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Five New Year’s Resolutions that Will Change Your Pet’s Life
A new year is here, and I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to an excellent year for Ottawa and our community’s animals. I understand I might be somewhat alone in my optimism. Between the worries of pet owners who are concerned that finances may drive them and their pets apart, Ontario struggling to provide effective protections against animal cruelty and neglect, and surges of pets in need arriving at the OHS, it’s easy to be apprehensive about what’s to come in 2024.
The challenges facing our community and our pets are clear, but what’s also clear is that Ottawa is a community that cares deeply about animals, and is prepared to step up in a big way.
When the OHS was bursting with bunnies in the summer (we still have a lot, please adopt a rabbit if you can!) adopters opened their hearts and homes and close to 30 rabbits were adopted in just a few weeks — significantly easing a crisis. When we reached out to the community to learn more about how the OHS can best help pets and loving families, more than 3,000 people responded and provided valuable insight into what needs to be done. OHS camps, training classes, family events at our adoption centre, and more have people who care about animals coming in droves to show their support and invest in building an even more humane and compassionate community.
There’s a lot to be grateful about from 2023 and a lot to be hopeful for in 2024 — here are some resolutions for you and your pet that will make 2024 a year of progress, care and love.
Give your pet the enrichment they need.
We sometimes sweep playtime and stimulating our pets’ minds under the rug. And that enrichment plays a big role in keeping them healthy. Regular play with a cat wand, taking your dog out for fetch, and socializing with your rabbit are just as important as a full bowl of food.
Start saving for a pet emergency now.
An unexpected visit to the veterinarian sometimes forces families to give up their beloved pet. Pet insurance is a great option, but you could also open an account to put aside some money for a pet emergency on a monthly basis. A small regular contribution over time will go a long way and could make all the difference when disaster strikes. The OHS sees far too many animals surrendered by owners who were overwhelmed by the cost of pet care.
Give your pet a collar, tag and microchip.
These three items help a lost pet return home as soon as possible. It can be tempting to remove your pet’s collar when they’re at home, but if they slip out the door, getting them home becomes much harder. You can even get your pet microchipped at the OHS!
Learn about your pet’s behaviour and what they think about your behaviour.
One of the reasons a family may feel they are no longer able to take care of their pet is because of a challenging behaviour. We know that the way an animal acts can make it difficult to find a home. Our intervention services team plays a huge role in supporting pets’ behaviours and helping to prepare them for their forever home. Signing up for training or a webinar at the OHS is an excellent way to get started on better understanding your pet and building a great bond.
Stay updated on animal welfare issues.
Interest in animal welfare is heating up at all levels of government, and this is thanks to the persistence of people who care. The OHS publishes a regular newsletter exploring successes, setbacks, and developments in protecting animals everywhere. Signing up to receive the newsletter is an easy way to stay informed and stand up for the animals who need you most.
I’m certain 2024 is going to be a great year for Ottawa and the animals. With the support of caring people like you, there is no limit to what we can do to build an even more humane and compassionate community. Thank you for everything you do, as we work towards this.
Sharon Miko
President & CEO
Pet Stewardship FAQ
What would you like to know?
If you are unable to find the answer to your question, please send us an email at legacy@ottawahumane,ca.
Practice Fire Safety with Your Pet
A few basic steps can help secure a fire emergency plan that includes four-legged family members. Consider these simple tips:
- Familiarize yourself with your pet’s favourite hiding places in the house; this might be where he will run to during an emergency.
- Keep a leash or carrier close to the entrance so that you can easily find and use this when removing your pet from the house during an emergency.
- Ensure your pet’s ID tag and microchip are up to date in case he becomes frightened by the fire or fire trucks and runs away.
- Keep an up-to-date In Case of Emergency sticker that lists the number and kinds of pets living in your house – keep this by your entrance to alert emergency-response officers of the furry family members who may need rescuing. (These are available at the OHS.)
- Assign a family member to be responsible for each pet during an emergency.
- Practice your fire emergency plan with your pet! Go through the steps of where you will find your pet, secure him on a leash or in a carrier, and practice exiting the house safely with him.
- Think ahead: In the case of a fire, where will your family go? Will your pet be able to go with you, or will you need to arrange a safe place for him to stay?
- Pet-proof your house – ensure your pet cannot access open flames or anything that could start a fire.
- Supervise your pet – keep his curious nature out of the kitchen or other places where there are fire risks. When you’re away from home, make sure your pet is in a safe, secure place in the house.
Coordinator: Humane Education
Vaccinating Your Pet
There are many benefits to vaccinating your pet. Vaccines protect your pet’s health and can save you the heartbreak of unexpectedly losing your pet.
