What does FSPCA stand for?
Fredericton Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Are you a no-kill shelter?
We do not consider our organization to be a no-kill shelter as we do euthanize animals that are so severely sick/injured or have insurmountable behaviour issues that their quality of life is greatly diminished. We do not euthanize due to lack of space or length of stay. Overall our euthanasia rate ranges from 3-5 percent while the national average is 37-40 percent.
Does the staff really know what they are doing?
The staff are professional, well-trained and caring individuals fully dedicated to providing proper care and attention to all our animals. There is ongoing training provided and access to various vet clinics for daily advice. As such, our staff has a diversity of knowledge in animal welfare especially as they work with our animals every day so they are very well-versed on the medical conditions, behaviour and impending needs in their forever homes. The Board of Directors is committed to the continual education of our staff so they can be the best they can be. You can completely trust their judgment and opinions.
Why are you closed so early? Why aren’t you open in the evening?
Although we are open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, our animal-care staff is here each day at 7 a.m. to clean, feed, attend to the animals and prepare to open. At the end of a minimum eight-hour day for staff, each animal is tended to again and then rests. As a non-profit charity, we are open as many hours as possible with the resources that we have.
What is the Fredericton SPCA’s policy on declawing cats?
While declawing is not illegal it is not recommended by the veterinarian community. As such the FSPCA does not recommend this practice. We will always discuss with potential adopters alternatives for their consideration.
What do I do if I find a stray animal? Does it cost to drop them off to the FSPCA?
You should call Fredericton Animal Control (458-0906) for them to pick the animal up if you are within city limits.
If you are looking to personally drop off a stray animal, we ask that you call local shelters first to check for available space (Fredericton 459-1555; Oromocto 446-4107). If we are full, we have a waiting list and will call you as soon as a kennel becomes available. There is no charge to bring in a stray although we will ask for your name, address and phone number for the rare occasion when further information on the animal’s situation when found is required.
What do I do if I find a stray animal when the FSPCA is closed?
Again, you should first call Fredericton Animal Control (458-0906) for them to pick the animal up if you are within city limits. Otherwise, find a secure place for the animal in your home, garage, shed (depending on the weather) or with a friend or neighbour and call us the next day.
Can I surrender my pet to the FSPCA and is there an associated cost?
If you wish to surrender your pet, our ability to take it in depends on the reasons for surrender and available space as our priority is to make room for stray animals. However, if we can help you, there is a surrender fee applicable to help offset the cost associated with taking in an owned animal ($160 for dogs; $210 for puppies; $160 for kittens and $95 for adult cats).
Can I come back to visit once I have surrendered my animal?
It is very stressful for an animal that has been surrendered to be left for a second time by their owner. It is in the best interest of the animal that we do not allow visits after surrender. We do suggest that if your pet has a favourite blanket or toy that you leave it with us to help ease the transition.
If my surrendered animal does not get adopted, can I get it back?
No, when an animal is surrendered a legally binding contract is signed stating that the animal has been turned over to us. It is then our responsibility to care for the animal until it finds an appropriate home.
Will my surrendered animal get a loving home?
There is a very thorough application and interview process as well as follow-up which aims to result in the best possible adoption success.
If my animal shows up at the FSPCA, what happens?
First, we scan for a microchip – if there is one found we call you to come pick up your animal. If no chip is found, we check lost & found notices as well as online. If no match is found, we hold the animal for three (3) days before putting it up for adoption after appropriate checks and vet visits.
If my pet has been taken to the FSPCA, what does it cost for me to get it back?
There will be a charge to recover the costs of any in-house treatments or vet care that have been required for the health and safety of the animal as well as a daily kennel fee ($25 for the first day and $20 for subsequent days) for the care, cleaning and feeding of your pet. These fees cover only the costs we have incurred in caring for the animal.
How long do you keep an animal before it is put down?
We keep an animal until it is adopted unless there are unforeseen circumstances such as suffering that is untreatable or behaviour that isn’t responding to modification efforts that make the animal unadoptable.
Can I bring my animals to you for a vaccine?
We do not have a vet on staff and so cannot administer this service to animals other than the ones in our care due to liability issues.
How come your adoption form is so long with so many questions?
Every question is designed to give us an insight into the adopter’s home life & expectations to see if the animal chosen will fit in well.
Why do I have to have an interview?
The interview process is designed to help ensure the animal you want to adopt is the best fit for you and your family. The intent is also to learn as much as possible about what you are looking for in an animal and if this is the right match for you. It is very stressful for both the animal and the adopter if the adoption is unsuccessful and the animal is returned.
Can I try a cat/dog for a couple of weeks to see if it works out?
Change is always difficult for a pet, so a temporary home and possible return is very stressful. For that reason, we do not recommend trial adoptions. Our interview process is an attempt to ensure a successful adoption so there will be no unexpected problems in the new home.
