Search Results for: Rabbits
Asking for Those Who Cannot Ask for Themselves
Animals cannot speak, or ask, for themselves. |
Executive Director
Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run Team Showcase: BGIS Barkers
Halle, the Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run spokesdog, interviews Shelley Leblanc, second-time team captain of the BGIS Barkers, about why she participates in the event. The BGIS Barkers are a team of nine from Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions, providing consulting, management and delivery services in real estate.
Halle: So Shelley, can you tell me why the BGIS Barkers choose to participate in the Walk/Run?
Shelley: We do it for the love of animals. They bring such joy to our lives that we want to share that with others. If the money we raise allows even one pet to join its forever home, we have been successful.
Halle: What are the BGIS Barkers doing to recruit people to join your Walk/Run team?
Shelley: At Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions, we issue a monthly newsletter that talks about what events we are supporting, as well as our accomplishments in fundraising. For the Wiggle Waggle, we talk about how much fun we had last year showing off our pets and how the animals are treated like kings and queens for the day.
Halle: How have the BGIS Barkers been so successful in raising funds for the Walk/Run? Do you have any tips to share with other teams?
Shelley: To raise money for the Wiggle Waggle we hold 50/50 draws on Fridays. We also had a super successful bake sale and have plans for a hot dog sale in August. We are trying really hard to finish in second place again this year. Although we would love to come first in, it is a difficult task to compete against the amazing Mooselake Labs team that has won the past few years. They do an incredible job raising funds for the animals, so we would be very happy to come in second place.
Halle: What is your team’s favourite part of the event?
Shelley: Seeing how proud the owners are of their pets. They love to show them off and so they should.
Halle: What would you say to someone who is considering participating in the event?
Shelley: Do it, don’t hesitate! It’s for a great cause and as a bonus, you get to meet more so many different breeds of dogs, more than you can even imagine. There are even few cats and rabbits that make it out too!
To sign up for the Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run, please visit www.ottawahumane.ca/walkrun.
Coyote Panic and Co-existing with Wildlife
There has been a great deal of coverage in the media regarding a string of attacks by one coyote in the Riverside South area. Scary-sounding headlines such as ‘’aggressive coyote problem has gone on too long’’ and ‘’coyote strikes again’’ rob us of having meaningful discussions around making communities safe while coexisting with wildlife.
So, how frequent are coyote attacks? According to the Canid Conservation Science Lab at the University of Calgary, the risk is extremely low. Their research shows that on average, 2.4 Canadians per year are either bitten or scratched by a coyote, and there has only been one known fatal human incident ever reported in Canada.
Wildlife conflicts are largely due to expanding city boundaries. As the city grows, more land is developed, and wild animals lose habitat. With a new official city plan to be tabled this fall calling for expanded urban boundaries, and city growth expected to result in 1.4 million residents over the next 25 years, these conflicts will only increase.
We need to do a better job at learning how to coexist with wild animals. We won’t do this with frightening headlines. We can only do it with science, getting the best advice and using both to plan development and to educate the public.
New urban development needs to be planned with wildlife in mind. And the public needs to be better informed. Too many people move to a wildlife habitat that has been cleared for new development, and either expect that the area be cleared of all wildlife, or start feeding them as sort-of outdoor pets. Well, to a coyote, those delightful squirrels and rabbits you are feeding are dinner, and nothing attracts a coyote like dinner.
We can do better. We need to do better. Animal lives depend on it.
Bruce Roney
President & CEO
For more information, check out Coyote Watch Canada, a not-for-profit community-based wildlife organization which advocates positive human-wildlife experiences with a focus on canids. They train law enforcement and city officials in how to deal with a coyote encounter. Their hotline is open 24/7 to provide immediate support to anyone dealing with a coyote encounter. They also educate residents through public presentations.
Catching Up on Life-Changing Work
Last week, to celebrate World Spay Day, I had the honour of helping to provide spay/neuter surgeries to animals in the care of local rescue groups. Thanks to the incredible support from our community, at the OHS clinic, we spayed/neutered 34 cats, 3 dogs and 5 rabbits in need.
On top of the success of World Spay Day, I’m pleased to say the OHS has relaunched subsidized spay/neuter services for cats of low-income pet owners. We will start by working through a waitlist for the OHS Mobile Spay/Neuter Service that has been growing since the pandemic began.
By the end of March, we expect to spay/neuter up to 32 cats in need right here at our accredited veterinary clinic. In the spring, we are planning to roll out the Mobile Spay/Neuter Service into the community.
