SPCA’s palliative care program provides homes to senior pets
Posted Oct 27, 2022 02:05:00 PM.
The Nova Scotia SPCA's palliative care program is providing caring retirement homes to senior pets around the province.
“They're probably not the easiest animals for us to adopt just based on their ongoing medical condition or needs,” explained the organization's provincial director of animal care Sandra Flemming.
“In the past they would be difficult to find a permanent home for based on those costs, so our palliative care program allows us to put those animals in loving homes, but at no cost to the owner.”
It could be a perfect fit for those who want the companionship of a pet, but don't think they're up for a commitment of a decade or so, or for someone who doesn't feel they can keep up with an energetic puppy.
Flemming said some of the animals have come into their care through cruelty enforcement officers and their medical needs have been neglected.
“So to see them have their last days be filled in a home with lots of love is something we all benefit from,” she told CityNews Halifax.
“In a lot of cases we find once the animal is on a better diet, its medical needs are being met, it's on the right medication or pain management, a lot of these animals kind of almost reverse age to a certain extent and you can see them bounce back,” she added. “We've even had some change the colour of their coat because they were so anemic. I've seen things that will warm your heart.”
The palliative care program is just one of the many services offered by the SPCA.
They also run a social enterprise hospital, a P.U.P. Program (Prevent Unwanted Pregnancies) to fix female dogs and cats, a Paws and Support program to look after pets while owners transition out of domestic violence relationships or secure new housing and a Pet Pantry food and litter bank.
“We've tried to tailor all of our programs to meet the needs of the community because there are a lot,” Flemming said. “With inflation and the cost of living today, families are struggling and they're struggling to look after their pets.”
“We try to put as much information on our website as possible so people know what we're doing, how they can access our services and how to donate so these programs can continue.”
