Speak Up For Paws

Speak Up For Paws We’re a registered charity tackling the community cat crisis in Ottawa and surrounding areas through TNR, advocacy, and accessible spay/neuter.

Educating our neighbours, reducing suffering, and saving lives, one paw at a time. Speak up, save a life. We are 2 women dedicated to helping cats and helping others help cats. We have teamed together to empower others through education and advocacy. We don’t claim to have all the answers or even always have the right answers. We are here to have a conversation, share and learn ourselves. Our goal

is to share our knowledge and information with likeminded individuals who are also dedicated to helping cats and other animals. Although our focus is with cats we feel that all animals deserve a voice. As individuals we can make a small difference but as a community, we can create a larger impact. Sandi Lawson- Founded and operates Adopt Me Cat Rescue. Also fosters wildlife when possible. Passionate about all animals and believes they are equally deserving of love, respect and compassion. Jackie Gauthier- Founder and owner of Jackie to the rescue Passionate about rescuing always ready to go when the call comes in whether it be for a cat or a dog all the way down to a chipmunk or a bird I will be there. Speaking up for those with no voice to speak up for themselves.

STOP TRAPPING AND RELOCATING WILDLIFE 🤬😫😭⬇️See list below for how to humanely evict. ⬇️It’s baby season. Local wildlife ...
06/09/2026

STOP TRAPPING AND RELOCATING WILDLIFE 🤬😫😭

⬇️See list below for how to humanely evict. ⬇️

It’s baby season. Local wildlife rehabbers are ALL FULL! Not just because of abandoned babies, but because of HUMANS trapping and dumping momma’s miles away and then… ohhh, there’s babies, now what?!?

This poor momma raccoon could very well die trying to make her way back to her babies. She was “relocated” miles away by someone this week for taking up residence under their mobile home. She could get hit by a car trying to get back, get in a fight with another raccoon in the territory in which she was dumped, etc.

Meanwhile, now there are abandoned babies who don’t have a mom. Often times, these babies sit in traps for days because people don’t know what to do with them while they search for a Wildlife Rehabber who has availability to help them. The problem is, this happens so frequently that everyone is full and there are no resources left to help these babies.

(While this is not cat related, it is trapping related and that is something I am very passionate about being done properly and humanely.)

Please do better. There are ways of humanely evicting a family of raccoons that doesn’t involve separating families, dumping moms, and leaving babies abandoned to starve to death.

➡️ HOW TO HUMANELY EVICT RACCOONS: ⬅️

Raccoons typically have at least 2 other dens within about a 1 mile radius of their current location. What you need to do is make their current home as unappealing as possible so that they move along on their own. They often have multiple babies to move, so this can take time. Please be patient as they won’t be able to relocate overnight. It can sometimes take up to 5 days to relocate, as they can have up to 8 babies to move.

Once they have moved out completely, you MUST IMMEDIATELY repair the point of entry, or another family will move in and you will be starting over from square one.

If you do not want to make your home attractive to these “trash pandas”, secure your trash. Don’t leave pet food sitting out. They are very opportunistic and will want to stick around if there is a food source.

🔻 OPTIONS TO ENCOURAGE HUMANE EVICTION: 🔻

DO NOT use moth balls to deter raccoons or any other wildlife. They are extremely toxic.

SCENT:
1. Spray peppermint oil around the nest, but not directly in it. Reapply every few days until they leave, then secure the area.
2. Use Fox Urine. Foxes are natural predators for raccoon kits. If a momma smells fox urine near her den, she will relocate.
3. Put rags soaked in vinegar around the nest, but not directly in it. Reapply every few days until they leave, then secure the area.
4. Sprinkle “Repels All” at the entry point, but not right near and NEVER in the nest. It is a granulated ammonia product and they will not want to stick around and smell it.

SOUND:
1. A portable radio tuned to talk radio throughout the day can be helpful. Most momma raccoons are trying to rest during the day. If her nesting area becomes noisy, she will want to relocate.
2. Ultrasonic noise pest repellant boxes positioned at the point of entry can’t help deter raccoons and encourage them to relocate.

SIGHT:
1. A bright light on constantly.
2. Amber Strobe lights positioned near the nest. Raccoons will not tolerate flashing lights for long.

06/09/2026

TNR is hard. 😫

The decision is easy when the cat is healthy and feral but what if you encounter a pregnant cat, a nursing queen, kittens, or sick cats? This is a reality of every single colony! Speak Up for Paws will TNR cats, and we go one step further, we will hold them to medicate and do necessary surgeries before releasing or finding a rescue.

