April 14, 2012
2011 Annual Report Inside
Contact Us
Report from the Chair P.1
Nova Scotia SPCA
New Website & AWC P.2
Mailing Address
ED Status & Treasurer’s Report P.3
PO Box 38073 STN Burnside Dartmouth, NS B3B 1X2
Investigations & Animal Care P.4
Street Address 11 Akerley Blvd, Suite 200A Dartmouth, SN B3B 1V7
Reflections on 2011 Society Accomplishments
Email: animals@spcans.ca
Report from the Chair of the Provincial Board of Directors, Andrea Carew
Phone: 1-888-703-7722 Fax: (902) 835-7885 Website: www.spcans.ca
Amazing Awards! International Summit on Urban Animal Strategies Wellness (2010) Education (2010) Leadership (2010) Communication (2011) Iams Local Heroes Canadian Contest Sheltering (2010) Chamber of Commerce Top Newsmaker (2011)
In 2010, the Society adopted a new strategic plan, with a vision for a no-kill province. Implementation of the plan has been accomplished through a commitment to excellence and a strict policy framework that governs our operations. In just two years, the Society has standardized policies and procedures and adopted industry best practices; offered and participated in comprehensive professional development; authored and adopted science and evidence-based educational materials; built essential collaborative relationships with critical stakeholders; improved responsiveness and capacity; and achieved higher live release rates (65% in 2009 to 89% in 2011). In 2011, the Nova Scotia SPCA’s Provincial Board of Directors spent several months engaged in a dialogue about governance reform, with a specific aim to improve professionalism, engagement and compliance, and ultimately make stronger more meaningful progress against outlined strategic imperatives. As a result, the Society has emerged as a healthy, more strongly aligned organization. We have achieved a greater focus and facility to address our mission and mandate. Our work has been recognized on the national and international stage in the last two years, which points directly to the meaning-
ful and impactful change within the organization. We have won industry awards in Wellness (2010), Education (2010), Leadership (2010), Sheltering (2011), Communication (2011) and we were named top news maker by the Chamber of Commerce in spring of 2011. I would like to take this opportunity as Chair of this incredible organization to thank my board colleagues from across this wonderful province for their dedication and time. I would like to thank our talented Executive Director for her tireless efforts. To the staff and volunteers—thank you for your compassion to help animals in need. I value the collaboration and leadership in animal welfare that has been achieved by the Society.
The Nova Scotia SPCA’s Exciting New Programs
Our Mission The mission of the Nova Scotia SPCA is to prevent abuse, neglect and cruelty to animals, and provide for province-wide leadership on matters that promote and improve the welfare of all animals through animal protection; care and rehabilitation; humane education; advocacy and engagement and collaboration with stakeholders.
In 2011, the Society introduced a number of new and exciting programs, including a new website and conference event!
The Society’s New Website www.spcans.ca
Our Vision
In 2011, the Society launched a new website. The web has become one of the SPCA’s primary interfaces with the public for promotion, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, adoptions, reporting cruelty, humane education and advocacy. It is also an essential mechanism to strengthen operational transparency.
The vision of the Nova Scotia SPCA is that Nova Scotia be a no-kill province and a safe place for all animals with zero tolerance for animal cruelty.
The project was sponsored to ensure development costs remained modest and the result is beyond expectation! Branding has been aligned and all branches now come under the same umbrella site. The Society is easier to find with a more professional appearance. Services have been enhanced with a more versatile platform, which has improved engagement with donors, adopters, volunteers and the public.
