A Colourful Pair

These colourful lovebirds are Jay (A120601) and Ruby (A121602). They are best friends who love to spend their days chattering and singing. While not hand-tame, they do enjoy human company: especially when the human brings them treats! They love to chew on bird-safe toys. To learn more about these feathered friends, contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 ext. 258 or at adoptions@ottawahumane.ca.

Update on the new building

Here are two pictures of the construction of the new building, taken last week. As you can see the frame is coming along nicely!

The construction project is an important part of building a brighter future, but only your support for the campaign will make it happen. Click here to make a donation!

Raccoon Rescue: Dumpster Stories

This morning the OHS received a call about a raccoon stuck in a dumpster. "I've noticed him in there for about three days," said the concerned caller. Due to the circumstances, an OSPCA agent attended to rescue the raccoon.

These calls aren't uncommon at the OHS. Raccoons love garbage, and where better to find bags and bags of the stuff than in dumpsters? These clever animals climb in and enjoy a feast without considering an exit strategy.

Mom raccoon with her kits, stuck in a dumpster.

A branch was placed in the dumpster, so the mom raccoon led her babies out of the dumpster and into a nearby tree.

A simple solution is to place a large, sturdy branch or an old two-by-four into the dumpster, creating a ramp for the raccoon to climb. She may wait thirty minutes or more to climb out, peeking her head over the edge of the dumpster, to make sure the coast is clear. But if there are no branches or two-by-fours around, or if the raccoon appears injured, then the OHS will attend to assist the raccoon.


An OSPCA Agent "lassos" a trapped raccoon...

...and gently lifts him out of the dumpster.

If you see a raccoon in a dumpster, give her a helping hand by making her a make-shift ramp. But if she appears injured or very stuck, give us a call at 613-725-1532.

Dreaming of LaVie en Rose?

LaVie (A118256) is a beautiful and silky, 5 year old, spayed female. She loves to be pet during her quiet times. She is looking for a new home that will tend to her daily needs of grooming, feeding and being loved. She is a little more of an independent feline so her new owners would have to respect this and be understanding with her needs of space at times. She loves to find a place in the rays of the sun from a window to lavish up the warmth. Does she sound like the feline friend for you? Contact the OHS at 613-725-3166 ext. 258 or at adoptions@ottawahumane.ca to learn more about her!

Breaking Ground: Ottawa Paramedics help save animals' lives

The OHS has received a generous gift from one of our fellow emergency response teams. The Ottawa Paramedic Service will be sponsoring the Oxygen System: Operating Theatre in the new OHS clinic — a gift of $40,000! This crucial piece of medical equipment allows oxygen to flow freely into the clinic's operating theatre. All surgical operations performed at the OHS — including critical care and life-saving operations — make use of this oxygen system to ensure the safety and health of our animals during complicated surgical procedures.

Thank you to the Ottawa Paramedic Service and its members for helping to provide a better future for Ottawa's animals!

To learn how you can support the new shelter for Ottawa's Animals, visit our Breaking Ground website.

Thinking about adding a pet bird to your flock?

The Ottawa Humane Society currently has many budgies looking for new homes. Interested in a budgie as a pet? Here's what you need to know...

Demeanor: Budgies are active, cheerful birds who are happiest and more vocal with another budgie (or two). As a small group, they chatter to each other as they eat and groom. Their vocalizations range from a scratching sound to chirps and squeals.

Enrichment: A climbing device, bird toys, and a small, solid-sided ball for use on the floor should be included in any cage. Any parakeet living alone (not recommended) should also have at least an hour of human interaction daily. Provide clean, small branches weekly for chewing; pear or apple tree branches are safe.

Life expectancy as pet: 5-7 years

Housing requirements: Largest cage possible to allow for flight, bathing and a nest box.

Diet as pet: A prepared parakeet mix from a pet store or veterinarian (not grocery store) should be present in their cups constantly, but you should consult your veterinarian on what to add to your parakeet's diet. They should be fed fresh, dark greens and small slices of fruit daily.

