Swift Current SPCA is proud to call themselves a no-kill shelter, but what does that really mean? This means one simple thing: every single healthy and adoptable animal is able to stay with us until they are adopted, we do not do “convenience euthanasias” just to make space.  However if a shelter is a “no-kill” shelter, then they must unfortunately turn animals away sometimes. The animals typically turned away from “no-kill” rescues are animals that are too sick or injured to be treated or too dangerous to safely be rehabilitated and placed in a home.The downside to this choice is that it means there are times we have limited capacity to take in new pets; we are a small shelter and as much as we would like to be able to help every animal, sometimes we can’t  Does this mean there are sometimes difficult decisions to be made? Yes.But thanks to the generosity of our incredible community of supporters, these decisions must be made only in the most extreme of cases.  If you have more questions about our policies here at the shelter please do not hesitate to contact us.

Melissa Topham RVT

Operations Manager

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Spring is the busiest time of the year for our shelter staff and each day, the Swift Current SPCA receives frantic calls from pet owners who have lost their beloved companion. While our team works very hard to ensure every lost pet turned into our shelter makes their way home safely, there are many steps that pet owners can take to ensure their pet returns to their family.

DON’T PANIC!

This first advice is, by far, the hardest. As scary as it is to discover your pet is missing, the most important thing you can do is remain calm. Replace your panic with a new mantra:

STOP. THINK. PLAN.

Stop and take a few deep breaths. Examine the situation and think about what may have happened (when was the last time you saw your pet, how long ago was that, where is your pet inclined to go etc.). Once you have some ideas, start making a plan. If your pet has been gone for a very short time, it may make sense to go looking and calling for them. If they’ve been missing for a while, here are a number of steps you can take to bring Fido or Fluffy home safe and sound:

1. Start making lost reports. When you call, provide as much information as you can about where and when your pet was lost and provide a good description of your pet.
2.  Check with local vet clinics as well as your local shelters.
3. Put your pet things outside to entice your pet home. Place their litter-box and a bed they use regularly outside.
4. Arrange a search party and go look for your pet
5. Create lost posters with your pets picture and your contact info on it.
6. Above all don’t lose hope!

Melissa Topham RVT

Shelter Operations Manager

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The Swift Current SPCA’s role regarding stray animals is limited legally during the short impound period that the animal is housed here. We do not have the legal authority to conduct animal welfare investigations; that is the role of the Sask SPCA/APSS. In situations where the SPCA feels that further action is required by another agency, based on the facts available to us, then appropriate action will be taken. However, the general population will not be aware of this because we will never publicize that type of action via social media.

We are required to:
– house and feed the animals in a safe place for a set period of impoundment time while the owner is sought
– advertise the presence of the animals to try to locate the owners
– determine proof of ownership when owners come forward
– collect the appropriate pound and licensing fees set by the City of Swift Current from the owner (and turning these fees over to the City)
– advise and caution the owners on any care concerns we feel might be evident

After the impound period is up and if no owners come forward, the animal becomes the property and responsibility of the Swift Current SPCA. At this point we would provide all the further care services (grooming, vaccinations, etc) we do for other pets in our care.

The Swift Current SPCA has several kennels dedicated to housing dogs and three cages for cats brought in by City animal control officers.  Pound fees for the first 72 hours of the dog’s stay goes to the City. If any necessary medical treatments are undertaken with the pets while in our custody, the reclaiming owner will also be responsible for these costs. Wild, vicious, aggressive or otherwise un-adoptable animals may be brought to the Shelter by City animal control officers to await reclaiming by their owners, however the Shelter is unable to accept these animals for future adoption.

