Search Results for: pet%20loss
Prevent a Lost Pet
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Identify your pets
This is probably the most important thing you can do to prevent your pet from being permanently lost. Your pet should be microchipped, tattooed and be wearing a collar and ID tag. It is not enough just to have one of the above list, two or more are vital. With a collar and tag, someone could pick up your pet on the street and bring it right back to your house. With a tattoo, a vet clinic without microchip readers can check the registry based on the tattoo. With a microchip, places like the OHS can immediately identify your pet and call you, even if the collar has been lost.
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Have pictures available
A recent photo can make all the difference when an animal is lost. Keep some up-to-date colour photos available just in case.
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Watch the front door
When expecting people, lock up animals who are likely to bolt. They may be cranky, but they will thank you for it when they are safe at home.
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Don’t let cats wander
If you let your cats outside, chances are they will get lost. Even if they have been coming and going for ten years, it doesn’t mean that they will always find their way home, or that someone might assume they are lost and pick them up. Do not let cats outside the house unless you have an enclosed back yard, or you are walking them on a leash.
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Know your pets
OK, so you’ve lost a black Lab cross. What else? Does he know any tricks that make him stand out? Does he have any scars or birth marks? What makes him different from all the other black Labs we might receive? These details might make it easier for us to identity your pet.
Source: Winnipeg Humane Society
Pet Loss Support Groups
Are you coping with the loss of a pet? Saying goodbye is never easy. Many people suffer when they lose a pet and find it hard to move forward alone in the grieving process. The Ottawa Humane Society offers on-going grief guidance to the community through Pet Loss Support Groups.
Group meetings are held virtually, and participants must be over the age of 16.
All pet loss support groups are facilitated by experienced volunteer facilitators. Facilitators provide information on a variety of subjects related to grief and through guest lectures and informal discussions, sharing stories, working alongside participants to provide compassionate support and in-depth coping strategies for anyone dealing with the loss of a pet.
Participants may find the article Helping Yourself in Times of Grief beneficial in their time of healing. Participants are not required to prepare anything in advance, but may share photos of their pet and other memorial items, if they wish.
Click the button below to see all upcoming sessions facilitated by Donna D.
Register for Upcoming Sessions
Click the button below to see all upcoming sessions facilitated by Ian H.
Register for Upcoming Sessions
You must register for this virtual meeting to ensure that you receive the Zoom link in advance of the session.
For more information, email outreach@ottawahumane.ca or call (613) 725-3166, ext. 235.
This program is available to the public free of charge, donations to the OHS are welcome.
2020 Media Releases
- Keeping Pets Safe During Cold Weather (Dec. 15, 2020)
- Ottawa Humane Society Expands Life-saving Foodbank Program (Nov. 24, 2020)
- Ottawa Humane Society President & CEO Inducted Into Order of Ottawa (Nov. 5, 2020)
- Cat with Gunshot Wound Rushed to the Ottawa Humane Society (Oct. 16, 2020)
- Donations to Ottawa Humane Society Tripled Until Sept. 13 (Sept. 10, 2020)
- Ottawa Humane Society Launches its First Online 50/50 Raffle, Raising Money for Animals in Need (July 9, 2020)
- Canada Day during COVID-19 Could Pose an Increased Risk to Pet Owners, says Ottawa Humane Society (June 30, 2020)
- Ottawa Humane Society Cancels Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk and Run, Shifts to Online Fundraising (June 23, 2020)
- Ottawa Humane Society Helps Pet Owners Struggling to Afford Pet Food with Emergency Pet Food Bank (June 2, 2020)
- Increased Danger to Pets Left Alone in Cars as Temperature Soars: Ottawa Humane Society (May 27, 2020)
- The Ottawa Humane Society is Reminding People to Leave Healthy Wildlife Alone (May 14, 2020)
- Ottawa Humane Society Begins Offering Appointment-Based Adoptions (May 5, 2020)
- Ottawa Humane Society Changes Its Garden Party to an Online Fundraiser for 2020 (March 30, 2020)
- The Animals Need Your Help Now More Than Ever, says Ottawa Humane Society (March 26, 2020)
- Ottawa Humane Society Urges Pet Owners to Prepare for COVID-19, Temporarily Limits Shelter Intake to Ensure Neediest Animals Receive Care (March 17, 2020)
- Long-Stay Animals in Ottawa Humane Society Care Find Homes after a Combined Five Years (Feb. 26, 2020)
- Protect Pets From Dangerously Cold Temperatures Forecast to Hit Ottawa Tonight (Feb. 13, 2020)
- This February, Love is in the Air at the Ottawa Humane Society (Feb. 6, 2020)
- Ottawa Humane Society Releases List of Five Animals in its Care the Longest, Hopes to Find Adopters Urgently (Jan. 16, 2020)
Pet Insurance
When it comes to our pets, we picture them living long healthy lives. Rarely do we think about one of our pets getting sick or injured, but we should. What would happen if you were suddenly faced with a large vet bill? Would you be prepared? This is where pet insurance plays an important role in responsible pet ownership. With pet insurance you know that these things are taken care of. With pet insurance you can choose the best vet care needed for your pet without having to worry about the cost. We have our homes and cars insured and having our pets covered is just as important.