In the wild

Native to: Australia, widely distributed but chiefly interior.

Habitat: Timbered grasslands, dry scrublands and open plains; timbered areas bordering watercourses.

Diet in wild: Grass seed found on or near the ground. Feeding is often accompanied by a quiet chattering.

Social structure: Most active during early morning and late afternoon. Flock size may number in the thousands when on the move, or be much smaller when resting or eating. The flock may be overlooked except when moving due to the noise they produce. Large flocks move precisely, twisting and turning as one.

Information from the Humane Society of the United States.

Otto the blue-eyed dog

This happy, handsome dog is Otto (A118993), a five year old Australian cattle dog / Labrador retriever mix. He loves squeaky toys, and barks when he’s excited. Due to his boisterous nature he’s recommended for families with older, sturdy kids. He’s so smart that obedience classes will help bring out his latent doggy talents! To learn more about Otto, contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 ext. 258 or at adoptions@ottawahumane.ca.

Attention Pugs: Howl'oween Ottawa Pug Meet-up

Saturday October 16, 2010
Lansdowne Park Dog Run 12:00-2:30 p.m.

To benefit the Ottawa Humane Society

Costume contest for best Pug costume, best owner costume and best duo costume (You and your Pug)

Ghoulish treats from Bearbum Dog Treats Co. Prizes from Wag, Posh Nosh & Fidough!

For more information, visit facebook.com/ottawapugs.

Ottawa Humane Society holds microchip clinic on Sunday, September 26

If your pet goes missing this fall, what are the chances it will find its way home? The Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) is urging animal lovers to take precautions by ensuring that if their dog or cat becomes lost, it has the best possible chance of a safe return — by implanting a grain-sized microchip offering permanent, lifelong identification.

The OHS is holding one of its microchip clinic this weekend at its Champagne Avenue location. The clinic takes place as follows:

When:	Sunday, September 26 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. By appointment only
Cost:	$50 (incl. HST) for each animal, $25 for each additional pet
Where:	Ottawa Humane Society 101 Champagne Avenue South, just off Carling Avenue, one block west of Preston Street

Call the OHS at 613-725-3166, ext. 221 or e-mail microchip@ottawahumane.ca to book your appointment today!

All proceeds will benefit the animals at the OHS. Animals should be in a carrier or on a leash. Owners should bring vaccination records and one piece of photo ID (for example, driver’s licence).

For more information, visit www.ottawahumane.ca.

Tendress is looking for a little tenderness...

Tendress (A117211) is a beautiful gray feline who is 3 years of age and is a spayed female. She is looking for a loving and caring permanent home. She's your typical kitty: playful, curious, loves to be pet for affection, and has the cutest little chirps to let you know if she needs something.

She is quite the acrobat and loves to perch atop your shoulders or on your back if she can. Tendress was a transfer from another shelter so the staff here at the Ottawa Humane Society hasn't discovered all there is to know about her, but she would love to meet you and see if there is a connection.

If you love cats and are looking for a friendly feline companion to add to your home, contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 ext. 258 or at adoptions@ottawahumane.ca to see if you are the purr-fect match!

Humane Heroes: Noah, Emma, Bradley, Dylan, Kaden, Qiara, Remy and Michael

Noah and his friends are "Humane Heroes"! During their neighbourhood’s Summer Party, the children – ranging in age from four to 12 years – sold lemonade and baked goods, with the proceeds going to "help animals without a home." They raised $50 which they donated to the Ottawa Humane Society!

A big THANK YOU to Noah, Emma, Bradley, Dylan, Kaden, Qiara, Remy and Michael for helping the animals!

Hoppiness is a chinchilla!

Big Girl

Big Girl (A120967) is one of 3 chinchillas up for adoption at the Ottawa Humane Society. Chinchillas are originally from the Andes in South America. They're used to a dry environment where they've got to hop around on rocks and cliffs. This explains their love of jumping and hopping around! Chinchillas need a roomy cage for exercise and daily playtime, because they are so active and playful.

