February 2019

On January 2, 2019, in a case brought against the Attorney General of Ontario, an Ontario Superior Court Justice found that the enforcement powers held by the OSPCA are unconstitutional. This portion of the decision was stayed for one year in order to allow the province time to establish an alternate system. In the decision, the judge wrote, “Although charged with law enforcement responsibilities, the OSPCA is opaque, insular, unaccountable, and potentially subject to external influence, and as such Ontarians cannot be confident that the laws it enforces will be fairly and impartially administered.”

He did not find the extraordinary investigatory powers in the OSPCA Act to be unconstitutional. Further, the Judge seems to have agreed the constitutional challenge was not an attack on the OSPCA itself.

So, the provincial government now has one year to create a new system in Ontario that is compliant with the Charter. Other provinces have developed systems that ensure adequate oversight of animal protection enforcement. Some provide the services directly by public employees at government expense.

The Government of Ontario has launched an appeal and the OHS will continue following the case closely.

More information can be found in this CBC report: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/animals-welfare-ospca-court-enforcement-1.4964605

In 2016, Animal Alliance and Zoocheck commissioned a report on enforcement of animal cruelty legislation in Ontario. The report was held at the time, but in the wake of the Ontario Superior court ruling, the report has now been released.

The report, written by the retired civil servant who was responsible for the OSPCA, calls for sweeping changes in the way that animal cruelty legislation is enforced in Ontario. It calls for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to investigate cruelty toward livestock, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to enforce protections for wildlife, and for domestic pets to become the responsibility of municipalities.

The report calls for the system to be fully funded, and recommends a modest tax on pet food and supplies to pay for the system.

The full report can be found here: www.animalalliance.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/report-7122-NewDirections-FINAL.pdf

It’s not uncommon to hear pet owners question whether spaying or neutering is the healthiest choice for their animal, when in reality leaving your pet unfixed is often what makes their life more difficult. Having your pets spayed or neutered will result in happier and healthier pets.

The OHS is proudly participating in World Spay Day for the third year on February 26 when we will have an even larger group of amazing and dedicated people working in our clinic to spay/neuter as many as 50 animals from the shelter and those in the care of our local partners. To help celebrate, we’re myth-busting five big anti-spay/neuter rumors you may have heard from friends, family or colleagues. Read on, share and help spread the facts!

Myth #1: My pet needs to have a litter/one heat before sterilization.
Fact: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier.

Myth #2: Neutering will make my male dog/cat less of a male.
Fact: Pets do not have any concept of sexual identity, gender or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality nor experience any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.

Myth #3: It’s not natural to spay/neuter and will upset my pet.
Fact: The domestication of animals removed them from the "natural order" and placed responsibility for their care with humans. Applying human emotions to animals is neither realistic nor applicable when it comes to identifying a need for sterilization.

Myth #4: My pet will gain weight and become lazy.
Fact: Overfeeding and lack of exercise are the leading cause of pet obesity, not sterilization.

Myth #5: My pet is so special, I want a puppy/kitten just like her.
Fact: Puppies or kittens have little chance of being exactly like their parents. There are homeless pets waiting for homes who are just as cute, smart, sweet and loving as your own.

The facts are simple: Spaying and neutering saves lives. It is one of the most important decisions that you can make for your pet. Not only does it help him or her live a happier, healthier life, but it will save the lives of many others, as well.

Buddy & Belle: River

River, a one-year-old male cat, had an unfortunate, horrible, not-very-good day in the middle of January. Somehow he ended up in the middle of the Rideau River, his face, paws and tail wounded.

Thankfully for him, our community cares greatly for animals in distress. Ottawa Fire Services were able to rescue him from the river, before River was rushed to the nearby Ottawa Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital. This poor kitty was soaking wet and suffering from hypothermia. He received immediate treatment to warm him up and dry him off before he was transferred into the care of the Ottawa Humane Society.

Read River's story and donate towards his recovery!

Pet Valu Adoption Event

Join us at Pet Valu - Richmond Village on February 16 and give a homeless pet a second chance. Visit 5919 Perth Road - Unit 100, Richmond, Ontario from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to meet some of the paw-some pets available for adoption.