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Be a Responsible Pet Owner
Pets rely on us to provide them with everything they need to live a happy and healthy life. When you are a responsible pet owner, you and your pet will enjoy a lifetime of love and companionship. Follow these essential tips:
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)
Surrendering Your Pet to the Ottawa Humane Society
If you are no longer able to care for your pet, the OHS is here to help.
If this is an emergency, call us at 613-725-3166 ext. 223. If we are unable to answer your call, leave a message with your name, number and reason for calling and we will respond as soon as possible.
Giving up a pet is never easy. If you need to surrender your pet to the OHS, this is what you should know:
- We recommend exploring options to keep your pet or trying to rehome your pet yourself. We have tips to help you find a caring, responsible home for your pet.
- We take animals in by appointment only, as we have limited space and resources.
- To start, complete a Pet History Form below (one form per pet or litter).
- If urgent, call 613-725-3166 ext. 223 or email intake@ottawahumane.ca.
- If possible, make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date before surrendering them. The OHS cares for many homeless animals, so there is a risk of illness spreading in the shelter.
- All pets brought to the OHS must be restrained on a leash or in a carrier.
The decision to surrender your pet is permanent. Once you have surrendered your pet, they become the property of the OHS. Surrendering your pet when you can no longer care for them is emotional and often in the pet’s best interest. It would not be responsible for the OHS to return an animal to a person who has told us that they are unable or unwilling to care for the animal.
Your Pet
Get tips for keeping your pet happy and healthy, get your pet microchipped, sign up for training classes, learn how to surrender your pet to the OHS, and discover the OHS Buddy and Belle Boutique.
Explaining Pet Death to Children
By Sarah Probst, Information Specialist
University of Illinois
College of Veterinary Medicine
Article reprinted in full and with permission from CVM’s website.
“For many children, pet death is the first time they will experience grief over death. Handling a pet’s death in a positive way empowers children to handle grief in the future,” explains Julia Brannan, veterinary student and student director of the Companion Animal Related Emotions (C.A.R.E.) Helpline at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. “Being honest with children is the most important factor.”
Terminology is crucial when talking to children about death. When explaining pet loss, use the words “death,” “dead,” “dying” instead of euphemisms. “These are all concrete words that children can wrap their brains around.” Be clear because children’s minds may extrapolate harmful connotations from sugar-coated explanations.
For example, a common euphemism for euthanasia is ‘put to sleep.’ Brannan cautions, “Children may begin to think that being ‘put to sleep’ at night can be an irreversible process.” Brannan warns against telling children that your pet ran away or that you gave it to a friend. “That gives children a different kind of grief. They wonder why their best friend would abandon them or why their parents would want to separate them from a creature that meant so much to them,” says Brannan. Instead, if you have made the decision to euthanize, she suggests saying the following: “Because we love Fluffy so much we do not want her to suffer. We are helping her to die because she is experiencing pain that we can no longer treat.”
Talk about the death of a pet before the death occurs. Brannan suggests inviting your child to take part in the decision-making process. “Not including children in the process makes them feel completely powerless about what is going on with their pet.” When deciding whether to facilitate the death of a terminally ill pet, talk honestly about options.
“Reading books about grief and pet loss to children opens the door for parents and children to talk about the possibility of losing their pet.” Brannan’s favourite children’s books about pet loss and grief are the following: The Tenth Good Thing about Barney by J. Viorst; Talking About Death: A Dialogue Between Parents and Children by E. Grollman; About Dying: An Open Family Book for Parents and Children Together by S.B. Stein. Your local library or book store may have suggestions also.
If the decision is made to euthanize a pet, veterinarians can explain the medical aspects of death: how euthanasia is done, and how the pet will look in death – that eyes do not close, that the body may be warm for a few hours, and that the body will become stiff later. Veterinarians also can explain why a pet did not make it through a traumatic accident. In addition to medical questions, veterinarians can help parents deal with the child’s questions and grief. “Grief issues do not just happen in the clinic; they happen after the child leaves – months or sometimes years later,” adds Brannan.
Parents often wonder if a child should be allowed to be with the pet during death and see the body after the pet is dead. Brannan suggests asking children what they want to do. If the parent or child does not feel the need to be present during the euthanasia, then an alternative is to go back into the room after the euthanasia procedure and say goodbye. Seeing that the pet is actually dead often helps give children and parents a sense of closure.
During the grieving process, family members at various age levels will react differently. Children under two can sense stress in the house even though they do not know the cause. Brannan suggests comforting them and paying extra attention to them during the grieving period. “Children two to five typically believe they are invincible,” explains Brannan. Death is a reversible feat that cartoons like the roadrunner and coyote enact. Although they may not understand that their pet is dead, explaining death concretely now will help them understand it better later.
