Beliefs & Principles
We believe all nature’s creatures deserve our respect and protection. Our primary purpose and main concern is to be a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals…the SPCA .
1. We believe that it is unnecessary to waste a life or cause pain to animals for human entertainment.
2. We believe it is our responsibility to provide adequate food, water, shelter and veterinarian care for the pets in our lives.
3. We believe that the use of animals for medical or commercial experimentation should be strictly discouraged, unless absolutely necessary.
4. We believe that animals for adoption or impound purposes must be confined in a humane manner.
5. We believe that domestic animals must not be permitted to multiple to the extent that may lead to overpopulation and misery.
To guide the Society in the application of these beliefs, the following principles are set forth:
Pet Overpopulation:
The Society is committed to caring for the homeless animals produced by the tragic reality of overpopulation of domestic cats and dogs in our community. Thus, we are compelled to develop programs to reduce overpopulation. SNAP is the Spay and Neuter Assistance Program for low-income homes.
Sheltering Lost and Unwanted Pets:
The Society will maintain a facility for the sole purpose to house unwanted pets and wildlife to the best of our abilities. We will strive to reunite lost pets with their families and find forever homes for the homeless. All adopted dogs and cats will be sterilized and microchipped before adoption from our facility.
Cruelty To Animals:
The Society, working with the Alberta SPCA and City Bylaw, may help to investigate community concerns involving the inhumane treatment of all animals and when necessary help to pursue the prosecution of individuals abusing animals.
Release of Animals from Shelter:
The Society will, under NO circumstance, release animals for the purpose of Laboratory Research. The release of animals will only be to responsible owners, according to the Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw set forth by the City of Medicine Hat and to well-respected Rescue Organizations.
Community Animal Control:
The Society will encourage responsible pet ownership by helping to enforce the City of Medicine Hat’s Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw, the rules and regulations in the Animal Protection Act and by offering discounted microchipping to domestic pets.
Cosmetic Surgical Procedures on Animals:
The Society discourages any procedures that are not beneficial to the animal’s life or may cause unnecessary pain to the pet. This may include: cropping of ears, declawing of cats and some tail-docking.
Adoption and Rescue Program:
The Society will maintain an adoption program to approved applicants and respected Rescue Organizations. Adopted animals will be microchipped and sterilized, before leaving to their forever homes. All rescue animals will be health-checked by a veterinarian, before entering a new program.
Injured and Orphaned Wildlife:
The Society will accept and provide care for all wildlife, until the proper authorities can be reached or the animal can be released back to their native habitat. If necessary, the Society will provide humane euthanasia to end suffering, as per a veterinarian’s advice.
Endangered Species:
The Society will encourage the protection and release of any endangered species to the proper authorities.
