BC SPCA POLICY STATEMENT

Revised: November 1996, April 1997, January 1999

#23 - SHELTER ACCEPTANCE OF CATS AND DOGS

No BC SPCA Shelter shall refuse to accept a cat or dog, if after exploring acceptable options, no other humane solution is available.

Rational:

Branch Shelter staff should strive to offer a service which is readily available to all animals normally handled at a Shelter, as well as to the public who pay a visit for a legitimate purpose. If the Shelter has reached capacity because of demanding circumstances, offer clear guidance on the best possible alternatives to meet animal welfare imperatives. Shelter procedures and euthanasia policy at the Branch level should not compromise our constitutional aims and objectives, nor jeopardize the opportunity to provide the highest possible standard of community service.

Except for those animals which fall within the terms of Animal Control By-laws, Shelter Managers are discouraged from indiscriminately referring clientele to their local pound as a convenient means of compliance, nor should this policy be applied as an expedient medium to fudge euthanasia statistics.

To set a mandatory surrender fee as a condition of leaving an unwanted* animal at a Shelter violates the intent of the policy. Only suggested fees or donations are acceptable.

*Unwanted: includes both strays and owned animals