Is
the Ontario SPCA funded or operated by the provincial government?
No, the Ontario SPCA is a registered charitiable organization
(Registration #88969 1044 RR0002) which relies heavily on
public donations to carry out our work. Tax receipts are available
for donations over $10.00.
Who
do I call if I see an injured, abused or neglected animal?
The OSPCA - Kent County Branch provides 24 hour emergency
service for abused or neglected animals throughout the Municipality
of Chatham - Kent. If you see an injured animal you should
immediately contact the animal control officer for your area.
If you do not know the number, the OSPCA can provide it for
you. The OSPCA provides 24 hour emergency service for all
injured animals within the City of Chatham.
How
many animals are sheltered each year?
Approximately 4000 animals annually. These animals include
stray and homeless dogs and cats as well as wildlife, exotics,
pocket pets, birds, ect.
Do
I have to pay to surrender my animal?
Yes, a set fee is required for owned animals being surrendered
to the OSPCA. The fee varies on the size and age of the animal.
The surrender fee helps to offset our costs to get the animal
vaccinated, dewormed, treated with a flea prevention program
and the daily care and room and board for the pet. In rare
cases, if you are unable to pay the entire fee at the time
of surrender, arrangements can be made to leave a partial
payment and set up a regular payment schedule for the balance
owing. In individual extreme cases, payment may be waived,
however this MUST be set up through the Shelter management
in advance. Please call us (354-1713) in advance to discuss
these special situations before arriving at the Animal Shelter.
As the Animal Shelter operates in a deficit situation every
year, we ask that owners assume the ultimate financial responsibility
for their pets.
Unlike
other Shelters, we do not charge a set fee for people turning
over stray pets or wildlife to the OSPCA Kent Branch. However,
since we receive no government money to care for these animals,
we ask that you assist us with a donation to help with the
daily care of these animals.
Unfortunately,
we cannot guarantee that we will be able to find a home for
any animal surrendered to the OSPCA. As such, we suggest that
you try to place your pet privately first. Consider placing
an inexpensive ad in a local paper, asking local vet hospitals
and pet supply stores to put up your poster to find your pet
a new home. We strongly advise against listing the pet as
“free”. We advise that you ask questions of potential
adopters of your pet, and that you feel comfortable placing
your pet in its new home. It is worth it for you to
spend the time to find a good home for the remaining lifetime
of your pet.
Will
an animal I surrender to the shelter be euthanized (Put to
sleep)?
Whenever possible every effort is made to reunite a lost pet
with it's owner or find a new home for a homeless pet but
his cannot be guaranteed in every situation. Sometimes an
animal is too ill, aged or aggressive to be placed in a new
home. Other times young, healthy animals do not settle well
into living at the shelter. Sometimes we have no kennels free
to continue housing certain animals( Animals are never turned
away from the shelter for fear they may be placed in danger
by our doing so). In these instances, a humane compassionate
euthanasia is the only recourse for these animals.
What
do I do if I find a stray animal?
The shelter provides pickup for any stray dog within the City
of Chatham and south Kent. Currently there is no by-law regulating
the keeping of cats. Injured or ill cats may be brought to
the shelter from any area within Chatham-Kent. There is no
set fee for surrendering a stray cat, however, a donation
to help offset costs would be greatly appreciated.
Each geographical region within Chatham-Kent has an animal
control officer employed by the Municiplality. So, if you
live outside the City of Chatham, stray animals from your
area should be handled by your individual animal control officer.
To find out who handles your area contact the Municipality
of Chatham - Kent at 360-1998 or the OSPCA shelter at 354-1713.
