This is supposed to be a commendable organization? I have a friend who desperately needed to find homes for two adult cats, and the SPCA turned her away. Without explanation, she was denied shelter, or any assistance from them. Luckily, she ended up finding good homes for both cats before she had to leave the country..with no help from this shoddy excuse for an organization. They will never see another donation from me, nor will i ever reccomend thier name to anyone i know.
This article appears in Feb 21-27, 2008.
I feel bad for your friend. I adopted a kitty about 6 years ago now. He is a part of our family. Even when we travel. He was abandoned in an empty apartment and nothing to eat before he came to us. I think that its shameful that an organization like SPCA would do something like that. I realize they have limits too. NMH big hugs to you for what you done for your dog really I wish more people were like you!
My partner and I have also adopted a dog and taken in multiple cats over the years and made them a part of our home and family. We love them, they love us. And we have gone without when necessary to ensure the best possible care, food and comfort.I would still give money to the SPCA. It is unfortunate that the SPCA did not or could not help the OP’s friend. It is my guess though, that the friend was the recipient of bad customer service rather than disregard. The Metro shelter is overwhelmed because of the Celtic Pets seizure – 79 cats and 51 dogs. They have moved many of their current adoptees to other shelters in NS, NB, and PEI to cope with the sudden influx.That said, the SPCA should be aware of what their front-line staffers and volunteers are saying to the general public. A simple explanation (if this was the case) would have gone much further to engendering the OP’s continued support and good will than a brusque brush off.I am happy that your friend was able to find good homes. There is nothing more distressing to good pet owners than not being able to provide for your *add term of endearment here*.
I can see where you are coming from. It is irritating. But all I can think about is how many sickos are out there looking for animals to abuse. If it were very simple to get an animal from the SPCA we may (or may not) be sending the animal into a terrible situation. I think by not donating anymore you would be perpetuating the problem of there not being enough room! I love animals dearly and I wish things were better. Organizations such as Heavenly Creatures (in Newfoundland, I’m not sure about Nova Scotia) and Bide Awhile are wonderful with their no-kill policy. I feel your frustration, but for the sake of the animals I am glad that there are some hoops to jump through before people can adopt.
“three” is right. You were likely the victim of bad communication from the front lines. The SPCA metro location is overwhelmed with all the pets that came in from the Celtic pets seizure, to the point that they have had to re-locate some of the seized pets even to a heated storage facility. Because of the legalities, they are currently unable to give any of the Celtic Pets animals out, and they’ve moved their regular adoption pets to other shelters throughout the Maritimes. It’s unfortunate that your friend was given a cold ear, but it could have been worse if they HAD taken in the two cats and then been overcrowded, and have the pets get sick. I say this not because of two cats, but because they would have to take in every person that brought them animals and at the moment they just do not have the space.
Before I found my dog, I applied for 2 at the SPCA and was rejected for each. Maybe it was because I was only 23 at the time, working for not much more than minimum wage, and renting my flat. I looked bad on paper, I guess. There was never any interview to see what type of person I was, which I dont think makes any sense. My dog loving friend, who worked nights at an excellent job, was also rejected for 3 different dogs there; he ended up finding his through the newspaper. Fortunately, I met my future puppy in the parking lot of the SPCA, before he was taken inside; so I didnt have to apply for him. That dog has been with me through everything; I trained him professionally, always fed him the very best, premium pet food, took out an emergency loan from the university (who didnt know it was for this reason) when he fell sick and had to be hospitalized, I gave him all the excersise, all the affection and love a dog could ask for. I made him a part of my family, and when I left the country, I paid up the butt to fly him with me so I wouldnt have to give him up. I am a devoted pet owner, but unfortunately the SPCA didnt have the proper set of criteria by which to judge me. It’s sad that animals there are missng out on the chance to be adopted by devoted animal lovers.
I’ll still donate to them too because of the innocent animals there; they need our help. It just kills me to go in there, all those pleading, furry little faces! I just think that maybe the SPCA should needs a slightly different screening process to determine who gets to adopt the animals there. Just because someone owns a house with a yard, is married, drives a nice car and has a great income doesn’t necessarily mean they wont be abusive or neglectful.