As the Executive Director of the Lloydminster & District SPCA I field many questions from the public. One of the most important questions people ask me is, “what is a humane society” and “why is a humane society necessary to the community”. The Webster’s dictionary definition of Humane is “having a disposition to treat other human beings or animals with kindness”. As a humane society, we care for the Midwest’s unwanted, neglected and abandoned companion animals. Our vision is a loving, responsible home for every animal.
Other questions I field are … Why should I license my dog? Why should I pay to release my cat to you? Why should I bring in that stray dog or cat? I do not have any animals, why should I help fund an animal shelter? Why should I Spay or Neuter my pet? I could go on but I would like to just touch on these.
The short answer to all of the above is …We domesticated them - now it’s our responsibility to care for them!
The longer answers are…
1. Why should I license my dog? Licensing your dog is the law. As a responsible pet owner, having a license on your dog ensures we can reunite him or her to you if they get lost.
2. Why should I pay to release my cat to you? The fees we charge for the services we provide do not even start to cover the costs we incur while caring for those animals and finding them a new home. The balance of our expenses is covered by fundraising and donations. We need to pay the bills just like any organization.
3. Why should I bring in that stray dog or cat? If your city, town or municipality does not have a dog or a cat bylaw who else is going to bring them in? If you feel there should be a bylaw that gives your community’s bylaw officer the responsibility of picking up stray cats and dogs please contact them and let them know how you feel.
4. I do not have any animals, why should I help fund an animal shelter? If there was no animal shelter there would be no place to house stray dogs and cats and get them off the streets and out of your yard. We also educate the community about responsible pet ownership, bite prevention and how to humanely live with companion animals. This benefits society as a whole!
5. Why should I Spay or Neuter my pet? Spaying and neutering pets saves lives! If you are not going to spay or neuter your pet then you need to be willing and able to care for any offspring they produce and any offspring their offspring produces and on and on! Spaying and neutering early also helps head off some behavioural issues and can eliminate some forms of cancer. Spaying and Neutering can help your pet live a healthier more content life.
As a society it is our responsibility to care for those that cannot care for themselves. Until our vision of a loving, responsible home for every animal is realized we will continue to do so, with your support!
Shelly Zimmerman
Executive Director
Lloydminster & District SPCA