About the Nova Scotia SPCA The Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty (Nova Scotia SPCA): Protecting animals from cruelty since 1877, the Nova Scotia SPCA is a registered charity, comprised of a network of Branches, which rely primarily on volunteers and donations to fund animal protection; care and rehabilitation; advocacy; and humane education. The Act to Protect Animals and Aid Animals in Distress mandates the Society to enforce animal cruelty laws, making the Nova Scotia SPCA unique among animal welfare organizations in the province. To learn more visit www.spcans.ca. Registered charitable #: 134 704 741 R0001
Animal Wellness Conference The Society’s New Signature Event for the Atlantic Region
In the spring of 2011, the Society hosted the first annual Animal Wellness conference. Attended by hundreds of delegates from across the Atlantic Region with representation from animal welfare, the veterinary community, animal lovers and professionals, government and industry, this premier event was an important forum for engagement and collaboration within the industry. As a central focus of our mission and mandate, the theme of the two-day event was education and the role of responsible pet ownership and humane care.
Save the date for 2012! June 22 & 23 www.spcans.ca
Topics included companion animal health, wildlife, shelter medicine, emergency medicine, feline trap, neuter and return, animal cruelty and the law, nutrition and pet health, compassion fatigue and more! The Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre, the Atlantic Veterinary College, the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were just some of the participating collaborators.
Board of Directors Executive Andrea Carew, Chair Charl du Plooy, Treasurer
Executive Director Status Report Report from Executive Director, Kristin Williams
As the leading animal welfare organization for Nova Scotia, the SPCA is in a truly unique position to help the animals of this province. Quality of service, high standards, transparency, progressive programs and advocacy and education are all critical components of being the provincial voice for animal welfare. In 2011, the Society continued its outreach to government and stakeholders to present initiatives to improve animal welfare. We are working collaboratively with the UNSM (Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities) and the AMA (Association of Municipal Administrators) on education programs and bylaw development. We have successfully contributed to the formation of several new bylaws across the province related to enhancing pet and community safety and responsible pet ownership. We successfully advocated for changes to the Animal Protection Act, which were recently adopted by the province. This has resulted in improved functioning of the legislation and greater flexibility for courts to assign penalties. We extended invitations and accepted opportunities to speak with the PC and Liberal Caucus and several municipal units. To address the overpopulation crisis, we have established a committee with the NSVMA (Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association) and veterinarians to advance strategies that will reduce barriers to spay/ neuter. This past fall, the Society helped form and is participating in a national task force on cat overpopulation that will advance not only provincial but national strategies to improve the legislated status, health, safety and social value of cats within our communities.
2011 Financials at a Glance The Society has made significant strides by increasing revenues through both conventional and unconventional means, and reducing expenses despite increased case load and intake need. The Society decreased expenses in 2011, with animal care expenses reduced by 9% and investigation costs reduced by 16%. Revenues were increased by 10% in 2011 with donations topping $614,000. As evident from the financial results, the Society has drastically cut general and administrative costs; substantially or wholly eliminated expenses related to rent, food; and have been successful at capping veterinary expenses despite the significant increase in intake.
In a review of expenses relative to the Department of Agriculture (DOA), who carry out farm animal investigations for the province and other provincial SPCAs, it was learned that the Nova Scotia SPCA is 93% more efficient than government, and 63% more efficient than the next most efficient SPCA polled. The cost per investigation for DOA is $1,557, where the SPCA’s cost per investigation is $123. Simply put, there is no one is doing this difficult work more efficiently and effectively in this country than the Nova Scotia SPCA. Visit www.spcans.ca to view audited financials.
