a presentation by the nova scotia spca

A PRESENTATION

BY THE

NOVA SCOTIA SPCA

Contact: Kristin Williams Executive Director, NS SPCA Phone: 902-835-4798x228 Email: [email protected] Website: www.spcans.ca

Saving lives with your help

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.spcans.ca/

The Nova Scotia SPCA

Who is the SPCA? Protecting animals from cruelty since 1877, the Nova Scotia SPCA is a registered charity, comprised of a network of Branches, which relies primarily on volunteers and donations to fund animal protection; care and rehabilitation; advocacy; and humane education.

The Act to Protect Animals and to Aid Animals that are in Distress mandates the Society to enforce animal cruelty laws, making the Nova Scotia SPCA unique among animal welfare organizations in the province.

What do we do? We are the last line of defense for animals in need in the province of Nova Scotia.

In 2010, we investigated 1,265 allegations of cruelty, neglect and abuse. Every month, approximately 1,500 calls are received at the Provincial Office of the Society.

The SPCA and its network of Branches take in thousands of animals each year through cruelty investigations, or as stray or surrendered animals. Our objective is to ensure that displaced animals get a second chance at a loving forever home.

Mission and Vision MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Nova Scotia SPCA is to prevent abuse, neglect and cruelty to animals, and provide for province-wide leadership on matters that promote and improve the welfare of all animals through animal protection; care and rehabilitation; humane education; advocacy and engagement and collaboration with stakeholders.

VISION STATEMENT

The vision of the Nova Scotia SPCA is that Nova Scotia be a No Kill province and a safe place for all animals with zero tolerance for animal cruelty.

Our Structure

Governance The Nova Scotia SPCA has the privilege of being the high-level governance body for all SPCAs in Nova Scotia, as well as the agency responsible for cruelty investigation province-wide.

This structure enables the Nova Scotia SPCA to have a positive impact on the lives of animals across the province through standardized policies and programs and collaborative initiatives.

The SPCA has direct oversight responsibilities for 10 financially independent Branches, which offer intake and adoption services. The Provincial Office oversees all cruelty investigations and the Provincial Animal Shelter in Dartmouth intakes nearly 100% of animals affected by cruelty, neglect or abuse.

The Network

SPCA Provincial Office SPCA Provincial Animal Shelter

Cape Breton SPCA Antigonish SPCA

LaBaie SPCA Yarmouth SPCA

Hants SPCA Kings SPCA

Lunenburg SPCA Queens SPCA

Colchester SPCA Pictou SPCA

Accomplishments

2010 Highlights 1. A strengthened provincial network of Branches

2. Standardized provincial policies and procedures

3. Increased responsiveness in the field

4. Increased training for the inspectorate and animal care workers

5. Improved interagency cooperation and greater engagement with stakeholders

6. The development of standards of care for companion animals based on published veterinary codes of practice

7. The introduction of new evidence and science based educational materials, white papers and position statements

8. An enhanced and respected profile with members, donors, government, veterinarians, media and industry

* The SPCA won two international industry awards in 2010 for Wellness and Education programs.

Statistics ANIMAL CARE

• Over 70% of intake is owner or public surrender

• Live release rates increased from 65% in 2009 to 83% in 2010 and 88% in the first quarter of 2011.

• Annual intake between 6,000-8,000 animals

CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS

• 18,000 calls per year

• 1,200 to 1,500 investigations per year

• Only 2 provincial investigators for the entire province

• An annual operating budget of $500,000

• $3,000 in government funding

Our No Kill Model CREATIVE STRATEGIES THAT SAVE LIVES

The guiding principles of the SPCA’s No Kill model focuses on increasing live release rates with a commitment of attaining a record of 90% or higher.

All healthy and medically treatable animals will be given every opportunity for adoption and euthanasia will be reserved only for reasons of mercy or aggression. Killing for space is not an option.

In 2010, the Society embraced no kill with a number of creative lifesaving solutions. In the fall of 2010, we earned two international industry awards the areas of education and wellness.

Here are some examples of our programs:


Transfer system: we transfer animals around the province to alleviate intake pressures and ensure that every animal has a chance for a speedy adoption. Pictured here is our first transfer from Cape Breton to Halifax!

Municipalities: we are working with individual municipalities and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities to determine ways to close the gaps in services and help more animals. In the Town of Windsor, we effectively introduced an adoption pact, where unclaimed animals are assured the opportunity to be adopted by the SPCA, where they otherwise may have been euthanized for space.


Palliative care foster program: we introduced a program that helps senior animals and those with compromised health live out their years in the comfort and loving environment of a home.

Outreach spay and neuter: we are working with low income families to offer low cost spay neuter services to assist with curbing overpopulation. Overpopulation directly affects the cycle of neglect, abuse and cruelty. It also directly affects shelter population.


Girl Guides Challenge: Our expanded program saw more than 1,600 ladies learn more about responsible and humane animal care of animals in 2010-2011. We had participation from across Canada and we even had a group from Germany take part! Pictured here are the Guides of Antigonish!

