1. Saving lives with your help
A PRESENTATION
Contact: Kristin Williams
Executive Director, NS SPCA BY THE
Phone: 902-835-4798x228 NOVA SCOTIA SPCA
Email: Kwilliams@spcans.ca
Website: www.spcans.ca

2. The Nova Scotia SPCA
Who is the SPCA? What do we do?
Protecting animals from cruelty since 1877, We are the last line of defense for animals
the Nova Scotia SPCA is a registered charity, in need in the province of Nova Scotia.
comprised of a network of Branches, which
In 2010, we investigated 1,265 allegations
relies primarily on volunteers and donations
of cruelty, neglect and abuse. Every month,
to fund animal protection; care and
approximately 1,500 calls are received at
rehabilitation; advocacy; and humane
the Provincial Office of the Society.
education.
The SPCA and its network of Branches take
The Act to Protect Animals and to Aid
in thousands of animals each year through
Animals that are in Distress mandates the
cruelty investigations, or as stray or
Society to enforce animal cruelty laws,
surrendered animals. Our objective is to
making the Nova Scotia SPCA unique among
ensure that displaced animals get a second
animal welfare organizations in the province.
chance at a loving forever home.

3. 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.

4. Our Structure
Governance The Network
The Nova Scotia SPCA has the privilege of being the SPCA Provincial Office
high-level governance body for all SPCAs in Nova SPCA Provincial Animal Shelter
Scotia, as well as the agency responsible for cruelty Cape Breton SPCA
investigation province-wide. Antigonish SPCA
This structure enables the Nova Scotia SPCA to have LaBaie SPCA
a positive impact on the lives of animals across the Yarmouth SPCA
province through standardized policies and programs Hants SPCA
and collaborative initiatives. Kings SPCA
The SPCA has direct oversight responsibilities for 10 Lunenburg SPCA
financially independent Branches, which offer intake Queens SPCA
and adoption services. The Provincial Office Colchester SPCA
oversees all cruelty investigations and the Provincial Pictou SPCA
Animal Shelter in Dartmouth intakes nearly 100% of
animals affected by cruelty, neglect or abuse.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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:

8. Our No Kill Model
CREATIVE STRATEGIES THAT SAVE LIVES
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.

9. Our No Kill Model
CREATIVE STRATEGIES THAT SAVE LIVES
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.

10. Our No Kill Model
CREATIVE STRATEGIES THAT SAVE LIVES
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.

11. Collaboration is Critical to Our Success
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.

12. Collaboration is Critical to Our Success
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.

13. 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:

14. Our Area of
Greatest Need
Provincial Cruelty Investigations
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.

15. Our Area of
Greatest Need
Provincial Cruelty Investigations
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.

16. Our Area of
Greatest Need
Provincial Cruelty Investigations
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.

17. 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

18. At Home in…
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.

19. 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

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 2011 Revenues
0.30% 7.01%
4.92%
Revenue Government
$3,000.00 0.30% Government
Carry Over From 2010
$69,875.00 7.01% Carry Over From 2010
$49,001.60 4.92% Borrowed From Investments 87.77% Borrowed From
$874,480.00 87.77% Donations and Sponsorship Investments
$996,356.60 Donations and
Sponsorship
SPCA OPERATIONS
2011 FINANCIAL FORECAST

23. 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.

24. Thank you