Testimonial
When my Alaskan Malamute, Elvis, started to get nose bleeds my vet was concerned it may be a sign of something more serious. She prescribed him some medication and suggested we make an appointment to have a CT scan and to see a specialist. Though the quote for all this was high, I did not have to hesitate because his insurance would cover 80 per cent of the cost. While waiting for his appointment my sweet Elvis swallowed a spoon. Another large bill followed for the foreign body surgery and once again my insurance covered 80 per cent of the bill. Had it not been for insurance I am not sure how I would have covered even one of those bills let alone both in a three-month period. — Lindsey
Grieving the Loss of a Pet
People don’t “get over” a loss of a pet, they integrate it. We accept the reality of a loss — the absence of a pet and eventually we are prepared to invest in loving again.
Learn more about grieving the loss of a pet.
Is a Great Pet Born or Made?
We in animal welfare often talk about “Disney” dogs. Disney dogs, or cats for that matter, never pee on the carpet, don’t chew your shoes, don’t need you to exercise them. They don’t need a vet, or a groomer, and they understand anything that you calmly and rationally explain to them — or better yet, understand what you want completely intuitively. Of course, we aren’t referring to a real dog or cat; we are referring to some people’s expectation of a pet — an unrealistic expectation, and a damaging one at that.
It is damaging because we know that if someone expects a Disney pet, they are going to be disappointed, they will not bond with the pet, and there is a good chance she will end up here, surrendered to the care of the OHS.
In both animals and humans, there is controversy about “nature versus nurture.” That is, how much of what we are is a result of genetics or upbringing? Without opening that debate up too far, I think it is fair to say that there is a good dose of both in us and in our animal companions. I have often been impressed with our staff’s dogs. They are generally fantastic dogs. (I don’t often meet their cats) Over the years, I have often thought they must have excellent eyes for selecting dogs. This is likely true to an extent, but most also invest heavily in formal and informal training to make great dogs.
So, you may not have a perfect dog or cat, but the OHS has developed several dog obedience programs and dog and cat behaviour seminars, Don’t Blame the Cat and Don’t Blame the Dog for you. The Disney pet may not exist, but some investment of time and effort get at least as close as our staff have.
Bruce Roney
Executive Director
Value and Benefit of Pet Ownership
Pets have the power to change lives.
Pets make our families, communities and even ourselves healthier and happier. Studies show that owning pets, or even having contact with animals, benefits our physical, social and mental health.
Which One of These Chips Will Reunite You With Your Lost Pet?
chips (or gambling), it’s the microchip implant that will allow the Ottawa
Humane Society, the City of Ottawa, or a veterinary clinic to identify your pet
and return him to you safe and sound. It’s permanent. It’s reliable. It will return a lost pet. Dates for upcoming OHS microchip clinics
can be found at: www.ottawahumane.ca/microchip.
Losing a Beloved Pet
I am sad to write that last weekend, we made the painful decision to put down our sweet little Siamese cat, Gracie. She was almost seventeen. She had kidney problems that we knew about from when we adopted her from the OHS seven years ago, but in the end, it was a relatively rare condition in her salivary glands that made the decision to put her out of her pain clear to us. It was time. But that didn’t make it easy.
I have a lingering sadness at losing Gracie, but I know I’ll get by and one day the pain will give way to fond, bittersweet memories. The people around me know and understand, and that helps. I also know that isn’t what happens for everyone. Sometimes, some people just don’t get by and the pain doesn’t fade. Some people don’t have the support of people who understand around them. Sometimes the loss of a pet meshes with other losses, and it’s unbearable.
I am so pleased that the organization that I love is here for those people at those times. In 2016, the OHS launched a pet loss support group for people who are struggling. In the coming months, we will expand the service, taking over another online group and adding an in-person option. Losing a pet is a sad and sometimes lonely experience. Knowing I work for an organization that cares enough to help people through that helps me with my own loss.
Rest in peace Gracie. We love you and we miss you.
Bruce Roney
President & CEO
Volunteer: Pet Adoption Location (PAL) Driver/Delivery
Not currently recruiting.
The Ottawa Humane Society’s Volunteer Department is looking for two volunteers to assist our PAL team with delivering animals to PAL partner locations throughout the city of Ottawa (e.g. Pet Smart and Pet Valu locations). Tasks may include:
- Loading animal carriers (with cats and small animals) into the PAL van;
- Assisting with packaging and labeling delivery supplies;
- Unloading animal carriers and supplies into stores;
- Unloading empty carriers at the OHS;
- Assisting with setting up cat cages (in store);
- Preparing cat cages;
- Preparing adoption packets;
- Delivering/picking up OHS animals from partner locations;
- Other clerical/administrative duties as assigned.
PAL Driver/Delivery Volunteer Requirements:
- Volunteers must have a valid Ontario driver’s licence with a clean driving record;
- Volunteers must have experience working with and handling cats;
- Volunteers must be able to lift and carry a weight of 20lbs (cats in carriers);
- Volunteers must be able to get in and out of a van, making multiple trips to and from the vehicle during a shift;
- Volunteers must be comfortable taking direction from OHS staff;
- Volunteers must be consistent and reliable;
- Volunteers must be able to make a 1-year commitment;
- Volunteers must be able to commit to a three hour weekly shift.
We are looking to fill the following shifts:
- Tuesday
- 12 to 4 p.m.
- Saturday
- 12 to 4 p.m.