History
Nova Scotia has the distinction of being the first place in North America to pass laws for the prevention of cruelty to animals. This was done in the year that Great Britain first enacted such laws - 1822. The acts of Nova Scotia in 1824 made provisions for public whipping to be the punishment for persons convicted of cruelty to animals.
The Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals became an incorporated Society in 1877. In 1880, the Society was vested with the authority to appoint agents that shall have all the power and authority by law conferred upon peace officers and constables to secure compliance with any Act to be enforced for the prevention of cruelty to animals. The law was also amended to authorize the Society to deal with cruelty to children under 16 years of age, as well as animals. The prime function of the SPCA between 1880 and 1900 was the provision of marriage counseling and legal aid for estranged couples and harassed spouses, usually at the instigation of the wife. Also in 1880, the Provincial body was authorized and empowered to organize branch Societies, which are under the control and subject to the direction of the parent Society.
The Nova Scotia Department of Social Services took over the care of children and helpless persons in 1906. The animals' need for protection remained in the caring hands of the Society. Society records show over and over again the great benefits of the Society's protection to Nova Scotia animals. In 1914, the name of the Society was changed by deleting the word "Animals" in its title, and the law was changed to authorize the Society to have all the powers which are vested in the Children's Aid Society under the provisions of the Children's Protection Act; although, in 1906 the Nova Scotia Department of Social Services took over the actual care of helpless persons. As recently as 1932, the Nova Scotia SPCA was still helping to prevent cruelty to children by investigating and reporting many such events.
In 1917 and 1918 following the Halifax Explosion the Society assisted with approximately 1,500 injured and/or orphaned children. With the assistance of two agents and cash from the Massachusetts SPCA, the Nova Scotia SPCA repaired and reconstructed approximately 250 barns.
For 25 years the Society was not only empowered in the prevention of cruelty to animals, but also for the care of Nova Scotia's citizens.. The report for the society year ending December 31, 1932 showed 108 parents warned and 155 children benefiting from these warnings. They also removed 100 helpless persons to shelter. In the same period 1272 horses were inspected resulting in 589 owners and drivers being warned.
On June 2, 1960 after a telegram of concern was sent by the Society to Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in Ottawa, requesting a full investigation into a proposal to remove horses from Sable Island, he advised:
"The horses and their progeny will not be removed from Sable Island but will be left to roam wild and free as has been their custom for centuries."
Late in November, 1961 from the offices of the Prime Minister of Canada came the welcome news that it is now an offense punishable by a fine of $200, two months in jail, or both: "to molest, interfere with, feed or otherwise have anything to do with the horses on Sable Island," without the written permission of the agent responsible for the administration of the island.
The Society owned and operated an animal shelter in the city of Halifax until late 1985. At that time, the Society found it necessary to sell the shelter due to financial constraints. For five years from 1985–1991, the Society found itself providing its services in the Halifax Metro area handicapped by the fact that it could not operate a shelter. The Society also had provincial obligations and is expected to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty throughout the province. It provides these means by enforcing all laws which now exist or may exist in the future for protection of animals, as well as humane education programs.
In 1988, a gentlemen by the name of John A. Kennedy died, leaving a sizable bequest to the Society. Due to the money received from the bequest, the dedication and cooperation of the newly formed Halifax Metro Branch Board, and the Provincial Board and staff, the Society was able to open the doors of its newly constructed Halifax Metro SPCA Animal Shelter in Dartmouth on January 10, 1991. This shelter serves the Halifax Regional Municipality. Things for Nova Scotia's domestic animals have definitely improved with the opening of the shelter.
On March 10, 1992, a devastating fire caused extensive damage to the newly built Halifax Metro SPCA Animal Shelter. Worst of all, four animals perished in the fire. No one was formally charged for the fire, however arson was suspected. On June 26, 1992, the doors of the reconstructed Halifax Metro SPCA Animal Shelter were opened.
The Society is also the parent body to ten very active branches located in various parts of the province. They service the following areas: Antigonish, Cape Breton, Colchester, Hants, Kings, Lunenburg, Pictou, Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth. Four of these branches maintain animal shelters: Colchester Shelter, P. O. Box 914, Truro, Dartmouth; Cape Breton Shelter, 400 East Broadway, Sydney; Pictou County Shelter, Granton Road, New Glasgow; and Yarmouth Shelter, 298 Hardscratch Road, Brooklyn. There is also an SPCA Shelter in Dartmouth which is under the auspices of the Board of Directors and the Chief Provincial Investigator- SPCA Metro Shelter, 5 Scarfe Court, Dartmouth.
Read more about this topic: Nova Scotia Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty
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