Ottawa health and wildlife officials issue safety reminders

The Ottawa Humane Society and Ottawa Public Health have issued guidance regarding wildlife encounters and animal-related health risks as seasonal activity increases.

The Ottawa Humane Society advises residents to maintain distance from wildlife to prevent unnecessary interventions. Officials noted that many juveniles appearing abandoned are actually being cared for by nearby mothers. The society receives approximately 1,400 sick, injured, or orphaned animals annually and recommends keeping dogs on leashes and cats indoors to protect both local wildlife and pets.

Separately, Ottawa Public Health has reminded medical professionals of the mandatory duty to report all mammal bites or contacts that could potentially transmit rabies. Rabies remains a fatal infection, and timely post-exposure prophylaxis is critical. In 2024, Ontario recorded one locally acquired human case of rabies, and nearly 200 individuals in Ottawa reported potential bat exposures.