Superior animal care protocols: Parvo virus is a very serious illness that almost always results in euthanasia. We have introduced a protocol which is allowing for the successful treatment of Parvo in shelter dogs. Faith is pictured here before and after her successful treatment.

Atlantic Network The Nova Scotia SPCA is leading efforts on a collaborative project involving the Atlantic Provinces and their respective Humane Societies and SPCAs. Current partners include: the New Brunswick SPCA, the Fredericton SPCA, The PEI Humane Society, the Moncton SPCA and the SPCA of Newfoundland and Labrador. This Network will be focusing on sharing ideas, growing the network and exploring efficiencies and cost sharing. Commitments for 2011 include an Atlantic transfer system (to alleviate intake pressures) and a reciprocal adoption program.

Collaboration is Critical to Our Success

http://www.spca-nb.ca/index.php

Partners in Welfare The Nova Scotia SPCA works closely with agencies, associations and government. Each has a role to play in the protection of animals. One of the ways that we ensure that we can address gaps in services experienced by the public and the companion animal population is to take a collaborative approach to our mandate. The only way to achieve a more compassionate Nova Scotia is if we work together.

Collaboration is Critical to Our Success

Our Area of

Greatest Need Provincial Cruelty Investigations

In 2010, we received over 18,000 calls regarding the welfare of animals. We are mandated to enforce cruelty laws, but rely on donations to carry out our duties.

The Society struggles with resources, managing vast geography and the limits of legislation. With all considered, our record in the courts is exemplary, with the majority of those accused pleading guilty on their first appearance!

Cruelty investigations continues to be the area of our operations that struggles to achieve profile . It is our area of greatest need. Here are some of our stories:

Our Area of


Case #1

A clothesline wire was wrapped tightly around a dog’s nose and neck and the dog was left in a shed in pain and suffering.

The owner was found guilty and issued a 5 year ban.

Due to the strength of the case, the owner pled guilty at the first appearance.

The dog has since found a new loving, forever home.

Our Area of


Case #2

27 pure bred huskies were found in deplorable conditions at the hands of an irresponsible breeder.

The accused pled guilty on the first appearance and covered all vet costs.

The sentence included an ownership ban.

Many of the dogs have already found loving forever homes and some are in foster care learning how to be pets again.

Our Area of


Case #3

The Society removed 72 cats from a dwelling only to return a short time later to remove 33 more cats and 5 dogs.

The party pled guilty on the first appearance and was given a 10 year ban on ownership.

The animals that were saved found loving forever homes.

Critical Issues

in Canada

2011 IS THE YEAR OF THE CAT

Provincial SPCAs/Humane Societies are collaborating with veterinarians and industry to bring awareness to the needs of cats to improve their health, safety and value within our communities.

1. Cruelty, neglect and abuse towards cats is under reported

2. Hoarding of cats is on the rise

3. Cats have little to no protection under the law; municipal, provincial or federal

4. The cat population continues to rise: owned, stray (abandoned/lost) and feral (wild) are reproducing at alarming rates

5. Shelters, rescues and trap, neuter and return groups are taxed with limited capacity and resources

6. Only limited donor dollars are supporting initiatives to address this growing dilemma

Hoarding Stray and Feral Cats Crowded Shelters

The most disturbing trend in Nova Scotia is hoarding. Hoarding is something that the Society struggles to deal with because of the lack of resources and infrastructure to address the complexity of these cases that involve both human and animal victims.

At Home in…

Trends within Animal Welfare COMMON COMPLAINTS

1. Backyard breeders and brokers (mill operations)

2. Animals not provided with suitable or adequate food, water or shelter

3. Animals suffering from neglect

4. Animals not protected from injurious weather or conditions that may cause injury

5. Animals suffering injury or disease and not provided with veterinary care

6. Animals confined, tethered or abandoned

Donor Dollars at Work

Donor dollars make up the majority of the Society’s revenues. The annual funding commitment from the provincial government to support cruelty investigations is $3,000. A budget of $996,356.60 supports provincial cruelty investigations and animal care.* * Each regional Branch has a separate incremental operational budget and relies on donations to offer intake and adoption services.

Corporate Support

In addition to the generosity of individual donors, the SPCA partners with corporations to help alleviate operational costs. Many new partners have joined our community of support, including IAMs, Petsecure, Boehringer and O’Regan’s to name a few.

SPCA OPERATIONS

2011 FINANCIAL FORECAST

2011 Revenues

0.30% 7.01% 4.92%

87.77%

Government

Carry Over From 2010

Borrowed From

Investments

Donations and

Sponsorship

Revenue

$3,000.00 0.30% Government

$69,875.00 7.01% Carry Over From 2010

$49,001.60 4.92% Borrowed From Investments

$874,480.00 87.77% Donations and Sponsorship

$996,356.60

Why the Nova

Scotia SPCA ABOUT THE NOVA SCOTIA SPCA

• We are one of the largest non-profits in the province.

• We have a provincial mandate and a provincial scope.

• We are the province’s leading animal welfare organization.

OUR CHALLENGES

• Stable funding (multi-year).

• Public awareness of the work and needs.

• Capacity to address the needs.

Thank you