What is a Humane Society and Why is it Necessary?

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

Letters to Santa - HARLEY

Dear Santa Paws,

Wow, you work fast! That cat who wrote you a letter last week has already been adopted. I am hoping my Santa letter will also bring me such good luck.

So Santa, here's the thing. I've been a great boy this year! As you can see from my picture, I love the little humans. I even know exactly what my breeds are (my DNA was recently tested). You can officially call me a Siberian Husky/Scottish Terrier/Irish Setter/Shih Tzu mix! I am a big, strong boy Santa. I'm ready to replace Rudolph if you need me.

My ideal home is one where I could have lots of TOYS and PLAY FETCH with my human friends. I LOVE FETCH. I also like cuddling, and tummy rubs. Do you think you could keep an eye out for a home like that Santa?

Thanks big guy, and Merry Christmas.
Love Ho Ho Ho Harley.

Letters to Santa - GINA

Dear Santa Paws,

I was just starting my letter to you, and that dog Bonnie starting taunting me! She said you already got hers. Well Santa, I know what she said in her letter wasn't true - there is no way you could like dogs more than cats, right? I'm sure you love all animals the same (or maybe the majestic feline just a little more). Put that Bonnie straight on the naughty list.

Unlike Bonnie, I have been a very nice girl this year Santa! I started out at the SPCA in June, and had my kittens a little while after. I was such a good mom! No one has ever loved their babies more than me. After 8 weeks, my kittens went on to try and get adopted, and I am also waiting patiently for a new home.

In case you didn't know, I get along very well with everyone Santa. I actually live in the cat condo at the SPCA with a number of other cats. But don't worry about the sleeping arrangements Santa, we are all just good friends, and besides, we are all spayed or neutered.

Thanks so much for listening Santa Paws. Keep an eye out for a good home for me while on your travels. And if you could sneak me some tuna treats, that would be great. Love your feline friend, Gina.

Read more about Gina

Letters to Santa - BONNIE

Dear Santa Paws,

It's me, Bonnie. I've been mostly good this year. You know, I do try my best Santa! I've been at the SPCA since July, and I've been as good as gold. Ok, well maybe not gold. But I've definitely been as good as silver! Oh, you heard about my dislike of cats? Well, cats aren't REALLY pets, are they Santa? I mean, they call us dogs "man's best friend" for a reason. You'd never see a cat helping you with your sleigh, but my friends and I would jump right in!

So other then my distaste for cats, I have been really nice, and I should have stayed off the naughty list. I have been a friend to many children who come to the shelter. I do my best never to make a mess in my kennel. And I always greet the staff with a smile.

Just like all shelter pets, I wish for a new home for Christmas. Please keep an eye out for a good one for me. I would like a home where I am part of the family. A nice person to couch cuddle with. Someone to take me for walks and throw toys for me in the back yard. Maybe a kid that loves me like a sister. If you find a family like that Santa, I would be so happy to join them!

Love your Pit Bull friend,
Bonnie.

More information about Bonnie

Adopt Me, Adopt My Shadow for Free

Hey there, welcome to the SPCA blog. I'm Opal, one of the many (fabulous) cats waiting for a home. Let me tell you, after a busy summer season of admitting stray kittens and pregnant moms, it's getting a little full in here. We've all been making the best of it, but between you and me, myself and the rest of the kitty crew would like a permanent home, with a place to stretch our legs, play, and get lots of loving.

Happily, the-powers-that-be here at the shelter have decided to run the Third Annual Adopt Me, Adopt My Shadow for Free Cat Adoption Drive again this year! Here's how it works. You come to the shelter, pick out the cat of your dreams (remember, my name is Opal), and you can also adopt another cat for free! Yay, everybody wins. Your second cat is a "shadow" kitty, ones that find it harder to get adopted because of coloring, like black, grey, and black and white kitties (like Sammy, the handsome black grey to your right). The program also applies to bonded pairs, so if two cats are in the same kennel, ask the staff if they qualify.

Now, I know this sounds like a good deal, and a great amount of fun (I mean, if one cat is good, two is obviously double the pleasure), but there are a few thing to consider. Even though the adoption fee is waived, there will still be medical bills to pay for both cats. If we are not already spayed or neutered this operation must be done at the new owner's cost. Also, vaccines are needed for the kitties - we receive general vaccines at the shelter, but will still need rabies vaccines once adopted. So it is a good idea to price all that out with your vet before the adoption.

Trust me, there are a lot of great cats down here, waiting to move into your house. Its worth stopping by and having a look. Our Adoption Drive will be running from September 15 to October 31, so visit us before Halloween!

Lots of love,
Opal

Pepsi Refresh Project

The Lloydminster & District SPCA has signed up for the Pepsi Refresh Project, which gives grants to individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations with ideas that will have a positive impact on communities. Our shelter is in the running to receive $100,000, which would go towards funding our new SPCA home. This grant works on DAILY VOTES, so we are asking all our members to bookmark the address, and vote for our shelter every day. Voting started on September 1, and runs until October 31. You can actually vote for up to 10 of your favorite ideas every single day.

Go to this address to start voting:

Pepsi Refresh Project - Vote for the SPCA!

Don't forget to bookmark this link and go back DAILY to place your vote.

Need a reason to vote? Check out the shelter pictures below.

Helping Paws Program

We get many people who want to help the shelter, but don't have the room or time to add another furry friend to their family. We have the solution! Virtually adopt a pet!

For just $10.00 per month you can sponsor the animal of your choice. You help provide food, treats, toys, bedding and vet care. You will be recognized on our website as that pet's Helping Paw Partner. If you would like to give us your e-mail and mailing address we will keep you updated on that pet's progress and send you a
picture of your chosen one.

Pictured is Howard, one of the pets you can sponsor. Howard is an older gentleman, whose owners were unable to take him when they moved. If you can't provide this handsome man a retirement home, maybe you would like to be his Helping Paws Partner.

Click here for more information.