Eight-year-olds might understand that death is irreversible; however, in their minds, the universe revolves around them. “So if they think bad thoughts like, ‘I don’t want to walk Fluffy today. I wish she would just die’ and then a couple months later, Fluffy does die; a child this age might believe that their bad thoughts caused the death of the pet,” says Brannan.
Children may react in ways that adults wouldn’t. They may draw pictures of their pet underground, bury dolls, or ask shocking questions about what is happening to their pet’s body underground. All of these responses are normal and healthy.
Showing your own grief in front of your child is healthy as well. Hiding grief might make children wonder why you don’t miss the presence of the pet in the house. This could lead to them wondering if you would be sad if they died. Grieving and crying in front of a child validates to the child that these emotions are OK to express.
Families can be creative about memorializing their pet. Plant a tree. Put an engraved stone in your cat’s favourite spot in the house. Write a letter to your dog. Encourage children to draw pictures. Each family member should be encouraged to memorialize their pet’s death in a way meaningful to them.
If you or a member of your family is having trouble dealing with the loss of a pet, call (217) 244-CARE for hours of operation. The C.A.R.E. Helpline was developed to provide a supportive outlet for people experiencing disruption in or the loss of the bond they share with their cherished companion animal. The hotline is staffed by veterinary students who understand the importance of this bond and the emotions involved when that bond is threatened or broken. The students have received training by professional grief counselors and receive ongoing supervision by a licensed psychologist.
Re-home Your Pet
Giving up a companion animal is a very difficult decision. Make sure you have explored all of your options for keeping your pet before you make this difficult decision.
The Ottawa Humane Society has a very successful adoption program and will keep all adoptable animals as long as it takes to find them a new loving home. However, because the Ottawa Humane Society cannot guarantee that your pet will be adoptable, we encourage pet owners to try to find a responsible new home for their pet themselves, before they consider surrendering their animal to our shelter.
If you are able to try to place your pet into a new home on your own, the OHS recommends you take the following steps:
- Advertise through friends, neighbours and local veterinarians first. You increase the chances of finding a good home when you can check the references with someone you know. If your pet is a purebred, you can contact your breeder, or check if there are any breed rescue groups in your area. If you are not successful, then try the newspaper. There are also Internet forums, such as Pet Finder.com, which allow users to post descriptions and pictures of pets looking for new homes.
- Ask for a fee. This deters people who have made a spontaneous decision and may not be ready for the responsibility of a pet. In addition, people tend not to place as much value on something they have obtained for free.
- Ask questions. Get a feel for the new home, and what the potential new owner is looking for in a new pet. You must make sure that your pet’s needs will be met. Here are some sample questions:
- What are the new family’s expectations of your pet?
- Has the family had pets before? What happened to them?
- Are their current pets vaccinated and spayed/neutered?
- How often will the dog be walked?
- How often will the cat’s litterbox be cleaned?
- Are the parents willing to supervise the children to make sure a small animal, such as a hamster, receives appropriate care?
- Does anyone in the household have allergies?
- Is anyone in the home afraid of animals?
- Are the new owners thinking of moving soon? If so, will they arrange for the pet to join them in the new home?
- Where will the pet stay while the new owners are vacationing?
- Will the pet be kept inside, outside or both?
- Be honest about your pet, and why you must rehome her. It is not fair to your pet to send her to a new home with false expectations of her behaviour or medical requirements.
- Visit the prospective home. As the caregiver of an animal, it is up to you to ensure your pet goes to a responsible, caring home that is able to meet his needs.
- Ask for valid identification. Keep a record, along with a contract signed by both of you, outlining the requirements you both agree upon.
- Spay or neuter your pet before sending her to the new home. This makes your pet more adoptable and increases her chances of staying in the new home. You can ask the adopter for a fee to cover this cost.
- Do not be afraid to say no. You have a responsibility to your pet to find him a good home.
Please remember that we are here to help you. If you have any questions concerning your pet or about finding your pet a new home, please contact us. If, despite your best efforts, you are unable to find a suitable home for your pet, you may surrender him to the Ottawa Humane Society. We will do our best to find your former companion the happy, healthy home he deserves.