Leland

To learn more about these popular pets, or to adopt one, contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 ext. 258 or at adoptions@ottawahumane.ca.

Lincoln

22nd annual IAMS Wiggle Waggle Walkathon raises $240,000!

Kurt Stoodley, Sandy Sharkey, OHS Executive Director Bruce Roney and
OHS President Rob Cameron and his son.

The Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) is celebrating the success of another record-breaking walkathon, held today at a brand new location on Riverside Drive, across from the RA Centre. Over 1,200 registered walkers and 2,000 participants took part in the 22nd annual IAMS Wiggle Waggle Walkathon, and raised over $240,000 for the animals, surpassing the goal and bringing in $30,000 more than last year!

"We're thrilled to have had our largest and most successful walkathon ever," said Bruce Roney, OHS Executive Director. "In addition to being a fun day, it's also our most important fundraiser of the year and we count on its success to help us care for Ottawa's animals."

Hundreds of dogs and their owners showed their support for the animals at the Ottawa Humane Society on Sunday, raising over $240,000 at the 22nd annual IAMS Wiggle Waggle Walkathon.

All funds raised today will go toward supporting the many ongoing programs and activities at the OHS, including humane education, animal visits, dog walking, adoptions, and foster care. Some of the funds will also go towards animal rescue services. Although legally mandated to enforce the animal cruelty provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada and the Ontario SPCA Act, the OHS does not receive any government funding or any funding from any animal welfare group to perform this essential work.

Check out:
• Photos from 2010
• Photos by ZoomPhoto
• WWW Video Promo

Chief Vern White to cut ribbon at IAMS Wiggle Waggle Walkathon on Sunday

Ottawa Police Chief Vern White will join hundreds of other animal lovers as he cuts the ribbon at the 22nd annual IAMS Wiggle Waggle Walkathon on Sept. 12 to raise money for the animals at the Ottawa Humane Society (OHS).

The Walkathon, the largest event of its kind in Eastern Ontario and the leading fundraiser for the OHS, is a fun-filled day featuring 2 km and 5 km walks and many displays, family activities, prizes and contests. This year's walk will also feature a microchip clinic, where pet owners can have their companions injected with a tiny chip to ensure lifetime identification.

Over 1,000 registered walkers and 2,000 participants are expected to attend this year's event and the goal is to raise $215,000 for the animals. All funds raised will support essential OHS programs and services, including the EAPS team, which rescues animals in distress, investigates cases of abuse and neglect, and provides emergency transportation for injured and sick stray animals in Ottawa.

The Wiggle Waggle Walkathon begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday at the new location on NCC property on Riverside Drive, across from the RA Centre. Free parking is available on event day at the RA Centre.

It's still not too late to register! You can sign up and collect pledges online at www.ottawahumane.ca/walkathon or at the RA Centre on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

Registration fees and generous support from our sponsors mean all pledges for the Wiggle Waggle Walkathon go to fund the care and shelter of 11,000 animals that come to the OHS each year.

Cher is looking for someone to love!

Cher (A115881) is a two year old spayed female brown tabby cat. She is looking for someone to give her love and attention. She enjoys to be picked up for short periods of time, and to follow her human friends where ever they go. She needs help watching her weight as she loves to eat! If Cher sounds like the purrfect cat for you, contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 ext. 258 or at adoptions@ottawahumane.ca.

Wiggle Waggle Walkathon pre-registration begins Thursday

The Ottawa Humane Society's (OHS) 22nd annual IAMS Wiggle Waggle Walkathon, hosted by Honorary Chair Chief Vern White of the Ottawa Police Service, takes place this Sunday, Sept. 12 at its new location on Riverside Drive, across from the RA Centre. Pre-registration and kit pick-up begins tomorrow at two convenient locations.