Cats and dogs need different vaccines, and your pet’s lifestyle might also affect what vaccines your pet needs to stay healthy. It is always best to talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s vaccine needs and how often your pet should receive vaccines.
Vet Pet Memorial
The OHS Vet Pet Memorial program provides your clients with the support they need when they lose a pet. When you make a donation in memory of their pet, the OHS will send a letter to your client acknowledging your gift. We will offer our condolences, and provide them with the resources they need to cope, including access to the OHS Pet Loss Support Group, and a pet memorial webpage where they can share cherished memories of their pet.
Joining the program is easy. For more information, or for help registering, please call 613-725-3166 ext. 268 or email legacy@ottawahumane.ca.
Once you have registered, it only takes minutes to provide the name and address of your bereaved honouree. The OHS takes care of the rest to ensure your client receives the follow-up support they need. A tax receipt for charitable donations will be provided to you annually for your cumulative giving.
The OHS is grateful for the support of community veterinary hospitals, and we wish to honour your commitment to Ottawa’s animals. Upon completion of your first year supporting the Pet Memorial program, you will receive a plaque in recognition as a “Proud Supporter of Ottawa’s Animals”.
“While we receive a lot of positive feedback from our clients, by far the most heartfelt thanks comes from those clients we have supported through the difficult decision to say goodbye to their pets. Supporting the Ottawa Humane Society as part of that process is so well received and touches many of our clients, leaving a lasting impression of a veterinary clinic that cares for them and the community.”
– Queensway West Animal Hospital, Kanata, ON
What to Expect When Leaving Your Pet Home Alone
I’m looking forward to a summer where many of us can safely return to our workplaces and reconnect with friends, family and the community at large. At the same time, I’m worried about our pets who may be unprepared for this transition.
If you’re getting ready to spend more time away from home, it might be helpful to think about some of the emotions your furry family member might experience while you’re gone:
- Relief: Some of our pets have had more of us than they bargained for and they may be relieved to return to a more relaxed routine of lazing, napping and grooming. If this is your pet, congratulations! You can breathe easy and keep on providing your pet the routine and environment they enjoy.
- Boredom or confusion: More alone time might be a new experience for your pet. This change could result in needing to establish different toileting habits and your pet might have more pent up energy. Establishing a regular care routine with lots of exercise, play and social time for your pet can help prevent boredom and confusion.
While you’re away, create a safe space for your pet. Your dog might enjoy a separate room with safe, appropriate chew toys, a comfy dog bed, and access to water and treats in a food puzzle. Your cat might enjoy a refuge room with her favourite scratching post, a perch by a window, water and a treat-dispensing ball. Either way, set your pet up for success by preventing access to things they can damage, giving them fun things to do and slowly building up your absences.
- Panic or distress: Your pet might have a hard time coping while you’re gone. If your pet shows signs of panic or distress when left alone, talk to your veterinarian and consider working with a qualified reward-based trainer. Professionals can give you the right plan to ensure your pet remains comfortable and happy while you’re away.
If you haven’t left your pet alone yet, you may not know which category they fall into. If that’s the case, NOW is the best time to gradually introduce some alone time. Leave your pet alone for short periods of time and see how they react, and follow the tips above to help keep your pet from becoming bored or confused while you’re away. Also, check out our video series for more ideas on helping your pet adjust to your changing routine.
Good luck!
Tegan Macdonald
Manager: Intervention Services
Tegan is the manager: intervention services at the Ottawa Humane Society. She holds her Master of Science from the University of British Columbia and is a Fear Free Certified Animal Trainer. At the OHS, she oversees programming to help animals overcome behavioural challenges and successfully transition into forever homes. To learn more about Tegan or the Intervention Services department, check out our blog https://ottawahumane.ca/service-where-its-needed-most/.
End of Life Care for your Pet
When a pet becomes a part of our family, they bring joy, companionship and comfort. In return, they need love, care and devotion, and having a pet may sometimes require an ethical or moral choice to be made on their behalf. Being a pet owner can involve difficult decisions, and perhaps none more so than when your pet is dying.
If your pet has been diagnosed with a terminal illness or has begun to suffer increasingly from age-related ailments, humane euthanasia may eventually be the only option you have. Most people want to have as much time as possible with their pet before they have to say a final goodbye. Many believe that they can provide their pet with a good quality of life for some time to come. Your role is to recognize suffering and to provide care and relief to your animal, whether through medical means or through euthanasia. As long as you are able to ensure that your pet is receiving the care that they need during their remaining days, it may be possible to give your pet more time. But whether or not you decide to either delay or rule out euthanasia, you are always responsible for providing care to your animal.