Spay/neuter is a crucial service for our pets as a pet that is spayed/neutered will usually live a longer, healthier life. Spaying/neutering your pet can also address common behaviour issues and make your pet less likely to roam.
Perhaps most important of all, spaying/neutering helps prevent pet overpopulation — reducing the number of homeless, unwanted animals in our community. This month is just the start of bringing back spay/neuter services to pet owners who need them most. We’ve got a lot of work to do to catch up with demand, but we look forward to resuming this service for a community in need.
Dr. Shelley Hutchings
OHS Chief Veterinarian
Is a Small Animal the Pet for You?
Phoenix, one of the many small animals waiting for her forever home at the OHS |
Manager: Admissions and Rehoming
Youth Foster Volunteer
Not currently recruiting
Rabbits at the OHS often benefit from time spent in a loving home, away from the busy shelter environment, while waiting to find their forever homes.
In this program, youth learn about animal care and enrichment, then provide a loving foster home for a rabbit in need to earn Ontario Community Involvement Hours required for graduation!
Youth and their families won’t be alone in caring for their foster animal. We provide all the food, supplies and medical care the animal needs. The only cost to you is your time and sharing your home with a rabbit who needs your help.
Sign up to be notified when recruitment opens!
To be placed on an interest list to become a Youth Foster Volunteer, select the “Interest List” button below to register. Select the calendar date (Dec. 31, 2024) and time (11:59 p.m.) and select “Book Now”.
My Volunteer Journey
I was asked to share some memories from my 30 plus years as a volunteer.
In the mid-80s, I returned to Ottawa after university and teaching. My new apartment was near the old Ottawa Humane Society (101 Champagne Avenue South). I registered as a volunteer.
It was an innovative and exciting chapter in the shelter’s history. Many of the current programs began in those early years.
The foster program started in 1983. For several years, I assisted with fostering out as many animals as possible for Christmas week so the staff could have a break. I fostered and then adopted my first chihuahua (Bart) at that time.
In 1984, the Companion Animal Program (now Brightening Lives Animal Visits) was four years old. Every Thursday afternoon, three ladies and I loaded up a station wagon with animals in their carriers. We headed out to seniors’ facilities and group homes for hour-long visits. The dogs, cats and sometimes rabbits were selected from the animals up for adoption that day.
The early Pet Pics with Santa were held at the two Ritchie Feed and Seed stores. I remember the OHS Administrator and me selling hotdogs and hot chocolate from a food van in the front parking lot at the Stittsville location.
The first Wiggle Waggle Walkathon was held in 1988. I recall hammering white stakes beside a path next to Dow’s Lake. On-site-only registration was held at H.M.C.S. Carleton drill hall using three copy machines. After the walk, I helped at the finance office with the challenge of deciphering participant’s handwriting to prepare tax receipts.
That is just a glimpse into my early experiences. In 1996 I was honoured to receive the Eleanor Prowse Award. It is given each year to a volunteer for outstanding service.
I joined the Ottawa Humane Society Auxiliary soon after I started working as a volunteer with the OHS. Our group commits time, energy, supplies and ideas to sell baking and crafts to raise funds for the animals. Come January 2021, our Creative Craft Circle will have been meeting for 20 years.
I remember all the amazing animals, and my many adventures. I have met wonderful staff, great fellow volunteers and amazing people in the animal community. The satisfaction from volunteering at the OHS has been a large part of my personal journey.
Eleanor Prowse
Tours
Ever wonder what goes on behind-the-scenes at the OHS? Book a tour and come see for yourself! Everyone is welcome. Tours are 45-minutes and include an educational tour of the facility and an opportunity to visit the animals.
Cost: $50
Location: The Ottawa Humane Society (245 West Hunt Club)
Capacity: Maximum of 15 participants per booking
*Tours are 45 minutes in length and can accommodate a maximum of 15 participants. This includes both children and adult participants. Due to capacity restrictions at the OHS, no exceptions can be made. For groups larger than 15 participants, please book separate tours.
Shelter Animals & Availability:
To maintain safety and security of all participants, and to reduce stress of animals in our care, shelter dogs and rabbits are only viewed in this program. Cat interactions are subject to animal availability on the day of the scheduled tour.
Animals are behaviourally assessed and health checked by our animal care team. These records are used to determine their suitability for programming, as well as their adoption status, current stress level and temperament.