Directors at Large William Colson Pierre Filiatreault Dr. Cassandra Hanrahan Jim Kochanoff Pat Lee Kylene Mellor Sarah Oliver Valerie Seager Appointed Representatives Dr. Leighann Hartnett, DOA Dr. Barb Hildebrand, NSVMA Barry McCarthy, DNR Branch Representatives Betty O’Neill (Antigonish) Lori MacMullin (Cape Breton) Yvonne Higgins (Colchester) Tammy Acker (Hants) Belle Darris (Kings) Gail Melanson (LaBaie) Doreen Gillespie (Lunenburg) Joyce Jardine (Pictou) Martin Hilliard (Queens) Jason Curtis (Yarmouth)
Senior Staff Executive Director Kristin Williams kwilliams@spcans.ca Director of Animal Care Sandra Flemming sflemming@spcans.ca Chief Provincial Inspector Neil Fraser nfraser@spcans.ca Director, Fund Development & Marketing (currently vacant) majorgifts@spcans.ca
Overview of Cruelty Investigations and Animal Care To view the full reports and statistics, please visit our website at www.spcans.ca
Investigation Highlights and Trends
2011 Statistics 89% live release rate
8,005 animals saved 22% increase in animal cruelty cases 1,608 animal cruelty investigations
18,000 calls concerning the welfare of animals 68,000 km travelled
Animal Care Highlights and Trends
1,608 cases were investigated, 4,777 animals were directly affected and over 18,000 calls were received concerning the welfare of animals 22% increase in caseload over 2010 (1,265) 40% of complaints were determined to be unfounded, 35% were reasonable concerns and 13% were justified or exactly what the complainant described The number one trend is neglect, followed by abandonment and animals being tied out without food, water or shelter The most challenging trend to address remains hoarding There were 10 active court cases in 2011 and a near perfect conviction rate, with the majority of offenders pleading guilty on their first appearance Each investigator had a case load of 537 files
The year-end live release rate was 89% overall for the province (excluding Cape Breton) Most branches increased their intake and either improved or maintained their live release rate Overall intake increased by 1% Capacity remains as much a measure of physical space as animal flow and each branch accomplishes an astonishing level of animal care relative to the human resources available. The majority of animal care support is volunteer For 2011, the Society started to track refusals and though the data is not complete, more than 2,000 animals were not able to be accommodated by the Society because of a lack of space Cape Breton’s statistics could not be confirmed, but estimates reveal a probable intake of 1,547, with 565 adoptions, 169 transfers, 813 euthanized, and a 47% live release rate Total intake was 4,244 (excluding Cape Breton)
Cruelty Investigations
Animal Care
Report from Chief Provincial Inspector, Neil Fraser
Report from Director of Animal Care, Sandra Flemming
In 2011, investigations were strengthened by a number of initiatives, including the implementation of a new investigative data base which has enabled increased reporting, tracking and analysis of complaint statistics with a view to increase efficiency and target responsiveness. The data base permits for identification of perennial offenders and complainants and the tracking of the validity of complaints along with specific trends, such as hoarding and abandonment. All prohibitions are also now on CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) and we are the only province to achieve this. As a result, offenders with active prohibitions are now actively flagged by all police services. Training for the inspectorate continued in 2011 and included: Characteristics of Armed Persons, Critical Incident Stress Management for First Responders, Interviewing Techniques, Introduction to Disclosure, Recognition of Emotionally Disturbed Persons, Occupational Health and Safety, Search/Seizure and Warrantless Authorities, Forensic Evidence Collection, Regulatory Enforcement Training, Photography Training, Handling Aggressive Dogs and Reptile Handling. Training opportunities will continue in 2012 as the Society remains committed to increasing standards, core competencies and performance.
In 2011, the Nova Scotia SPCA increased its focus on improved standards of care for all animals in our care. The Society adopted the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters. As a part of this new policy, all of our shelters were comprehensively audited. Each shelter was evaluated for performance in the following operational areas: management and record keeping, facility design and environment, population management, sanitation, medical health and physical well-being, behavioural health and mental well-being, housing, animal handling, euthanasia procedures, spaying and neutering protocols, animal transportation considerations and public health. In 2012, an added component of this comprehensive audit will include specific application of no-kill strategies, such as outreach spay and neuter, transfer programs, fostering (including palliative care), volunteer programs and adoption promotion and programming. Thanks to a strong commitment to no-kill, all of our branches continue to improve live release rates and our life saving programs continue to expand. In 2011 we introduced off-site adoption programs with Pet Valu and Pets Unlimited, which has not only increased the Society’s capacity, but also squeezed out mill operators in the province, as the Society has become the exclusive provider of adoptable animals to these retailers.