Ottawa Humane Society is a 4-star charity with an above average results reporting grade. It is financially transparent and its overhead costs are within Ci's reasonable range for overhead spending. Its reserved funds can cover its program costs for 2.4 years.

Founded in 1888, Ottawa Humane Society (OHS) cares for ill, injured and homeless animals in Ottawa. The charity reunites lost pets with their owners and supports rescued pet adoptions. It also provides medical care for animals. Ottawa Humane Society promotes public education and awareness of animal welfare. The charity’s programs include Animal Shelter, Clinics for medical care, and Volunteer and Outreach.

Animal Shelter – 60% of program spending

Ottawa Humane Society received 3,236 pets in F2022. The charity did not turn away a single animal in need. It reports a placement rate of 100% for healthy cats and dogs, 98% for treatable cats and dogs, and 99% for rehabilitable cats and dogs. 80.8% of animals brought to the shelter leave alive.

Volunteer and Outreach – 20% of program spending

In F2022, Ottawa Humane Society had 629 volunteers supporting its programs. They provided 29,375 hours of work. Foster volunteers housed 642 cats, 32 dogs and 107 small animals. Ottawa Humane Society also organizes outreach programs. These include Animal Education for Newcomers to Canada, Pet Savvy and Animal Visits. These programs provide pet ownership and animal care education. The Shelter Buddies program provides support to at-risk youth through interaction with animals.

Clinic and Mobile Clinic – 17% of program spending

Ottawa Humane Society provides medical care for suffering animals. In F2022, this included 1,341 surgeries, 1,186 spays and neuters, 458 X-Rays and 332 dental procedures. The spay/neuter operations take place in mobile clinics. The charity also microchipped 210 animals and humanely euthanized 683 pets. Euthanized pets have serious medical or behavioural issues or suffer from extreme fear.

Community programs, including the child and youth programs, make up the final 3% of program spending. These promote education around animal welfare through birthday parties, camps and field trips.

Ottawa Humane Society reported donations and special event revenues of $9.5m in F2022. Ottawa Humane Society received $1.0m in government funding in F2022. Administrative costs are 10% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 24% of donations and special events. For every dollar donated, 66 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

Ottawa Humane Society has $13.6m in funding reserves. This is enough for the charity to cover program costs for around 2 years and a half.

In F2020, Ottawa Humane Society paid external fundraisers $580k which raised $1.8m in donations. This means it costs the charity $0.32 to raise $1.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Ottawa Humane Society for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on May 25, 2023 by Victoria Allder.