Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a 2-star rated charity. It is not financially transparent as its financial statements are not available online. It has a below average results reporting grade and its overhead spending is outside of Ci’s reasonable range. The charity has $8.0m in reserve funds, which can cover a year and a half of program costs.

Founded in 1877, Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Nova Scotia SPCA) fights for animal welfare across the province. The charity follows the open-admission and no-kill principles. It works to rebuild animals’ trust, ensure their health and safety and place them into new homes. Nova Scotia SPCA has six shelters, three of which have hospitals and two of which have thrift stores. It runs four programs: Shelter Operations, Veterinary Services and Medication, Investigations and the College of Animal Welfare. In F2022, the charity served 15,477 animals throughout Nova Scotia.

Shelter Operations – 48% of program spending

The charity reports taking in around 400 animals a month across its 6 shelter locations in F2022. Nova Scotia SPCA runs a palliative care program, that allows senior pets that have had a challenging life to spend their final years in a caring home. The charity’s transport program brings animals to new locations to avoid overcrowding in shelters.

Veterinary Services and Medication – 27% of program spending 

Nova Scotia SPCA runs three animal hospitals in Cape Breton, Dartmouth, and Yarmouth. The charity performed 6,774 surgeries in F2022 for animals in need. It also administered 4,137 vaccines. Its Trap-Neuter-Return program has brought in over 100 strays, which are released within 12 to 48 hours of surgery.

Investigations – 17% of program spending

Nova Scotia SPCA reports that its team led 1,160 animal cruelty investigations in F2022. Of these, 356 were in the Halifax Regional Municipality, 273 were in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and 118 were in Kings.

College of Animal Welfare – 8% of program spending

The charity runs a Veterinary Assistant educational program. The program provides business administration and customer service training, with a focus on working in a veterinary team. In F2023, the charity plans to start its Veterinary Technology Program, which will provide students with skills to assist veterinarians with the treatment of animals.