January 24, 2025

Too Few People Know This…

Cheese (previously Astro) and his new family.

There is nothing wrong with giving up your pet to the OHS, another reputable animal shelter or someone who is ready to take on responsibility of the pet.

Life happens, situations change and sometimes we are no longer in a position to give an animal the care and attention they need. The most loving and responsible thing to do when this happens? Giving the animal a second chance at a bright and happy future with a new family.

Just this month, a sweet golden retriever puppy named Astro was entrusted into our care. A knee jerk reaction to seeing a pet surrendered is wondering how someone could give them up. Well, Astro’s previous family had very good reason. They had changed jobs and found they had less and less time at home — time needed to help Astro grow into the best dog he could be.

Knowing they wouldn’t be able to meet his needs, they made the extremely difficult, but compassionate decision to surrender him to the OHS.

Before I started writing this blog, we called Astro’s previous family for permission to share his story, and the very first question they asked was: How is he doing?

Our team was of course thrilled to share that he had been adopted into a wonderful new home — his previous owner was elated.

Astro’s former owners set an excellent example of how to give up a pet with love and responsibility. He was not abandoned; he was thoughtfully surrendered, to give him the best chance at a new life. Sadly, not all animals are so fortunate.

Jinko, a black lab retriever puppy was found tied to a tree in a park.

Last weekend, Jinko, a black lab retriever puppy, was found tied to a tree in a park. No one was around and it seemed like he had been abandoned. Ottawa By-law officers picked him up and brought him safely to the OHS.

It’s a tale we’ve seen many times. Kittens found in a box, an older dog left on a doorstep, an animal on the run with no clues about where they came from or how they ended up all alone.

I’ll be very clear: there is no defensible reason to abandon an animal. The OHS is always available for animals in need. While we try to help an owner to keep their pet — after all, pets belong with people who love them — where that cannot happen, we will always take the animal in.

So why are animals abandoned? Usually, these are just people who believe they have exhausted all options to care for their pet. Someone who believes their pet stands a better chance on their own. Someone who is overwhelmed with life, and just doesn’t know what else to do.

I don’t know about you, but to me, the thought breaks my heart more than anything else. Heartbroken for the pet who was lost and confused, heartbroken for the person who saw no other option.

Whether an Astro or a Jinko, the OHS is here for Ottawa’s pets and the people who love them. We are committed to helping pets stay in the homes where they are loved, but when that’s not possible, we’re here to help them find their second chance.

And it’s caring people, like you, who make those second chances possible.

Sharon Miko
President & CEO