What happens when we can’t find a rescue? Speak Up for Paws does not intake and adopt cats out, that’s just not what we are mandated to do. Adopt Me Cat rescue has stepped in and taken in Squeaky Cheese recently, a sweet cat who was found with neurological and wet FIP very near the end of his days. No rescue would want to take that huge expense on when everyone is so strapped at this time, and who can blame them. However, if we can’t return the cats or find a rescue, we cannot continue Speak Up for Paws and put ourselves in a situation where we have to release kittens and nursing mother’s back out on in the colony they cane from. Nobody would want us to do this, including ourselves, but we are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

How can you help? Adopt a shy cat and love it unconditionally. Support our hard decisions. Volunteer by fostering for rescue, any rescue. Volunteer by offering to drive cats to their spay neuter appointments and when you have a little bit of extra money donate. In addition, write to your MP and educate them about the real crisis in our community that they turn a blind eye to.

For now send healing vibes to Birdy.

06/06/2026

If you’re looking for a fun way to stay refreshed and encourage a good cause then this fundraiser is for you!

We have three delicious flavours for a donation of 50$ all three can be yours.

You can etransfer to [email protected] for your fun trio 😊

゚viralシ

🐾 When Pets Grieve: A True Story of Ryder & Benjamin Button 🐾At Speak Up For Paws, we know that losing a pet affects the...
06/05/2026

🐾 When Pets Grieve: A True Story of Ryder & Benjamin Button 🐾

At Speak Up For Paws, we know that losing a pet affects the entire family, including our surviving four-legged companions.

As you can see in the poster, Ryder and Benjamin Button were once loving companions sharing a happy multi-pet home. Since Benjamin Button crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Ryder has been showing real, heartbreaking grief behaviours:

🛋️ Sleeping in Benjamin Button's favourite spot to find comfort in his familiar space and lingering scent.

🚪 Trying to escape the house, desperately searching for his missing friend.

👀 Displaying searching behaviours, looking in all their favorite spots together, waiting and waiting.

Pet grief is REAL and VALID. Our animals form deep emotional bonds, and their sadness is a reflection of that pure love. 💔

💖 How We Can Help 💖
If your surviving pet is mourning a loss, you don't have to navigate this alone. Here is how we can support them through compassionate care and understanding:

✅ Recognize these signs in your own pets.

✅ Maintain stable routines and familiar schedules to provide comfort.

✅ Allow time for grieving—remember, there is absolutely no rush.

✅ Provide patient comfort and extra love.

✅ Reach out for support whenever you need a helping hand.

Let's honour the deep bonds our pets share. Have you ever witnessed a pet navigating the loss of a furry sibling? Share your stories or offer words of support for Ryder and his other companions in the comments below. 👇

Speak up for Paws would like to wish a very happy birthday to one of its most valuable members Leah Cuffe-TraunerLeah ha...
06/05/2026

Speak up for Paws would like to wish a very happy birthday to one of its most valuable members Leah Cuffe-Trauner

Leah has been part of our team for a couple of years and she has truly stepped for us in many ways from making all our posters to doing research. She is also the Admin and Founder of Lost & Found Pets Of Ottawa And Surrounding Areas.

We are very grateful for everything she does for our organization and we are very proud to have her on our side.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEAH WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY 🥳

RESERVE NOW!
06/01/2026

RESERVE NOW!

🐾 Help us control the pet population! 🐾

Our next transport for spay and neuter services is happening this Wednesday, June 10th! We are picking up from Bronson and Barrhaven and heading to the Brockville Spay/Neuter Clinic.

Service Costs:

・ Neutering: $150

・ Spaying: $255

・ Includes a microchip for identification!

Spaying and neutering not only protects your pet from serious health risks like cancer but also helps reduce the number of cats in our local rescues and shelters. Spaces are limited, so don't wait!

📧 Ready to book?
Send your request now to [email protected] to reserve your spot!

We have wine! Currently available for pickup in Rockland, Alta Vista and soon in Barrhaven. Order your today!  See flyer...
05/27/2026

We have
wine! Currently available for pickup in Rockland, Alta Vista and soon in Barrhaven. Order your today! See flyer for details.

🍷 Indulge for a Cause! 🐾

Ready to sip some great wine and make a BIG impact? We are thrilled to announce our Speak Up For Paws Wine Fundraiser!

For a $50 donation, you get a handcrafted trio of irresistible wines to enjoy at home. Whether you're a fan of sweet, crisp, or bold flavours, this set has something for everyone:

💖 Raspberry Dragon Fruit Rosé – Refreshingly sweet with exotic tropical notes.
🍑 Peach Perfection White – Crisp, smooth, and perfectly balanced.
🍒 Cherry Sangria Red – Rich, bold, and fruit-forward with a delicious twist.

Your support helps us continue our mission to Dedicate, Educate, and Advocate for animals in need.

How to Order:
E-Transfer $50 to: [email protected]
Include your phone number!

Include your preferred pickup location in the e-transfer notes:
📍 Rockland
📍 Alta Vista
📍 Barrhaven
📍 North Gower

Great wine. Big impact. Together, we make a difference. Cheers to that!

Address

Ottawa, ON

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 8pm
Sunday 8am - 8pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Speak Up For Paws posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Speak Up For Paws:

Featured

Share