Save time and beat the crowds on walk day by pre-registering at one of the following sessions:

Thursday, Sept. 9, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. RA Centre, Grand Hall, 2451 Riverside Drive

Thursday, Sept. 9, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Running Room, 1581 Merivale Rd. (City View Plaza) *please leave your animal friends at home for these pick up locations

Saturday, Sept. 11, noon – 4 p.m. Walk site: Riverside Drive across from RA Centre

Remember to bring your completed sponsor forms and pledges when you register. The registration fee is $25 per participant or $20 for those who have adopted a companion animal from the OHS.

If you haven't already registered, it's not too late! You can sign up and collect pledges online at www.ottawahumane.ca/walkathon. You can also download forms from the website, or pick up a registration form at the OHS or at area pet stores and veterinary clinics.

The Walkathon begins at 10 a.m. Participants can choose between 2 km and 5 km routes. Before the walk, enjoy refreshments and demonstrations, or visit the Pet Pavilion — featuring the latest in pet products and activities galore for kids in the Family Fun Zone. The day finishes off with contests and a fantastic array of prizes.

Free parking is available on event day at the RA Centre.

Registration fees and generous support from our sponsors means all pledges for the Wiggle Waggle Walkathon go to support the care and shelter of 11,000 animals that come to the OHS each year.

Ottawa Humane Society building suffers damage after lightning strike

The Ottawa Humane Society on Champagne Avenue was struck by lightning last night, causing a temporary power outage and other electrical, telephone and computer-related damage to the 42-year-old building.

Members of the public were evacuated from the building after the lightning struck around 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday during a thunderstorm that hit various parts of the city. OHS staff had just finished the evening animal care rounds and were busy with end-of-day cleaning when the power went out, cutting the building's air conditioning and ventilation to the animal holding wards. Staff did the best they could to ensure animal safety, and an emergency electrician was called in to assist with restoring hydro. A temporary generator was rigged up, and several staff remained on site until well after midnight to troubleshoot the security system. As the phone system was knocked offline, an OHS rescue agent worked with the City of Ottawa to ensure we could still respond to animal-related emergency calls triaged through the city's call centre.

The lasting effects of the outage became evident this morning as the OHS phone system and computer network were both inoperable. Staff jury-rigged the phones to allow for handling of emergency calls, and technicians are currently on site to install a new network router and to reboot the phone system in order to return operations to normal as quickly as possible.

While the outage luckily had no effect on the animals, the cost of making the shelter functional again will top several thousand dollars.

The Ottawa Humane Society does not receive any government funding or funding from any animal welfare group, and relies solely on donations to help care for the over 11,000 animals that come through its doors every year. If you're looking to make a donation to help defray the costs of these damages, please visit our online giving pages.

Leland the Hoppy Chinchilla

Hippity hoppity hello! I am Leland (A120970), a 5 year old neutered Chinchilla. We chinchillas are lovely little animals native to South America. We are curious, active and social, and make great pets for the right people. I need a cage that is roomy enough to give me opportunity to exercise, as well as time to socialize with you and play outside of my cage. I like to have a consistent routine. As I will live about 18 to 22 years, you will need to really consider whether you can meet my needs in the long term before deciding to share your life with me or another one of my chinchilla friends.

To learn more about me, contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 ext. 258 or send an email to adoptions@ottawahumane.ca. Of course, you can also drop by the OHS to visit me!

Five Reasons to Participate in the 2010 IAMS Wiggle Waggle Walkathon!

The Ottawa Humane Society’s 22nd annual Wiggle Waggle Walkathon is this Sunday, September 12th. If you haven’t already signed up to attend, here are five great reasons you should join in the fun:

1. DOGS. Do you love dogs? Then the Wiggle Waggle Walkathon is the place to be! From little to big, from mutts to purebreds, there are literally hundreds of different dogs to be seen! Check out the photos from last year's event.

2. If you raise pledges, you’re eligible to win some great prizes! Depending on how much you raise, you get a doggy bandana, HBC gift cards, a free Puppy Picasso painting, a free pet portrait print, and ballots to the grand prize (Hot Air Balloon Adventure for 4 people with Sundance Balloons donated by CTV and $150 Baton Rouge gift certificate)! Visit our WWW Incentives page for more information.

