| Keeping in Touch With You |
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| Volunteers Make the Holidays Joyous |
| As the OHS grows, so have its volunteer numbers, and the ways you have supported the animals in our community. Throughout the year you have made an incredible difference whether bringing comfort to a cat recovering from surgery, giving a dog or rabbit much needed enrichment, fostering an animal in your home, supporting an OHS event, helping the community through our food bank, helping kids learn more about being responsible pet owners or any of the essential and myriad functions at the OHS that rely on volunteers.
As our volunteers have risen in numbers, we have also seen a rising need in the community — at both ends of the leash. More people are accessing our community services to make sure they have the resources needed to care for their pets. More animals are coming to us with complex behavioural needs, requiring more attention and care than ever before to secure a happy tomorrow.
Overwhelming as it can be, volunteers buoy the OHS through all storms, ensuring there is a bright future and second chances for animals in our community. You are the heart and soul of the OHS, and we can’t thank you enough for giving so much to the animals who need you most.
Happy holidays to you and your family. We hope they are as warm and full of love as your heart is for Ottawa’s animals.
Sharon Miko, President & CEO
& Jean Nelson, Chair, Board of Directors |
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| Wonderful Wilber |
| During the snowstorm earlier in December, an unusual guest blew into the OHS. Meet Wilber! He’s a sweet little pig who was brought to us after being found roaming around alone in Kemptville.
We’ve given Wilber a neuter surgery and will soon transfer him into the care of our partners at Penny Lane Farm Sanctuary where he will live his best life.
We tremendously value our relationships with all of our partners – together, we’re saving more lives! |
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| Fern’s Incredible Transformation |
| You may have seen Fern’s story on social media. She came into our care in the summer and she was little more than skin and bones.
After months of love and care to get her back to a healthy weight, she recently went home with her perfect forever family. Fern’s transformation was only possible thanks to the care and love OHS volunteers bring every day. Thank you so much.
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| Foster Volunteer Survey Feedback |
| Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our foster volunteer satisfaction survey! You gave us a lot of great feedback including some very kind words about our foster staff team and sharing that it’s rewarding to give a homeless animal an experience outside of the shelter.
Your feedback also showed that there are steps we need to take to communicate even better with our foster volunteers and that there are further training resources we can develop to make sure volunteers can do the best for the most animals.
A huge thank you again to everyone who completed the survey and all of our volunteers!
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| Santa Pet Pics — A Claus Crew |
| This year’s Santa Pet Pics are just about wrapped up! We’ve shared before that our wonderful Santas are volunteers, but this year we wanted to recognize the entire crew! From welcoming guests, helping families and pets pose for the perfect shot, and capturing the magic on camera, volunteers make Santa Pet Pics possible.
Thank you to all involved and for making lasting holiday memories for families in our community. Check out the website to see some of the great pictures from this year’s batch!
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| The Need Doesn’t Take a Holiday |
| OHS volunteers make a difference throughout the year, and your dedication shines even brighter during the holidays. OHS volunteers continue to show up and make an amazing difference for the animals even on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.
Right now, there are close to 500 animals at the shelter and in the care of foster homes — about 20% more than we had at the same time last year. Volunteers make sure the animals receive the life-saving love and care they need every day of the year.
For those resting and those who continue to bring joy to the animals during the festive season, thank you so much for everything you do.
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| Open House, Open Hearts |
| This month, we held our annual holiday open house and welcomed our community of supporters who give to build a more humane and compassionate community. A special thanks to the volunteers who helped make the event happen including our Auxiliary who ran a craft sale, greeters, parking attendants and more!
An extra special shout out to Daniel who filled in as a shuttle bus driver at the last minute!
Thank you for making this special event possible!
Close to 200 people dropped by to see their donations in action and we had adoption appointments happening throughout the day.
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| Double Your Gift for the Animals |
| As a volunteer, you give your time for Ottawa’s animals. Right now, thanks to a generous donor, all donations made to the OHS are being matched until Dec. 31.
After the postal disruption, we expect to fall a bit short in fundraising efforts and we are looking to our caring community to go even further for the animals this holiday season.
When you make a gift of life-saving care, your gift will go twice as far for animals in need.
Thank you for making second chances possible for Ottawa’s homeless animals.
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