I love animals, especially dogs. I have two pets and I try to provide them with the best care and love. But, when going out or travelling, I can’t always bring them along. And while they may be in the best dog care in my city, I do miss them.
But what do you do when you’re traveling and find a lost dog out there by the road? While Ottawa is one of the prettiest places you would come across in Canada, did you know that thousands of pets – including dogs and cats – are brought to the municipal pound each year because they are lost and are not wearing any identification tags?
So what do you do if you’re in Canada, and find a poor lost soul somewhere, don’t worry. There are dog rescue organizations to contact.
In Ontario, Canada, where Ottawa lies, one such non-profit organization works to help find forever homes for dogs- Ottawa Dog Rescue. They offer well-constructed and maintained all-breed foster homes for neglected and abandoned dogs.
The Canada Hustle team talked to Dr. Sabrina Kong, a Veterinarian at We Love Doodles, about promoting Ottawa dog welfare through responsible tourism. Here is what she said:
“As a veterinarian, I believe there are several innovative and practical ways both locals and tourists can contribute to the well-being of lost or abandoned dogs they encounter while traveling in Ottawa.
Creating awareness through social media can be highly effective. If you come across a lost or abandoned dog, posting about the animal on local community groups, lost pet forums, and social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can help quickly spread the word.
Adding a clear photo, description, and the location where the dog was found can increase the chances of reuniting the pet with its owner.
Then, collaborating with local animal shelters and rescue organizations is crucial. Ottawa has several reputable shelters and rescue groups that can provide immediate care and support for abandoned dogs.
Contacting organizations, such as the Ottawa Humane Society or local rescue groups, can ensure that the dog receives the necessary medical attention and a safe place to stay while efforts are made to find its owner or rehome it.
Finally, volunteering with or donating to local animal welfare organizations can make a significant impact.
Whether you offer your time to help at a shelter, foster a dog in need, or provide financial support to these organizations, every bit helps promote the welfare of lost and abandoned dogs.”
Ottawa Dog Rescue
Established in 2013, Ottawa Dog Rescue is involved in helping abandoned dogs by saving their lives and providing them with loving forever homes through adoption. It is a non-profit organization run by a team of experienced rescuers aimed at animal welfare and helping surrendered dogs find good homes with loving families.
I do recommend their team because I have seen my friends using their services, like my friend Lisa who adopted a dog through them.
She talked about how they have a large group of volunteers, including locals and veterinarians, working towards the cause. The rescued dogs are kept in foster homes where they are given proper care, food, and treatment for their injuries until they are adopted by well-suited forever homes.
The foster-based rescue team can help you should you find any injured or abandoned dogs, which are then taken to foster homes for treatment.
And if you know someone in Ottawa who are unable to take care of their pets, I recommend that you tell them to contact them through the Owner Surrender application.
Or, if you know someone looking to adopt or foster a dog in Ottawa, the Ottawa Dogs Rescue team is a good place to contact, and you can fill out a foster application form.
There is another thing that I should add here – locals or visitors travelling around also have the option to adopt the dogs. Adoption at Dog Rescue in Ottawa is an easy but well, somewhat of a bit lengthy process. That’s good too, because you wouldn’t want to have a pup or dog ready for adoption by just about anyone without proper verifications. You can scroll through a list of puppies and rescued dogs available for adoption before you fill out the form.
Bricks Coggin, CEO of ABCs Puppy Zs, talked to the Canada Hustle team about innovative ways to promote Ottawa dog welfare through responsible tourism. Here is an excerpt from the interview:
“I believe promoting Ottawa’s dog welfare through responsible tourism involves a mix of immediate rescue efforts and long-term initiatives that encourage responsible pet ownership.
When tourists encounter lost or abandoned dogs, there are several practical steps they can take to contribute positively.
First, I think it’s important for tourists to familiarize themselves with local animal welfare organizations. I always suggest having contact information for local shelters and rescue groups handy.
In Ottawa, organizations like the Ottawa Humane Society and Freedom Dog Rescue are crucial. Tourists can report found dogs to these groups or bring the animals to them directly.
I also think tourists can use social media to help lost dogs. Posting photos and descriptions of found dogs on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and local community forums can quickly spread the word.
I’ve seen firsthand how effective this can be in reuniting pets with their owners.
Tourists should also be encouraged to carry basic supplies like collapsible water bowls, leashes, and treats. I’ve done this myself and it’s amazing how a little preparation can make a big difference in the immediate care of a stray dog.
For those who want to go a step further, I suggest participating in or organizing dog welfare events during their stay. For example, they could join local dog walking groups, attend adoption events, or volunteer at a shelter.
I’ve found that even a few hours of volunteering can significantly impact both the animals and the volunteers.
To balance rescue efforts with broader goals, I think education is key. Promoting responsible pet ownership through tourism means raising awareness about spaying and neutering, microchipping, and regular vet visits.
I always stress the importance of these practices to prevent future abandonment.”
What’s the Dog Adoption Process Like with Them?
So, let’s say you are staying with your host family or friend in Ottawa, and they decide to adopt a dog. Here is what the process will be like.
Once you’ve filled it out, the NGO carries out a proper background check, including home visits and an application screening process to determine your eligibility for adoption. The team at Dog Rescue in Ottawa will follow up with you regularly after you’ve been selected as a dog’s adoptive owner for a liability check. It’s your responsibility to treat the dog right and educate yourself on the essentials of dog ownership.
But if you are not living there and are just a tourist but still want to contribute in any way for dogs, you can donate . Dog Rescue in Ottawa is completely based on fundraising and volunteering – for their treatment, medicinal, food, and shelter supplies.
As a tourist to and in Canada, you will explore the true beauty of Canadian landscapes and nature. And if you do find a lost pup somewhere in Ottawa, you know now what to do!
Guest Author: Saket Kumar
Last Updated on June 3, 2024 by Saket
Street dogs are some of the biggest sweethearts that one can provide shelter to. Instead of spending thousands of rupees on “exotic” dog breeds, it would be such a thoughtful thing to help the loyal companions near to us and in dire need of love and compassion. All the best to Ottawa Dog Rescue and hope it continues to prosper!