2018 Media Releases
- Plan Your Visit to the Ottawa Humane Society This Season by First Checking Holiday Hours (December 18, 2018)
- Keep Your Furry Friends Safe This Holiday Season With the 12 Pet Safety Tips of Christmas (December 12, 2018)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, Dec. 9 (December 4, 2018)
- Santa Paws is Coming to Town! (November 26, 2018)
- Protect Pets From Dangerously Cold Temperatures Forecast to Hit Ottawa Tonight (November, 21, 2018
- Surprise Your Kids This Holiday Season With a Pet and Make a Homeless Animal’s Dreams Come True (November 19, 2018)
- Owners of Injured Young Dog Found (November 14, 2018)
- Humane Society Seeking Owners of Injured Young Dog (November 13, 2018)
- Get ready to howl for Howl-O-Ween at the OHS! (October 25, 2018)
- Pet-Adoptathon Weekend at Pet Valu Merivale (September 27, 2018)
- Hill’s and OHS Help Families Feed Pets after Tornado Tragedy (September 26, 2018)
- Ottawa Humane Society Tornado Aftermath (September 24, 2018)
- Northern Pets Need Community Support (September 20, 2018)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, Sept. 16 (September 11, 2018)
- OHS Kitty Crisis Stabilized: Now Helping with Crisis in Windsor (August 24, 2018)
- Ottawa Humane Society Kitty Crisis Continues (August 15, 2018)
- OHS to benefit from Nissan’s Dog Days of Summer Campaign (August 10, 2018)
- Canada Day 2018: the perfect pet storm (June 28, 2018)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, June 10 (June 5, 2018)
- Update on 30 Cats and Kittens Abandoned at Pest Control Company (May 25, 2018)
- 30 Cats and Kittens Abandoned at Pest Control Company (May 25, 2018)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, April 8 (April 3, 2018)
- Celebrate A Hoppy Easter With the Animals This Sunday at the Ottawa Humane Society! (March 19, 2019)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, March 11 (March 6, 2018)
- Join us for National Cupcake Day 2018 and really bake a difference for Ottawa’s animals! (February, 23, 2018)
- The Temperature May Be Rising, But Danger Still Awaits Cats Left Out In The Cold (February 22, 2018)
- This February, There’s Love in the Air at the Ottawa Humane Society (February 5, 2018)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, Jan. 14 (January 9, 2018)
- Important Animal Welfare Update: Statement From the Ottawa Humane Society (January 2, 2018)
Take Your Pet to the Vet
Regular checkups are important. |
Of course, we love our pets. We know it is our responsibility to take care of them – to ensure they are provided with all of their daily needs – but I think many of us also want to go beyond the basics and give back to our pets for the joy and companionship they bring to our lives. Nowadays, you may bring your four-legged family member to animal daycares, pet spas, off-leash parks, training classes, and a variety of animal-friendly events. But let’s not forget the fundamentals: Do you take your pet to the vet?
A vet will help your pet stay healthy. |
General Health
Regular checkups are the best way to help prevent health problems in your pet. Your vet will examine your pet and provide you with important information and tips on topics such as weight control and dental care.
Keeping your pet’s vaccinations up to date is another important way to prevent disease and health problems in your pet, especially as many of us these days enjoy taking our pets out to parks and into the community for events and activities where disease can linger and spread. Remember, rabies vaccinations are required by law.
Sterilization
The OHS receives and cares for more than 6,000 cats and 2,000 dogs each year. Having your pet spayed or neutered is the best way you can play a part in controlling the pet population and helping reduce the number of homeless pets in our community. And, sterilization benefits your pet’s long-term health!
Say thank you on World Veterinary Day. |
Behaviour
Always take the time to chat with your vet about any unusual or challenging behaviour from your pet. Your vet will be equipped with tips and advice regarding what is normal behaviour and what you can do to be proactive in ending any misbehaviours before they get worse.
