One is called, “Beyond Human: Animals, Aliens and Artificial Intelligence.” Yikes. I’m glad I checked that one out too.

This all made me wonder how many letters hit our supporters’ mailboxes, and whether people check out what they receive. In my experience, people who care about animals are a very kind bunch. They want to help. Sadly, this can be taken advantage of. And there are groups that range from misleading and dubious to outright frauds ready to take advantage.

I would never presume to tell anyone the causes they should support but I hope and pray that people ensure that they are really supporting the issue they intend. It only takes little thought and a little research.

First, what are the issues you care about? Mainly domestic pets? Wildlife? Are you mainly concerned about local issues? National? International? All of the above? Do you want to support actual care for animals or do you think that awareness and advocacy are really going to affect change? Having considered these questions before that very emotional appeal hits your mailbox can help you to make sure your hard-earned cash does what you want it to.

The second consideration is whether the organization asking you for cash actually does what it says — or implies. A quick review of their website is sometimes all you need to do. What does this organization actually do? Be careful here, I have a seen some misleading practices. A few sites show animals for adoption, but none of the animals are actually in the care of that organization, just adoptable animals pulled from other websites. An organization may highlight an important issue, but it’s not clear what they are doing about it. I am very concerned about the loss of the Western Black Rhino, but the OHS website does not imply that we did anything to try to prevent it. Beware too of small gestures that are expensive and may not add up to significant change. Sending a staff team to China to adopt a few dogs from the meat markets and fly them back to Canada may raise awareness, and it certainly saves some canine lives, but is supporting the flights the best way to close the markets? Is it where you want to invest your money?

Other places you can check are the Canada Revenue Agency charities listings. Every registered charity in Canada is listed and you can easily find out how they spend their money with a few clicks. And if they are not a registered charity, ask yourself why not?

If it is a humane society asking for your support, are they a member of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS)? Most are. And another few clicks on the CFHS site can tell you.

The OHS is one of only two humane societies in Canada to achieve accreditation with Imagine Canada

You can always call us at the OHS too. We won’t provide a recommendation, but we sometimes can provide some basic facts and we will tell you if we work with a particular group. I hope that in the not-too-distant future accreditation of various sorts will help us all in separating the legitimate and effective from the dubious and misleading. That is why the OHS sought and achieved accreditation with Imagine Canada for excellence in board governance, financial accountability, fundraising, staff management, and volunteer involvement last year. We wanted to support this direction among not-for-profits and wanted to assure our community of supporters of our commitment.

Few charities have achieved this, and only one other humane society in Canada, the British Columbia SPCA, has done so to date. I am not suggesting that those that haven’t are not legitimate, but I look forward to a day when you and I can rely on this and other forms of accreditation to assure that our kindness is not exploited.

Until then, you and I can do it ourselves, through a little thought and a little research.

Bruce Roney
Executive Director