Members of the general public may bring in pets they believe to be strays or homeless animals. If you have an animal you may want to bring in, the first step should be a call to the shelter to discuss the situation. The shelter staff will discuss current capacity with you and our ability to accept the animal, as well as any concerns around catching and transporting the animal and other related considerations. Those wishing to bring in animals are responsible for catching and safely transporting the animals. The Swift Current SPCA’s mandate does not include trapping cats or catching stray dogs. (The latter service is done by the City). When you call with a potential stray or homeless animal, the staff will ask what you know about the pet’s health and behaviour. The shelter reserves the right to refuse entry to pets deemed feral (untamed) and animals with behavioral issues which might impact staff safety or the suitability of the animal for future adoption. We strongly advise that you discuss your stray situation with the shelter before catching the animal as we may be at capacity.
The shelter generally charges a surrender fee per pet to help offset some of the costs associated with the care of the animal; this may be waived where the pet is a stray, however we may ask for a donation to support the pet depending on the circumstances. If it is later determined that an owner has falsely surrendered their own pets as strays, the owner will be held liable for all associated costs.

If you have further questions regarding the SPCA’s role in impoundment  and animal cruelty cases, please feel free to give us a call.

Melissa Topham RVT

Operations Manager

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Spring has sprung!! The birds are chirping,  the grass is turning green, animals are awaking from their long winters slumber, and ticks are hungry!! Ticks are common parasites that can be found anywhere, like that big hike you went on in the treed area or that little time you spent sunning yourself in your back yard. Each year, thousands of dogs become infected with serious diseases transmitted by a number of different ticks. These diseases include but aren’t limited to erlichiosis, Lyme disease, and anaplasmosis.

Diseases caused by ticks are generally known as vector-borne diseases. The risks they pose to your dog can be minimized with preventative measures such as tick control ,purchased from your veterinarian as well as regular physical exams of your pet by a licensed veterinarian. This is especially important, as symptoms of vector-borne disease are often vague and difficult to recognize.

If you have questions regarding tick prevention one of our veterinary technicians here at the shelter would be happy to help you and guide you in the proper direction as to what is suitable for your pet!

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HO! HO! HO…..LD UP!

There are many dangers for our pets during the holidays, here are some helpful tips to try and prevent any emergencies this holiday season!

1. Place your Christmas tree in a corner, blocked off from your pet’s wanting eyes. If this doesn’t keep your dog or cat from attempting to jump onto the tree, you can place aluminum foil, a plastic drink bottle filled with knick knacks, or anything else that creates noise on the tree’s bottom limbs to warn you of an impending tree disaster.

2. Tinsel can add a nice sparkling touch to the tree, but make sure you hang it up out of your pet’s reach. Ingesting the tinsel can potentially block their intestines, which is generally only remedied through surgical means.

3. For those buying a live Christmas tree this year, keep the area free and clear of pine needles. While they may not seem dangerous, the needles can puncture your pet’s intestines if ingested.

4. If using plants to decorate,  please remember holly, lilies, Christmas roses, amaryllis, mistletoe and poinsettias are toxic to dogs and cats and must be kept out of harms way. 

5. Christmas tree water can become stagnant, becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and other unhealthy organisms. It may also contain fertilizers and other preservatives designed to keep your tree fresher longer. This water may pose a disease threat to a thirsty cat or dog who samples the water.

6. It is important to keep chocolate, and foods containing chocolate, well out of reach of dogs and cats, as it is very poisonous. Other hazards for your pet are onions , grapes  and raisins to name a few. The severity of grape and raisin poisoning is not dependent on the amount eaten, so even one or two grapes or raisins can be highly dangerous.

All in all here’s to a safe and healthy holiday season!

The Swift Current SPCA wants to extend warm holiday wishes to all of you! That being said we are going to be having some specific holiday hours. December 24th- December 27th we will be closed, as well as January 1st and 2nd. We apologize for any inconveniences!

Melissa Topham RVT

Operations Manager

Swift Current SPCA

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This is our new Animal Health Technician Kyla Schutzman! She will bring her education and experience to bear on the health assurance process at the shelter. This includes leading efforts to assess incoming pets and provide the required care (in-house or in conjunction with local vets, depending on the need) to ensure that healthy pets are adopted. Kyla just moved to Swift Current from Regina where she was born and raised. She is a 2015 Sask Polytechnic RVT graduate and worked at Victoria Vet Clinic from 2015 until her move here. Kyla lives with her boyfriend of 6 years, has a 14 year old diabetic cat named KC, and says she loves all animals

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