The Nova Scotia SPCA comes out on top on the national and international stage

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nova Scotia (October 25, 2011) –– The Nova Scotia SPCA is in the industry spotlight as a result of two prestigious awards in sheltering and communications programs.

The first award was through the IAMS Home for the Holidays' Local Heroes Canadian Contest that was open to shelters and rescue organizations across the country. The Provincial Animal Shelter in Dartmouth and the Society's palliative care foster program were named the winner in this competition that seeks success stories in regards to life-saving programs. The palliative care foster program is a program that places elderly animals and those with compromised health in loving foster homes. In many instances, these animals would face euthanasia in a shelter environment, but the commitment of staff and volunteers generated an alternative with this creative program.

The second award was through the International Summit on Urban Animal Strategies, held just this past week in Quebec. The Summit brings together representatives from all areas of the animal sector: breeders, veterinarians, retailers, welfare and enforcement to collaborate on programs and initiatives that will advance urban animal strategies through research, thought leadership, industry commitment and real-time intelligence. The Nova Scotia SPCA won for their annual Art Contest – a youth education program that was launched to encourage youth from primary to Grade 12 to express their feelings about animal welfare through art. This year, the theme was the Year of the Cat – promoting the importance of increasing the value of owned, homeless and feral cats in an effort to address overpopulation. This award is particularly poignant as it is Cruelty Awareness Month and part of the Society's mandate is to prevent cruelty, which is accomplished through humane education programs like this one.

"The Nova Scotia SPCA is honoured to have received such prestigious awards and to have our lifesaving work recognized on the national and international stage," said Executive Director Kristin Williams. Williams added "when I joined the organization just two years ago, I knew that so much was possible. Realizing our dreams and hopes for animals is why we do the work we do. My gratitude to our wonderful staff, volunteers, donors and sponsors who make these accomplishments possible."

In the last two years, the Nova Scotia SPCA has received recognition and honours for their education, wellness, media, and communications programs. The Society are winners of the 2010 ISUAS awards for Wellness and Education; the 2010 Chamber of Commerce Top Newsmaker; the IAMS Local Heroes Contest for shelter strategies; and the 2011 ISUAS award for Communication.

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