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Colchester S.P.C.A.

Visit our new site at http://www.colchesterspca.ca

2010 Calendar Photo Contest

Our 3rd annual Calendar Photo Contest is now underway.
Good quality pet photos are needed (excluding people).
There is a $5 fee to enter, and entries are due by April 4, 2009.
Drop your entries off at the shelter, 408 Industrial Ave., Truro.
(11 am - 3 pm, Tuesday to Saturday)
Or mail them to the SPCA at P.O. Box 914, Truro, NS, B2N 5G7.
You must include your name, full mailing address, and name of pet.
Please include your Halloween, Christmas or other
holiday-themed photos!
There will be on-line voting to select the winners.
Voting information will be announce at a later date.
Photos may be picked up at the shelter following
printing of the calendar.
All proceeds from entry fees and sale of calendars
will go toward running the shelter.
Winners will receive a free calendar, 8 X 10 enlargement,
and "bragging rights" for the year.

ANNUAL DOG JOG - Thank-you everyone who participated in
our 2008 annual dog jog, and to everyone who gave a donation to one
of the walkers or donated prizes.
(Major prizes donated by Susan "Animal Art" Sweet
and Inglis Jewellers).
$9416 was raised this year - our best total ever!

MEOW! Look at me enjoying my new stainless steel
cage, thanks to several generous donors!

We received this poem, written by Darrell Hunt:

There is a special group who work hard every day,
Committed to their jobs we call SPCA.
Animals depend on them when cruel acts are done,
Defenseless pets are targeted sometimes just for fun.

These poor souls need our love, they can't speak for themselves.
As more and more animals are left up on the shelves.
Some people volunteer just because they care.
Others open pocket books, money is what they share.

If most pets were fixed we wouldn't always see
Exploded populations - Some newborns wouldn't be.
They wouldn't see the stray cats, a menace would be gone.
They could concentrate on other things gone wrong.

All animals deserve a place they can call their home,
A warm and cozy loving place where they're not alone.
They're not meant to be outside in months of constant cold,
All they want is companionship, whether young or old.

The SPCA has a heart. Their mission is well defined,
Make sure all animals will be treated and not one left behind.
Each one is very special, which they handle with such care,
So go into the SPCA and you'll find a friend there.

Thanks Darrell!

The number of unwanted animals exceeds the capacity of our shelter and we ask all pet owners
to help by having their pets spayed or neutered! Animals at our shelter are only euthanized for health or temperament reasons, such as biting.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Our Shelter is finally open! Animals may be viewed for adoption at 408 Industrial Avenue, Truro, NS. The hours in which we are open to the public are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday. We are closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays. For animal adoption enquiries, animal cruelty complaints, reports of animals in distress, lost pets, or other enquiries, please call the SPCA phone line: 893-7968 If someone is not available to take your call, please leave a clear, specific message. IF IT IS AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL POLICE

The Colchester Chapter of the SPCA is a small group of volunteers, founded in 1986. We are not funded by government. All money is acquired through fundraising activities, donations and adoption fees. Funds are used for veterinary bills, animal care expenses and the shelter expenses - heat, electricity, water, garbage removal, etc. As a registered charity, we are able to issue official tax receipts for donations. New members are always welcome. We meet on the fourth Monday of the month, 7:30 p.m., at the Superstore Community Room.

Upcoming meetings: (2009)
April 27, May 25, June 22

You may also reach us at the following address: Colchester Chapter S.P.C.A. P.O. Box 914 Truro, N.S. B2N 5G7

What the SPCA Chapters Do

* Rescue abandoned or distressed animals. * Provide quick, humane disposal in cases where it is an act of mercy. * Investigate cases of cruelty or neglect, primarily involving household pets, under the direction of the Provincial Investigator. (Cases involving livestock and wildlife are referred to the Provincial Investigator.) * Find homes for unwanted, healthy animals. * Promote humane education.

What the SPCA Does Not Do

* Does not remove dead animals. * Does not take action in cases of annoyance by neighbours' animals except where cruelty or neglect is involved. Such cases are a matter for legal action, and the Society cannot intervene. * Does not put its volunteers at risk by allowing them to climb trees or hydro poles. * Does not supply animals for scientific or medical research. *Although some SPCA groups have an animal control contract with their municipal government, the Colchester SPCA does not - we therefore do not perform dog or cat control.

Reporting Animal Abuse

If you see any incidents of animal cruelty or neglect, please notify us at (902) 893-7968. Unfortunately, you will be directed to our answering machine, so if the animal is in immediate danger, notify your local police. Our local agents operate under the direction of the Nova Scotia SPCA Provincial Investigators. They investigate cases of cruelty or neglect reported by telephone or letter, but legally cannot act on third-party or anonymous information.

Steps of an Investigation

1. Complaint received and situation assessed - neighbourhood dispute, misunderstanding, or actual cruelty or neglect. 2. Check with local veterinarian to see if animal is receiving treatment. 3. On-site investigation. If cruelty or neglect is suspected, the primary objective is to re-educate the owner in the proper care of the animal, informing him/her that a follow-up will be done. 4. Follow-up. If no visible change has occurred, the animal is confiscated and examined by a veterinarian. 5. Action is then taken, based on the veterinarian's diagnosis. If no problem exists, the animal is returned to the owner. 6. If a problem exists, the animal is confiscated and prosecution may follow.

Pros and Cons of Prosecution

The first priority is the welfare of the animal. If court action is taken, the animal is confiscated as evidence and may be held in a facility for up to a year, depending on when the court case can be heard. It is often of greater benefit to the animal to be placed in a caring household than to be subjected to further stress while legal action is pending.