Animal Services

• Shelter supplies: towels, face cloths, hand towels, gift cards for major retailers or pet stores
• For cats: non-clumping cat litter, cat treats, hot water bottles. heating pads, kitten milk replacer (KMR)
• For dogs: leashes, martingale collars, dog treats (soft and hard), Kuranda beds, stainless steel bowls
• For small animals: rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, bird and rat pellets or food, Timothy hay or alfalfa, aspen shavings, aquariums, aquarium filters, fish care supplies (nets, lights, heaters, gravel, food, etc.), reptile heat lamps, UV lamps, reptile care supplies, small animal cages, bird cages, small animal water bottles, small bowls
• For enrichment: dog toys, cat toys, catnip, stuffed animals, Kongs, paper lunch bags, wine corks, CD players, large rawhide, wooden chew toys for rabbit and guinea pig, small animal running wheels
• Other items: wool of any type, this will be given to volunteers to knit blankets for our kitties, gift cards for pet stores, Canadian Tire, Walmart or Home Depot, etc. or Canadian Tire money
• Become a Foster Parent: Our Foster Program provides temporary, safe and loving homes to cats and dogs until they can return to our Adoption Centre and be adopted by their new family. This program offers a second chance to many animals that would not thrive in a shelter environment. All supplies and medical care for animals in foster are covered by Oshawa Animal Services. Any medical care decisions are made by Oshawa Animal Services before proceeding. 
  
  Animals might enter the Foster Program because they are not ready to be put up for adoption, pregnant and nursing moms and kittens, they are too young, too sick or are injured. Fostering can last for a little as a few days or as long as 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the particular animal’s needs.
  
  If you are interested in becoming a Foster Parent, call 905-436-3311 or email animal@oshawa.ca for more information.

Oshawa Animal Services offers many exciting volunteer experiences such as:

• Dog walking     
• Feline enrichment
• Pet photography
• Adoption promotion - Help us spread the word about our adoptable animals by sharing our social media posts and tweets!

Volunteering with Oshawa Animal Services is sure to be a fun, exciting and rewarding experience. At the same time, you will be contributing to the physical and emotional wellbeing of the animals in our care.

1. Fill out a: volunteer application, volunteer police check letter, and a volunteer reference check form and submit it to Oshawa Animal Services
2. You will be contacted for an interview
3. Following your interview and if successful, you will attend orientation and training

Even if you are unable to volunteer onsite at Oshawa Animal Services, you can help in many other ways!

Want to help provide enrichment for the cats in our care that are waiting for adoption?  Below are links to a few ideas for creating enrichment items at home that can be donated to our enrichment program or even fun for your own cats!

• How to make cat scratching ropes
• 5 free (or almost free) feline enrichment ideas
• Enrichment ideas made with everyday household items at low/ no cost
• Small knitted blankets - approx. 16" x 20"
• Hanging cat scratchers using carpet remnants and shower rings
• Peppermint & lavender essential oils- calming for kitties that are feeling stressed
• Simple enrichment ideas for cats
• More homemade cat toy ideas

First, there's physical health. If the cat is active he/she has a greater chance of staying in better shape. His/her muscles get a good workout, his/her bones stay strong and he/she's more likely to develop a normal, healthy appetite. Now, let's look at the benefits you may not be aware of. A cat who has positive experiences usually has more confidence.

Fun, safe environment equals a happy, confident cat. Stressful or boring environment equals unhappy, stressed cat.

Since cats are sensory-driven, if a cat has no tension release, she may come up with one that isn't beneficial. A common anxiety-relieving behaviour is over-grooming. The cat may self-groom so much that bald spots appear. By providing outlets for energy release, the cat has something to do so he/she doesn't need to engage in destructive behaviours.

Studies have shown when a cat is hunting; a brain chemical (dopamine) is released that creates a feeling of eager anticipation. This release is initially triggered by the sound or scent of prey. Cats enjoy being in hunting mode. Dr. Jaak Panksepp, a neuroscientist at Washington State University is a researcher on this topic. He refers to this feeling as the Seeking Circuit.  An analogy might be the way kids feel on Christmas morning before presents are opened!

When in the seeking circuit, it would make sense that the cat would be less anxious, depressed or bored. Opportunities to experience eager anticipation and exploration are important. Luckily for us, cats in our care can experience the seeking circuit through toys and playtime.

Happy cats equals less stressed cats equals more adoptable cats!