Make sure you discuss your situation with your veterinarian and that they know what your wishes are for your pet, and what you can reasonably do for them; as your pet’s illness progresses, the care they require may become much more complicated, time-consuming and costly.
Read more about end of life care for your pet.
At any point, you may decide that caring for your pet is no longer an option. Humane euthanasia can often be a very kind decision for an animal, and is certainly a more responsible and compassionate decision for an animal if you are no longer able to meet their care needs. It is important that, no matter what you decide, your animal’s welfare always comes first.
You may also choose to surrender your animal to the Ottawa Humane Society. You may contact us at any time to discuss this choice and what it would mean for you and your animal.
Christmas Pet Tips
The Ottawa Humane Society reminds pet owners that the holidays present many hazards for pets. The same things that make Christmas special to people may cause problems for their animals. Here are the OHS’s Twelve Pet Tips for Christmas to keep your companion animals safe, healthy and happy.
The busy social season
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- Holidays are a busy time for visiting and being visited – you may be away for extended periods or have a house full of guests. If you’re away, have someone check in on your pet or board your pet. Note that your pet’s vaccinations will have to be up-to-date to be accepted at a boarding facility.
- If you’re entertaining, you may wish to keep your pets in a quiet room away from the noise and activity. If they’re mingling among the guests, make sure you’re monitoring them so that they don’t share your guests’ holiday finger foods!
The glittering Christmas decorations
- Christmas ornaments should be pet-friendly. Avoid using tinsel on trees! Curious animals are attracted by the shiny strings and may swallow them, which can lead to serious injury-and expensive surgery! Ornaments hung on lower tree limbs should not be breakable. Also, keep your tree free of decorations made of food!
- Barricade the water trough around the tree to prevent your pet from drinking the water, which may be dirty and contain pine needles, which are indigestible.
- Be careful with Christmas lights! Secure electrical cords and conceal outlets. Pets may chew on cords. Keep pets away from open flames.
- Some Christmas plants are toxic to pets. Keep your pets away from mistletoe, holly, poinsettias and amaryllis. If ingested, they may cause vomiting, diarrhea or other problems. If your pet has ingested something you’re unsure about, call your veterinarian!
The carefully purchased and lovingly wrapped gifts
- After gifts have been unwrapped, discard or store wrapping paper and ribbons, which could be dangerous play toys for pets.
- You’re not the only one looking under the tree with curiosity. If you don’t know what’s in a package, don’t leave it under the tree! You may find out the hard way that Aunt Jane got you a delicious box of Belgian truffles. Note that chocolate is toxic for cats and dogs.
The delicious holiday food
- Table scraps and leftovers aren’t just too rich for your pets: bones in the meat could lead to serious complications or death.
- Ensure that edibles in Christmas stockings or on the tree are unreachable by your pet and away from dangerous places, such as the fireplace.
The winter wonderland
- Always ensure that your pet is wearing adequate identification. With more frequent comings-and-goings, it’s easy for your pet to slip out of the house unnoticed.
- On colder days, limit your pet’s exposure to the out-of-doors to short time periods.
OHS Emergency Pet Food Bank
The OHS Emergency Pet Food Bank supports Ottawa area residents by providing short term relief for pet owners who are struggling with the cost of pet ownership because of temporary and unforeseen circumstances.
The Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) offers an Emergency Pet Food Bank onsite at the OHS and works with the Ottawa Food Bank (OFB) to ensure pet food is accessible through local food banks. If you are currently a client of the OFB, or wish to become a client, find your local community food bank.
For more information regarding Ottawa Food Bank services, please email foodbank@ottawafoodbank.ca or call 613-745-7001.
Locations offering pet food may vary.
Are you in need of emergency pet food and are not an Ottawa Food Bank client?
The OHS holds weekly Emergency Pet Food Banks. Appointments are required.
OHS Emergency Pet Food Bank Pick-up Hours:
- Thursdays – 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Pick-up Location:
- 245 West Hunt Club Rd.
About our Emergency Pet Food Bank:
Clients are eligible to request emergency pet food support four times, generally providing up to four months of pet food in total, for up to three pets.
The first step is to fill out an application form. Once we receive your application, we will send you our calendar booking link with available pick-up times.
Interested in supporting the OHS Emergency Pet Food Bank?
This program is only possible because of generous support from our community.
We are currently in need of unopened, bags of dry dog and cat food. In-kind donations can be dropped at the OHS Adoption Centre during opening hours.
For more information, please contact our community services department at communityservices@ottawahumane.ca