WHO WE ARE
A compassionate and caring community where the safety and well-being of animals is valued, protected, and respected.
MISSION
Advancing the well-being of companion animals in our region through the operation of our shelter, community education and engagement, and offering programs and services for the betterment of the animals and the community.
Our vision
Our overall goal is to engage and encourage our society to help build communities.
Where all animals who depend on humans for their well-being can experience freedom from hunger and thirst, pain and injury, distress and discomfort; to help homeless animals in our community and strive for societal change, so that we may all live in a Compassionate World for All Animals. The NWT SPCA cares for animals according to the Five Freedoms, a philosophy that ensures an animal’s needs are covered. Proudly following open-admission and no-kill principles, the NWT SPCA is a registered charity that helps companion animals in need. Every year, hundreds of pets are helped through our animal rescue, progressive programs, and rehoming opportunities. Our staff and volunteers work one-on-one with them to rebuild their trust, fully vet them so they are safe and healthy, and give them as much love as possible until they find a permanent family.
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Our vision
A compassionate North where all animals are valued, respected, and treated humanely.
The NWT SPCA cares for animals according to the Five Freedoms, a philosophy that ensures an animal’s needs are covered. Proudly following open-admission and no-kill principles, the NWT SPCA is a registered charity that helps companion animals in need. Every year, hundreds of pets are helped through our animal rescue, progressive programs, and rehoming opportunities. Our staff and volunteers work one-on-one with them to rebuild their trust, fully vet them so they are safe and healthy, and give them as much love as possible until they find a permanent family.
FIVE FREEDOMS
Embracing the Five Freedoms supports the health and welfare of the animals in our care and provides adopters with the best possible insight into their personalities. That ultimately leads to more animals successfully placed in loving homes.
FREEDOM FROM HUNGER
Freedom from hunger and thirst by ready access to fresh water and diet to maintain health and vigor. This must be specific to the animal. For example, puppies, adult dogs, pregnant cats, and senior cats all need different types of food provided on different schedules.
FREEDOM FROM DISCOMFORT
Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area. This means you should provide soft bedding and an area with appropriate temperature, noise levels, and access to natural light. If an animal is outside, it must have shelter from the elements as well as appropriate food and water bowls that will not freeze or tip over.
FREEDOM FROM PAIN
Freedom from pain, injury, or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment. This includes vaccinating animals, monitoring animals, physical health, treating any injuries and providing appropriate medications.
FREEDOM TO EXPRESS
NORMAL BEHAVIOUR
Freedom to express normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities, and company of the animal's own kind. Animals need to be able to interact with — or avoid — others of their own kind as desired. They must be able to stretch every part of their body (from nose to tail), and run, jump, and play. This can be particularly challenging when animals are housed in individual kennels.
FREEDOM FROM
FEAR & DISTRESS
Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering. The mental health of an animal is just as important as its physical health — as psychological stress can quickly transition into physical illness. These conditions can be achieved by preventing overcrowding and providing sufficient enrichment and safe hiding spaces
ACCOMPLISHMENTS & HISTORY
Established as a non-profit organization in 1988
the NWT SPCA, as a volunteer Board, spent most of its energy and funds in the first 20 years working with the Great Slave Animal hospital and their pound animals. We primarily helped with medical bills and adoption advertisement. We also arranged the transport of dogs to Southern dog rescues. In 2010, the Board applied for and won a $300,000 grant through the AVIVA Community Foundation of Canada. This started the ball rolling with major fund-raising efforts to build our current animal shelter facility. In October 2012, the shelter opened its doors in Yellowknife. We started to house our own animals and be responsible for our own adoptions and programs. Our success has been the result of hard work, incredible community support and a shared passion for helping animals in need. Since that time, we have improved and completed the facility so we can accommodate more animals and offer our programs. Through fostering and transporting, adopting within and outside of the Territory, we have rescued and re-homed 1000’s animals. We do not receive any government funding from the Federal or Territorial Government. 100% of the money raised is through events, public donations and small grants that we apply for. We are here to help all the NWT communities and many communities in Nunavut when we can.
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS & HISTORY
Established as a non-profit organization in 1988
the NWT SPCA, as a volunteer Board, spent most of its energy and funds in the first 20 years working with the Great Slave Animal hospital and their pound animals. We primarily helped with medical bills and adoption advertisement. We also arranged the transport of dogs to Southern dog rescues. In 2010, the Board applied for and won a $300,000 grant through the AVIVA Community Foundation of Canada. This started the ball rolling with major fund-raising efforts to build our current animal shelter facility. In October 2012, the shelter opened its doors in Yellowknife. We started to house our own animals and be responsible for our own adoptions and programs. Our success has been the result of hard work, incredible community support and a shared passion for helping animals in need. Since that time, we have improved and completed the facility so we can accommodate more animals and offer our programs. Through fostering and transporting, adopting within and outside of the Territory, we have rescued and re-homed 1000’s animals. We do not receive any government funding from the Federal or Territorial Government. 100% of the money raised is through events, public donations and small grants that we apply for. We are here to help all the NWT communities and many communities in Nunavut when we can.