Yarmouth SPCA Animal Shelter

Yarmouth SPCA is a branch of the Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. There are currently eleven branches of the SPCA, including five animal shelters. Yarmouth SPCA animal shelter is the only SPCA shelter west of Halifax. A provincial act of the N.S. legislature was passed in 1877 to incorporate the N.S. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Yarmouth SPCA was the first branch and was formed in 1900. Many years ago the N.S. SPC took care of children, women and animals. Yarmouth SPCA built an animal shelter in 1982/83 with an extension added in1989. There are currently three full-time employees and three part-time employees. The shelter is under the direction of an eleven member volunteer board of directors. Yarmouth SPCA is a non-profit charitable organization. Two of the employees are provincially appointed cruelty investigation agents and also special constables. These agents investigate cases of cruelty or neglect of animals reported by telephone or letter by members of the public. Legally they cannot act on anonymous information. All reports are kept strictly confidential. There are approximately 200 cruelty, neglect or abuse investigations per year in Yarmouth town and county, resulting in the occasional court case. Most investigations are due to a lack of knowledge of how to care for the animal properly, so instructions are provided and a follow-up takes place. Yarmouth SPCA rescues and takes care of abused, abandoned, homeless animals and attempts to find good homes for the unwanted and healthy animals in our care. The shelter has space for approximately 28 each of dogs and cats and is usually full to capacity at all times. All animals up for adoption are vaccinated, de- wormed, spayed or neutered. All cats are tested for feline leukemis and treated with Revolution. Every animal adopted has to be spayed or neutered in a time period. This is mandatory. Yarmouth SPCA animal shelter has approximately 1500 animals per year admitted to the shelter. Some are reclaimed by their owner, some are adopted and others have to be euthanized. Unfortunately, this community has an over-population of cats and dogs- all caused by pet owners not having their pets spayed or neutered, which is very important. Animals are unselfish beings who rely on us and love us unconditionally in return. Can we say the same is true of humans? The least we can do for our animals is love them, do our best to care for them, and respect them as living beings for as long as they are around to share their lives with us. Yarmouth SPCA provides humane education in the area schools to teach young people how to be responsible pet owners and have compassion for animals. Yarmouth SPCA receives no government funding. The expenses of running the shelter are covered by fundraising, memberships, donations, dog control services and community events.