Q: Why does the Ontario SPCA charge a fee to adopt an animal?
We invest a great deal of time, effort, love and money into every animal that is in our care. The adoption fee covers the following services and allows the Ontario SPCA Provincial Education & Animal Centre - a charitable organization - to recoup a small portion of the costs incurred providing care and/or rehabilitation to the animals. A "free" animal can cost three times as much as an animal adopted from the Ontario SPCA once you've paid for equivalent services.

Cat Adoption Fee: $165 (tax included)
Includes: Veterinary examination, vaccinations (excluding rabies), spaying/neutering, deworming, microchipping, Revolution flea control treatment, coupon from Nutram for free bag of cat food, informative brochures on caring for your pet, and six weeks of pet insurance from Petplan, Canada's oldest and largest pet health insurance company.

Dog Adoption Fee: $330 (tax included)
Includes: Veterinary examination, vaccinations (excluding rabies), spaying/neutering, deworming, microchipping, Revolution flea control treatment, coupon from Nutram for free bag of cat food, informative brochures on caring for your pet, and six weeks of pet insurance from Petplan, Canada's oldest and largest pet health insurance company.

Q. Why is there sometimes sickness in a shelter?
There are many viral diseases which can be brought into a shelter by dogs and cats. Animals that wander the streets face a high risk of contracting a disease and can bring viruses and bacteria into the shelter. A sheltered animal is under stress. This weakens its immune system making it more susceptible to infection. Owners sometimes knowingly leave unhealthy animals at the Ontario SPCA. Shelter staff follow strict guidelines for animal intake and cleaning procedures to reduce the risk of a virus infecting the shelter population, but because of the close proximity of animals within a shelter environment, and the unknown history of many animals, sickness can develop at times.

Q: Is the Ontario SPCA a government agency?
No. This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about the Ontario SPCA. We are called the Ontario SPCA because we operate in the province of Ontario. The Ontario SPCA is a registered charity comprised of over 50 Communities, relying on individual and corporate donations to fund animal protection, care and rehabilitation; advocacy and humane education. This financial support comes in a variety of ways, and all are appreciated. Thank you!

Q: Why is it good to adopt from the Ontario SPCA?
Click here to download poster.

Q: What is the relationship between the Ontario SPCA and its Branch and Affiliate Communities?

The Ontario SPCA's unique relationship with its Branch and Affiliate Communities is critical to its lifesaving work. Branches, formed by the Ontario SPCA, are administered by the Ontario SPCA Provincial Office in Newmarket.

Affiliate Societies, which include Humane Societies and SPCAs, operate more independently from the Ontario SPCA and are administered at the local level by their own individual Board of Directors. By affiliating with the Ontario SPCA they gain animal cruelty investigative powers in their local communities; the benefits of belonging to a province-wide network which brings animal welfare organizations together for the purposes of working together, learning from each other, sharing best practices and helping more animals; and access to many of the programs and services of the provincial organization.

The Investigations Department of the Provincial Office provides training, guidance, leadership, support and oversight to all Agents and Inspectors across the province. Other Ontario SPCA Provincial Office programs and activities which benefit the entire network include: animal care and wildlife education opportunities; administrative and financial support; legal services; public relations, marketing and fundraising assistance; information and resource sharing; and leadership on shelter operations, and community and provincial animal welfare issues.

To maintain an Affiliate status, the organization must ensure that their policies, bylaws and goals are reflective of the Ontario SPCA and pay an annual membership fee.

Q: What is the Ontario SPCA's policy on euthanasia?

The Ontario SPCA takes the issue of euthanasia very seriously. It is only done when there is no other humane option available. Reasons the Ontario SPCA euthanizes include: terminal illness or injury where there is no possibility of recovery, behavioural problems that pose a threat to other animals or humans, stray or feral overpopulation, disease transmission, and old age where the quality of life is impaired by major loss of functions.

Sadly, in some cases animals may be euthanized due to shelter overcrowding. Overcrowding threatens the lives of all the animals in our care due to stress, weakened immune systems and increased risk of disease transmission. This requires us to make difficult decisions about euthanasia based on health, physical, emotional and psychological suffering, and the best interests of the hundreds of animals receiving lifesaving care in a facility.

These numbers can be reduced with the help of the public. We ask that pet owners place identification on their animals in the form of ID tags, licenses or microchips. We also ask that all pets be spayed or neutered. The pet overpopulation crisis can be managed with this one simple procedure. For more information on the benefits of having your pet spayed or neutered, please download our spay/neuter brochure. Also, please contact your local shelter to learn more about adopting an animal, or fostering pets to help provide a temporary home to animals in need.