April 21, 2018
POSITION STATEMENT: ACQUISITION OF COMPANION ANIMALS
The Gander & Area SPCA's governing board of directors encourages acquiring companion animals and exotic pets through a responsible means and discourages the selling of pets that are primarily driven by profit. Therefore, we can not condone or support pet stores who sell companion animals and exotic pets or backyard breeders. We do however support adoption from respectable rescue groups, pet stores who foster pets for rescue organizations, reputable registered breeders, and other sources of pets in need of re-homing.
Furthermore, the Gander & Area SPCA is firmly against the breeding, transport, confinement, and sale of companion animals and exotic pets in situations where the welfare of the pet in all probability will be put in jeopardy. Every pet be it dog, cat, bird, reptile, etc. shall be provided with the Five Freedoms.
The Five Freedoms developed in 1965 by The Brambell Committee, has been internationally recognized by animal organizations around the world. It is our belief that every animal should have:
Breeding companion animals and exotic pets where the main intention is to make a profit are often found to endure poor welfare conditions. We are advocates for the adoption of homeless, rescued, abused, neglected or unwanted pets through reputable rescue organizations; if adoption is not an option we encourage acquiring a pet directly from the place they were born. This will not only lessen the stress on the pet, it will also allow you to witness first hand the condition of the parents and their environment, ie: adequate living space, socialization, cleanliness, etc.
The Gander & Area SPCA considers animal welfare both an individual and a community responsibility, therefore we are committed to working with individuals and communities in our region to promote greater responsibility and compassion for all animals and pets. If you are concerned an animal or pet you have seen may be in distress, call the Gander & Area SPCA (709) 651-3002 and your local law enforcement detachment.
Furthermore, the Gander & Area SPCA is firmly against the breeding, transport, confinement, and sale of companion animals and exotic pets in situations where the welfare of the pet in all probability will be put in jeopardy. Every pet be it dog, cat, bird, reptile, etc. shall be provided with the Five Freedoms.
The Five Freedoms developed in 1965 by The Brambell Committee, has been internationally recognized by animal organizations around the world. It is our belief that every animal should have:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst - by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.
- Freedom from discomfort - by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
- Freedom to express (most) normal behaviour - by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind.
- Freedom from fear and distress - by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
Breeding companion animals and exotic pets where the main intention is to make a profit are often found to endure poor welfare conditions. We are advocates for the adoption of homeless, rescued, abused, neglected or unwanted pets through reputable rescue organizations; if adoption is not an option we encourage acquiring a pet directly from the place they were born. This will not only lessen the stress on the pet, it will also allow you to witness first hand the condition of the parents and their environment, ie: adequate living space, socialization, cleanliness, etc.
The Gander & Area SPCA considers animal welfare both an individual and a community responsibility, therefore we are committed to working with individuals and communities in our region to promote greater responsibility and compassion for all animals and pets. If you are concerned an animal or pet you have seen may be in distress, call the Gander & Area SPCA (709) 651-3002 and your local law enforcement detachment.
July 7, 2019
POSITION STATEMENT: TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN
As a result of the increasing popularity of Trap-Neuter-Return programs as a means of controlling feral cat populations in the Central Newfoundland Region, the Gander and Area SPCA's governing Board of Directors considered it necessary to issue their position statement on the practice.
Background:
True Trap-Neuter-Return programs involve trapping feral cats, spaying or neutering them, administering one time veterinary care and returning them to the environment in which they were living. The premise is that by preventing reproduction, over time, the colony numbers will be reduced. This type of program is to be differentiated from a “managed” feral cat colony where additional support and protection are provided in the form of shelter, food and ongoing health care provided by volunteer colony caretakers.
It is important to clarify the difference between a true feral cat and a stray cat. Feral cats are born in the “wild” to wild parents and have at no time been socialized with humans. Adult feral cats, as a general rule, cannot be tamed although kittens that have been removed from their environment while very young can be the exception. True feral cats may become habituated to human presence over time and continual exposure but are not considered suitable for adoption as household pets. Stray cats, in contrast, have been born in captivity, were socialized to humans at one time in their lives, and were domesticated, and so are potentially adoptable.
True Trap-Neuter-Return programs abandon feral cats back into the hazardous environment from which they came to fend for themselves, act as a reservoir for disease and predate small mammal and bird populations. Most suffer premature death from starvation, motor vehicle accidents, hypothermia and infectious disease.
Gander and Area SPCA Policy statement on T-N-R programs:
The Gander and Area SPCA does not support True Trap-Neuter-Return programs. We will continue to assess cats, turned over to the Shelter and held for the 5 day period outlined in the Animal Health and Protection Act, for their suitability for adoption, however, feral cats that have medical or behavioural issues rendering them unsuitable for adoption will be humanely euthanized.
Background:
True Trap-Neuter-Return programs involve trapping feral cats, spaying or neutering them, administering one time veterinary care and returning them to the environment in which they were living. The premise is that by preventing reproduction, over time, the colony numbers will be reduced. This type of program is to be differentiated from a “managed” feral cat colony where additional support and protection are provided in the form of shelter, food and ongoing health care provided by volunteer colony caretakers.
It is important to clarify the difference between a true feral cat and a stray cat. Feral cats are born in the “wild” to wild parents and have at no time been socialized with humans. Adult feral cats, as a general rule, cannot be tamed although kittens that have been removed from their environment while very young can be the exception. True feral cats may become habituated to human presence over time and continual exposure but are not considered suitable for adoption as household pets. Stray cats, in contrast, have been born in captivity, were socialized to humans at one time in their lives, and were domesticated, and so are potentially adoptable.
True Trap-Neuter-Return programs abandon feral cats back into the hazardous environment from which they came to fend for themselves, act as a reservoir for disease and predate small mammal and bird populations. Most suffer premature death from starvation, motor vehicle accidents, hypothermia and infectious disease.
Gander and Area SPCA Policy statement on T-N-R programs:
The Gander and Area SPCA does not support True Trap-Neuter-Return programs. We will continue to assess cats, turned over to the Shelter and held for the 5 day period outlined in the Animal Health and Protection Act, for their suitability for adoption, however, feral cats that have medical or behavioural issues rendering them unsuitable for adoption will be humanely euthanized.
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Our Annual Report for 2016
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| gander_spca_code_of_conduct.pdf |
| gander_spca_by_laws.pdf |
| animal_sale_position_statement_april_2018.pdf |
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