Lost & Found
Strays in our Care
There are currently no strays held at the shelter.
Microchipping
All pets adopted from the SPCA Swift Current are microchipped, and we also provide microchipping of non-shelter pets by appointment. It’s a simple, minutes-long procedure and could help you find your pet if it becomes lost.
Inserted just under the animal’s skin, the microchip is registered to your contact information. Most shelters and veterinary clinics can scan the chip. We can perform the procedure for non-shelter pets for just $50.
To make a microchipping appointment, please call (306) 773-1806.
Surrenders & Strays
Surrenders
Pet owners surrendering pets that they can no longer keep must call the shelter before bringing in the animal(s) so we can ensure that we have space to take the animal(s) at the time. If the shelter has space at the time, an appointment will be made for drop off. If space is not available, the staff will add the pet to the waitlist and discuss other interim options with you; we will contact you as space becomes available. It is a crime to drop and abandon animals anywhere unattended and the shelter does use video surveillance to monitor its shelter premises.
When you call with a potential surrender, the staff will ask what you know about the pet’s health history and behaviour to best plan for intake. The shelter reserves the right to refuse entry to pets with behavioural issues. Aggressive behavioural issues may impact the safety of our staff and the safety of potential adoptive families.
The shelter generally charges a surrender fee per pet to offset some of the many costs associated with the pet’s care and preparation for adoption.
Strays
We typically charge a surrender fee for each animal to offset some of the costs associated with their care. However, this fee can be waived when the pet is a stray. In this scenario, we may ask for a donation to support the pet. 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.
When a stray animal is brought to the SPCA either by the public or by City Bylaw Officers, it will be scanned for a microchip and safely housed. We’ll post the animal on our website for 72 hours, and if the owner does not come forward, it will become an animal of the SPCA Swift Current and put up for adoption. In cases where the owner may not be able to come right away for their pet, we kindly ask that they get in touch so we can make other arrangements.
Once the owner produces proof of ownership, all fees must be paid in full before the animal can go home, including additional costs such as necessary medical treatment provided by the SPCA.
Pound Process & Fees
Costs, such as necessary medical treatment provided by us, are the responsibility of the reclaiming owner, if found.
If an owner has not come forward after 72 hours, the animal becomes the property of the SPCA Swift Current, after which we provide all the additional service (grooming, vaccinations, etc.) afforded the other pets in our care. Only Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan has the authority to conduct animal welfare investigations.
Surrender Fees
- Individual dogs (spayed/neutered & proof of up-to-date vaccinations): $30
- Individual dogs (spayed/neutered but not up-to-date on vaccinations, or vice versa): $50
- Individual dogs (not spayed/neutered nor up-to-date on vaccinations): $75
- Natural litter of pups (birth-16 wks): $200
- Natural litter of pups (birth-16 wks) with mother: $250
- Individual cats: $50
- Natural litter of kittens (under 6 mo): $125
- Natural litter of kittens (under 6 mo) with mother: $150
Pound Fees for Stray Animals
- Dogs, first offense: $65 plus $25/day per animal
- Dogs, second offense: $100 plus $25/day per animal
- Cats, first offense: $40 plus $25/day per animal
- Cats, second offense: $100 plus $25/day per animal
Kitten Care
How do I care for a litter of kittens without its mother?
Keep the kittens warm. Feed them milk, but not cow milk. Goat milk is a great substitute. Kitten Milk Replacement can be found at vet clinics or pet stores. The kittens must also be stimulated to go to the bathroom.
Shelter Capacity
If we are at capacity, shelter staff will discuss options with you which will depend on your particular situation. These may include adding your name to our waiting list to be contacted, discussions on other ways to care for the pet in the meantime, and in some cases access to a registry of people looking to take farm cats. Our wait time varies from weeks to months, depending on capacity, cleaning, or awaiting other pets’ movement through the quarantine stage. The waitlist may also shrink quickly if others on the list find other placements or change their minds about surrendering their pet, meaning we can’t always predict the length of wait.
Report Abuse
The SPCA Swift Current is unable to undertake investigations of animal abuse; this is not part of our mandate as an organization. Operating across most of the province, Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan is the organization which undertakes welfare complaints for Saskatchewan’s animals.