3. The Family Fun Zone. Kids of all ages will enjoy a colouring contest, face painting, bubbles, mascots and more in the Family Fun Zone.

4. The K-9 Fun Zone. See amazing agility demos and let your dog run, jump, weave and show you that anything is possible. Find out more about Skijor / Canicross and get your dog’s photo taken as a sled dog.

5. Help the animals! The WWW raises funds for the OHS Emergency Animal Protection Services (EAPS) team. They rescue animals in distress, investigate cases of abuse and neglect and provide emergency transportation for injured and sick stray animals in Ottawa.

Please lend your support to keeping the animals of Ottawa safe and protected by collecting pledges for this year's Walkathon. With your help, we can make a positive difference in our community by making a difference in the lives of its animals.

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

OHS Pet of the Week: Snoopy

Arrr-woooo! My name is Snoopy! I am a 2 year old, neutered male, beagle mix looking for a forever home! I'm a very polite little man and would really like to find a home with a family who has had the joy of owning canine pal before. Believe it or not, but I have only three legs - but it hasn't slowed me down one bit! I love and crave daily exercise. I have to stay on leash as I follow my nose every where!

I know some of my commands but would really love the chance to show the world what a three legged dog can do! I just know I'll be the star in obedience school and doing the classes with my new family will really help me develop a strong bond with them! I should warn you though, I am a singer and man, do I like to talk when I'm not getting what I want. For that reason my new home should be single dwelling so that I do not upset the neighbours!

I'm pretty gentle in my approach but I'd like you to know I'm looking for the same in return. I would like my new family have older children (12+), who can respect my space. My new home should also be dog and cat free as I like being the only pet in the household!

Are you ready for a tripod hound? Then contact the Ottawa Humane Society at 613-725-3166 ext. 258 or at adoptions@ottawahumane.ca, or come down to the OHS to visit me!

Bella the beagle gives birth to seven pups in the OHS shelter!

Bella is a three-year-old beagle who arrived at the OHS two weeks ago, scared and alone. She was picked up on the outskirts of the city’s west end by bylaw officers. When the OHS veterinarian first saw Bella, she was concerned that the dog’s severely swollen abdomen was a sign of a pregnancy in trouble. Bella’s belly was uncommonly large, and it caused her great difficulty in moving around. In fact, Bella was capable of little more than eating and making short trips outside for fresh air. She spent most of the time sleeping in her cage, adding to the clinic staff’s worry for her well-being.

X-ray of the puppies in Bella's tummy!

But an X-ray just a few days after Bella’s arrival confirmed what Bella likely knew and we didn’t — her unborn pups were fine and she would deliver them very soon. Without an owner to claim her, and with no appropriate foster home available on such short notice, OHS staff did their best to make Bella as comfortable as possible. When they said goodbye to her on a Sunday evening, Bella was tired, but still the lovable and friendly pup who had worked her way into our hearts. On Monday morning, when staff went to check on her, Bella had a surprise waiting: seven tiny surprises in fact! Overnight, and seemingly without much difficulty, Bella had given birth to seven identical black and white pups.

Bella has proven to be a natural and relaxed mom. She caters to her pups, gently rolling over when they squeak loudly to feed. Bella has since moved into a foster home where she can nurse and care for her new family in quieter surroundings. She’ll also continue to receive the medicine needed to control the kennel cough she picked up while in the shelter, an unfortunate consequence of our crowded building where the immune systems of vulnerable animals are compromised.

In about eight weeks or so, when the pups are weaned, and healthy enough and old enough to be adopted, they’ll return to the shelter to find new and loving homes of their own. Bella will return as well, and she’ll be spayed, then she too will find a new family who will love and care for her forever.

Please help Bella and her new bundles of joy as they spend the next months in the care of an OHS foster home. Your gift will ensure this growing family will receive the regular veterinary check-ups, ongoing medical attention, food and love they need until they’re all ready for new homes.

Please help Bella, and other animals like her in need of emergency animal treatment, by making a donation.