Tompkins County SPCA

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The Tompkins County SPCA was incorporated in February 1902 in an effort to prosecute individual cases of cruelty. In 1904, the organization acquired sheltering facilities and took over as pound master for some of the municipalities within the county. For much of its history, the SPCA has employed humane officers to investigate individual cases of cruelty, as well as providing impound, sheltering and adoption of unwanted dogs, cats, and other animals.

In 1999, the SPCA Board of Directors resolved to become a "no kill" shelter, while maintaining its animal control contracts with local municipalities. Currently, the SPCA has contracts for animal control with all townships, the City of Ithaca, the local Health Department, and the County for stray dog control, stray cat control, suspected rabid animal quarantine, cruelty enforcement, and the enforcement of local and state statutes regarding dogs.

After reducing the death rate over 50% in a single year, the SPCA finished 2001 saving 100% of healthy dogs and cats for the first time in its 100 year history, and an important first step toward realizing its No Kill vision. In 2002, the SPCA further saved 100% of healthy and treatable dogs and cats--the first county in the nation to do so--and has maintained that standard ever since. Animal People, a prominent national journal on animal issues, ranked Tompkins County the safest community for companion animals in the United States.
In spring of 2004, the SPCA opened the Dorothy and Roy Park Pet Adoption Center, a sheltering facility that provides dogs and cats with comfortable, healthy, home-like settings. The Adoption Center also has a surgery suite, dog walking trails, as well as training and play spaces. Registered as the nation's first "green" animal shelter (U.S. Green Building Council) for its environmentally minded, sustainable design, the facility is "good for people, good for animals, and good for the planet."

The Tompkins County SPCA is run by an Executive Director, paid staff, and over 165 volunteers. It is governed by a Board of Directors.

Information provided by the owner