December 2019

Thank YOU for Making such a Paw-sitive Difference for the Animals!

Foster Volunteers Help Save Lives

Volunteers do a tremendous amount of work for the OHS. We would not be able to offer so many amazing programs and services to our community or help as many animals as we do without the skills, experience, enthusiasm and passion of our dedicated volunteers. For this, we sincerely thank you!

One very special team that continues to offer animals a second chance are OHS foster volunteers. We rely on foster volunteers to help animals in need of behavioural intervention and/or medical intervention to help them become adoptable. Some very special animals require even more support, remaining in foster homes while they are available for adoption. Regardless of what kind of animals they foster, foster volunteers all share a similar passion — a love for helping homeless animals overcome their barriers to adoption. Through their kind and loving approach, they help us remedy 1,300 – 1,500 animals each year.

As amazing as these statistics are, we do struggle to find as many available foster homes for the number of animals in need. Our dedicated foster team will often receive emails with urgent appeals requesting foster homes for more than 50 animals in need of immediate placement. Many of these animals require additional training before they can be adopted: cats in need of litterbox monitoring (to ensure proper use), shy/fearful dogs and cats, or dogs in need of a responsive trainer due to handling sensitivities.

We need more foster homes to help more animals and we cannot do this alone. So please help us spread the word, or consider joining this team today. We’re happy to supply all of the food, litter, basic supplies, veterinary examinations and medical treatments — we just need your time, attention and love. Join now to start saving lives today.

2019 Ho-Ho-Ho-liday Schedule

Thank You for Joining Us!

The volunteer department held our latest volunteer workshop, Fun with Felines (clicker training for cats), at the OHS on Nov. 22. Thank you OHS volunteers for your continued contributions to giving animals a second chance. We look forward to sharing more workshops for your learning pleasure in 2020!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

On behalf of the OHS and the animals in our care, we extend our sincerest appreciation for all of your hard work and ongoing commitment to giving animals a second chance. We wish you, your families and furry friends all the best for a joyful holiday season and a safe and happy New Year!

Event Volunteers: Thank You For All of Your Hard Work!

A HUGE thank you goes out to our event volunteers for helping with our busiest event season of the year! Over the past two months, event volunteers have been hard at work supporting both on- and off-site events, including:

• Howl-o-Ween Open House;
• Pet Expo;
• Holiday Open House;
• Critter Christmas Family Event;
• Our ongoing Santa Pet Pics Event and more!

These events and their success would not be possible without each and every one of you. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm in ensuring our events help the animals that need our care!

We are recruiting to keep up the success! Do you enjoy meeting new people, getting out in our community, all while helping to raise funds for the animals in our care? If you answered “YES,” you should join our events team today! Please contact the manager: volunteers to learn more.

HO! HO! HO! Santa Paws is at the OHS until Dec. 22 and he can’t wait to meet you and your furry friends! Please bring your human and furry family members to have your portrait taken with Santa and help Ottawa's animals. Funds raised through this festive event go directly to supporting the animals in our care. Dates and times of photo sessions are available here.

Save the date! Are you looking for something fun to do with the whole family during winter break? Stop by the OHS on Friday, Jan. 3 between 12 and 3 p.m. for some free family fun! You can look forward to crafts, games, treats and of course — visits with OHS animals! We hope to see you there.

PAWS 4 Wellness — No More "Ruff" Days at the Office!

Jan. 20, popularly known as Blue Monday, has been deemed the saddest day of the year. In 2020, we want to help you turn this into the most PAWSitive day of the year! Join the OHS and take a PAWS in your work day for some canine and kitten cuddles! PAWS 4 Wellness is a workplace charitable campaign whereby local companies raise money to receive an OHS animal visit.

In order to receive an animal visit, companies must raise a minimum of $1,000. OHS animal visits will be one-hour in length, and will include a team building activity. Visits will be conducted by trained OHS staff and volunteers. Interested in learning more? Click here to sign-up today.

Who’s Feeling Lucky? Warm Hearts Raffle Tickets on Sale Now!

• First place: $6,000
• Second place: $3,000
• Third place: $2,000

The Standards Program Trustmark is a mark of Imagine Canada used under licence by the Ottawa Humane Society.