Tours Cancellation Policy: Refund requests received 48 hours in advance of the scheduled program are eligible for a refund of $25 ($25 administration fee is non-refundable). Refund requests received within 48 hours of the scheduled program are not eligible for a refund.
Note: Full refunds will be issued in the event that the OHS has to cancel a scheduled tour.
For more information, email programs@ottawahumane.ca or call 613-725-3166, ext. 298.
2017 Media Releases
- Ottawa Humane Society Pleads to Thief: Stolen Kitten Needs Medical Attention (December 20, 2017)
- Protect Pets From Dangerously Cold Temperatures Forecast to Hit Ottawa Tonight (December 13, 2017)
- Keep Your Furry Friends Safe This Holiday Season With the 12 Pet Safety Tips of Christmas (December, 12, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, Dec. 10 (December 6, 2017)
- Sadie Mae is Expected to Recover After Life-saving Surgery at the Ottawa Humane Society (November 30, 2017)
- Celebrate the Season With the Animals and Santa Paws at the Ottawa Humane Society! (November 24, 2017)
- Surprise Your Kids This Holiday Season With a Pet and Make a Homeless Animal’s Dreams Come True (November 21, 2017)
- Beagle Receiving Life-saving Care at the Ottawa Humane Society After Being Shot in the Head (November 17, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, Nov. 12 (November 7, 2017)
- Keep Pets Safe This Halloween With Six Tips From the Ottawa Humane Society (October 31, 2017)
- Howl for Halloween at the Ottawa Humane Society this Saturday! (October 26, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, Oct. 15 (October 10, 2017)
- Important Animal Welfare Update: Statement From the Ottawa Humane Society (October 4, 2017)
- Surprisingly Hot Fall Temperatures Mean Dogs Still in Danger if Left Alone in Cars: Ottawa Humane Society (September 22, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society Honours Community’s Contributions at its Annual General Meeting (September 20, 2017)
- Join the Ottawa Humane Society at Lansdowne Park This Saturday and Wiggle, Waggle, Walk or Run to Save Animal Lives (September 8, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society Throwing Party to Cheer Up Two Cats Who’ve Spent a Year Waiting to Be Adopted (August 31, 2017)
- ALERT: Ottawa Humane Society in Desperate Need of Foster Homes to Help With Summer Population Spike (August 9, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, Aug. 13 (August 8, 2017)
- Keep Pets Safe This Long Weekend by Not Leaving Them in a Hot Car: Ottawa Humane Society (August 2, 2017)
- Increased Danger to Pets Left Alone in Cars as High Temperatures Hit the City: Ottawa Humane Society (July 12, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society Makes First FIV-Positive Cats Available for Adoption (July 4, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, July 9 (July 4, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society Nearly Full in Advance of Busiest Weekend of the Year, Needs Community’s Help to Avert a Crisis (June 30, 2017)
- Annual Influx of Spooked, Lost Pets the Dark Side to Canada Day Festivities: Ottawa Humane Society (June 28, 2017)
- The Ottawa Humane Society is Throwing a Kitten Shower This Sunday and Everyone’s Invited! (June 23, 2017)
- Cute Overload as Kittens in Need of a Second Chance Overtake the Ottawa Humane Society (June 15, 2017)
- Deadly Summer Danger: Ottawa Humane Society Treating Two Cats for High Rise Syndrome (June 12, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society Asking Community to Boycott Friday Bull Riding Event at TD Place (June 7, 2017)
- Found A Baby Animal? Check With The Experts For How To Help (May 18, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, May 7 (May 2, 2017)
- Celebrate A Hoppy Easter With the Animals This Sunday at the Ottawa Humane Society! (April 6, 2017
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, April 9 (April 5, 2017)
- Be on the Lookout for Lost, Scared Pets After Fire at Baseline and Merivale Row Houses: Ottawa Humane Society (March 13, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, March 12 (March 7, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, Feb. 12 (February 7, 2017)
- Protect Pets From Dangerously Cold Temperatures Forecast to Hit Ottawa Tonight (January 13, 2017)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, Jan. 8 (January 3, 2017)
Volunteer Opportunities
OHS volunteers help give Ottawa’s animals a brighter future and make our community a more humane place for all. If you are interested in joining our volunteer team, and making a difference for Ottawa’s animals, please review the volunteer opportunities and follow the application instructions.
Please note: Applications will not be processed for programs that are not open for recruitment. We have a limited number of available openings, and applicants must meet the volunteer requirements to be considered for an interview. We thank all applicants for applying, however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.