Andrea Tatarski,
Coordinator: Humane Education
2023 Media Releases
Celebrity Cat Touring the Ottawa Humane Society (Dec. 14, 2023)
Pet Affordability Crisis — Ottawa Humane Society Eyes Ways to Help Even More Animals (Nov. 23, 2023)
Life-Saving Event for Ottawa’s Homeless Animals Happening Tonight (Nov. 3, 2023)
Halloween Family Fun at Ottawa Humane Society (Oct. 27, 2023)
More than 90 Cats Admitted to the Ottawa Humane Society (Oct. 17, 2023)
Dog Destroys Tens of Thousands of Dollars-Worth of Humane Society Equipment (Oct. 5, 2023)
Special Message from the Ottawa Humane Society: “Thanks for Wiggling and Waggling!” (Sept. 25, 2023)
Staying Ahead of the Curve: Ottawa Humane Society Taking Steps to Keep Families Together (Sept. 21, 2023)
Ottawa Humane Society Urges Pet Owners to Brace for a Hot Week (Sept. 1, 2023)
Putting People and Their Pets First: Ottawa Humane Society Planning the Organization’s Next Five Years (Aug. 24, 2023)
Ottawa’s Rabbit Crisis is at Critical Mass (July 24, 2023)
Keeping Pets Safe During the Hottest Days Ever (July 7, 2023)
Protecting Pets from Fireworks (June 30, 2023)
Puppy with Badly Broken Leg Recovering at Ottawa Humane Society (June 22, 2023)
$150 for a T-Shirt? Homeless Dogs in Desperate Need of Crates (June 16, 2023)
Smog Poses a Risk to Pets — Warns Ottawa Humane Society (June 6, 2023)
17 Rats Brought to Ottawa Humane Society on Long Weekend (May 25, 2023)
Rising Heat Poses a Danger to Ottawa’s Pets (May 10, 2023)
Ottawa Humane Society Eliminates Surrender Fees (April 13, 2023)
More Than 20 Big Dogs in Need of Foster Homes (March 17, 2023)
Ottawa Humane Society Launches Lottery to Support the Animals (March 7, 2023)
Ottawa Humane Society Seeking New Board Members (March 3, 2023)
More Than 40 Animals to be Spayed and Neutered at the Ottawa Humane Society (Feb. 24, 2023)
Ottawa Humane Society Warns Pet Owners to Take Caution During Cold Snap (Feb. 2, 2023)
2019 Media Releases
- Protect Pets from Cold Temperatures This Winter (December 5, 2019)
- We woof you a Merry Critter Christmas! (November 29, 2019)
- Santa Paws is Coming to Town! (November 27, 2019)
- Ottawa Humane Society Welcomes new Ontario Animal Protection Legislation (October 29, 2019)
- OHS Halloween safety tips for your pets (October 28, 2019)
- It’s Howl-O-Ween at the Ottawa Humane Society! (October 24, 2019)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Host its First Adopt-a-thon, Over 180 Animals Looking for Homes (October 4, 2019)
- Emaciated Puppy Found in Wooded Area Comes Into Ottawa Humane Society Care (October 3, 2019)
- Seniors’ Day at the Ottawa Humane Society (September 26, 2019)
- Ottawa Humane Society Honours Community’s Contributions at its Annual General Meeting (September 23, 2019)
- Ottawa Humane Society Animal Stolen from Pet Valu on Ogilvie Road, $200 Reward for Tips Leading to a Safe Return (September 16, 2019)
- PetSmart Charities’ National Adoption Weekend to Feature Ottawa Humane Society Cats at Ottawa Locations (September 12, 2019)
- 31st Annual Ottawa Humane Society Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run Fundraising Event (September 5, 2019)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Feature Long-Stay Adopt-From-Foster Pets at Upcoming Adoption Event (August 20, 2019)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Participate in PetSmart Adoption Event in Response to a Recent Population Surge (August 15, 2019)
- Ottawa Humane Society Urging Pet Owners to Keep Pets Safe During Travel, After Two Dogs Fall Out of Moving Vehicles in One Day (August 9, 2019)
- Ottawa Humane Society Nearing Capacity and Still Filling, Seeking Community’s Help to Avoid Crisis (July 30, 2019)
- 38 Kittens Transferred to Ottawa Humane Society – Most Ready for Adoption (July 17, 2019)
- Increased Danger to Pets Left Alone in Cars as Heat Wave Blankets City: Ottawa Humane Society (July 3, 2019)
- Canada Day: The Perfect Pet Storm (June 28, 2019)
- See an Animal in Distress? The OHS wants to make sure you know who to call. (June 24,2019)
- The Ottawa Humane Society Encouraging Businesses to be Dog-Friendly (June 17, 2019)
- The Ottawa Humane Society is Now Finding Homes for Feral Cats (May 30, 2019)
- Get a Microchip For Your Pet: The Difference Between Lost and Found (May 2, 2019)
- Protect Pets from Spring Dangers (April 4, 2019)
- Update on Wandering and Starving Labrador-cross Dog (March 22, 2019)
- This February, Love is in the Air at the Ottawa Humane Society (February 7, 2019)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, Feb. 10 (February 5, 2019)
- Stray Cat Rescued by Ottawa Fire Services Recovering in Ottawa Humane Society Care after Wandering onto the Rideau River (January 31, 2019)
- Protect Pets From Dangerously Cold Temperatures (January 22, 2019)
- No more “ruff” days at the office! (January 18, 2019)
- Ottawa Humane Society to Hold Microchip Clinic Sunday, Jan. 13 (January 7, 2019)