By Julie Smithers
A report issued in August for the Ottawa Humane Society will help establish short and long-term goals, says the society’s executive director Bruce Roney.
The report written by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) makes over 480 recommendations regarding animal care, sheltering, humane education programs, and management.
The report cost approximately $19,000. The Community Foundation of Ottawa paid roughly $11,000 and the society paid the rest.
Roney would not discuss specific recommendations of the report.
He says the society will look at the report and decide which recommendations to implement in the short term and which ones can wait.
The society’s board of directors will sort the recommendations at its Oct. 17 meeting.The community will then be consulted about which recommendations to implement, says Roney.
Kate Pullen is the director of animal sheltering issues for the HSUS. She also would not comment on specific elements of the report,but says it has been well received by members of the humane society.
“We applaud the Ottawa Humane Society for asking us to come in because it’s not inherent in our nature to seek criticism and not very many shelters and organizations have done it,” says Pullen.
One area of concern is overcrowding in the adoption centre. Sometimes there aren’t enough cages to house all the cats. Temporary cages are often set up elsewhere in the building, including halls.
Every spring, during birthing season, 30 to 35 cats are brought into the Humane Society per day, says Roney.
“We hope it’s not because people consider cats to be disposable animals,” says Roney.
Overcrowding for dogs is not a major problem because fewer dogs go stray, and owners usually claim them.
Roney says a new building would help but he points out that the report suggests the society look at what services they will offer in the next 10 years before building a new shelter.
The humane society near Dow’s Lake was built in 1968.
Miriam Smith is the society’s manager of emergency services. She says the building is getting old and new housing for the animals would help.
“At times it is overcrowded but the staff is really good at making arrangements so the animals are comfortable,” says Smith.
Mike Stevens is looking to adopt a dog from the society. He says overcrowding is an issue, but this would improve if the price for adoption was lower.
Roney says adoption fees reflect the cost of maintaining the animals’ health.