Why was I turned down for an adoption?
A turn-down is NEVER a judgment of you as a potential owner, it is to ensure that you will have a successful adoption experience and find the forever fur-friend that is meant for you. For example, we would not put a cat-aggressive dog in a home with cats. In many cases we will suggest another animal that would be a better match for you and your lifestyle.
Why are the adoption fees so expensive and what does it include?
The adoption fee covers only a portion of the expenses incurred in the care of the animal you are adopting. Each animal has had the basics of spay/neuter, vaccines, flea and worm treatment and microchip, while others have had further medical treatments as necessary. We also are available for follow-up sessions to ensure the transition to your home runs smoothly. These costs add up to an amount far greater than the actual adoption fee.
Spay or neuter $150-300
Distemper vaccination $20-30 x 2
Flea/tick treatment $50-200
Microchip $50
Deworming $20-50
Follow-up advice/support Priceless
“Free” pets usually come with no medical care and purchased pets are often not spayed or neutered and may not have a full set of vaccinations adding to the expense.
Why are there different prices for the animals?
Adoption prices are related to the cost of caring for the animal. Food, vaccines and general care vary for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.
Why is a kitten or puppy cost more than an adult animal?
Younger animals need more and different care than adults – more vaccines and special food for example. Also kittens and puppies attract more attention so the older animals have a lower price to encourage adoption of an adult pet.
What do I have to wait to take my animal home?
If an animal is not yet spayed/neutered, or is still on some medication for a condition we are treating, there would be a wait period before they could be taken home.
What is the policy for adopting an indoor/outdoor cat?
Fredericton city bylaw states that animals cannot be free-roaming. There can also be health and safety issues to consider. The Fredericton SPCA is not against adopting out a cat that is intended to be indoor/outdoor; however, each animal is given a needs assessment that determines to what type of home environment they are best suited. Each cat’s adoption is based on this needs assessment.
Why is the dog area locked? Why can’t I just go visit them?
Today’s best practices suggest lowering stress on animals in facilities such as ours. A constant stream of strangers walking by can make the dogs more reactive at the kennel door and does not give a good first impression. A lot of great dogs are overlooked because of the anxiety produced by an open floor. We try to minimize stress and its effects on a dog (diarrhea, anxiety etc.) by talking to visitors first about our dogs. When a potential adopter has decided on a dog they wish to visit, that animal is taken to a separate room where a more relaxed visit can take place. This gives the visitor a better idea of the dog’s behaviour and doesn’t stress the other dogs.
Why can’t I go in the nursery?
The nursery is a quiet place where pregnant cats or dogs can give birth, new moms can nurse and very young babies can be safe from stress and germs that come from too many visits. Even staff is restricted from general visits to the nursery for the same reasons.
Can my children come in and pet the animals?
If accompanied by an adult, children can come in and visit with the animals although not all our animals are available for a variety of reasons – medical issues, touch sensitivity, behaviour issues, so we ask that you respect staff directions based on their knowledge of the animals.
Why can’t I take out more than one cat at a time?
Limiting numbers can cut down on spreading of germs; also, not all cats get along with each other so for their safety and yours we only allow one cat out at a time. Please respect staff direction based on their knowledge of the animals.
Why is it that only the front desk is open when there is a birthday party or tour underway?
Birthday party attendees have a tour and access to the animal rooms as part of their birthday package. To reduce stress on the animals we refrain from adding public access during these times.
Can my child walk the dogs?
Dog walking is part of our volunteer program and requires training as each dog may have behaviour modification protocols in place that need to be followed which requires a level of maturity and strength to handle. Also for liability issues, our minimum age requirement is 19 years.
Why can’t I just do whatever I want when I visit?
Like any special-care facility, there are strict protocols in place for the safety of the animals and the public. We ask that you respect both the staff and the processes as our policies are in everyone’s best interest.
I know how to walk a dog; why do I need training? Why do I need training for anything?
We have certain training policies and procedures in place to ensure the safety of our volunteers as well as our animals. Each animal may also have different behaviour modification processes that need to be followed on walks. We like all our dog-walkers to understand these policies and protocols so they are comfortable, knowledgeable and have an enjoyable experience walking our fur-babies.
Why can’t my toddler volunteer with me?
Our minimum age limit for volunteering or being in the volunteer environment is 19 years.
Why is there an age limit to volunteer?
Because some of our animals may have behaviour and medical issues, we require a certain level of maturity and strength to handle any situation that might arise.
Why can’t I just drop in to the adoption centre to volunteer when I have free time?
To make the volunteer experience a valuable one for both the volunteer and the FSPCA, we ask for a regular time commitment for in-house volunteering. That way we know when we can depend on you and you know what you will be doing when you are here.