Giving Animals a Voice

Montreal, April 4, 2014 – It was on April 5, 1869, that the Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (now better known as the Montreal SPCA) was founded in Montreal by a group of prominent citizens. The Montreal SPCA was the first humane society in Canada.

During the early years, the primary concern of the SPCA was improving the treatment of work horses. Beatings, overloading, starvation, lameness, and harness sores were common cruelties inflicted upon work horses in those days. Within its first year, the SPCA made significant headway in improving conditions for horses throughout Montreal. This was only the beginning, and it was not long before the SPCA focused its attention on other issues such as humane dog control, cock-fighting, and the killing of wild birds.

In 1914, the Society acquired its first shelter at 201 Demontigny St. E. By 1928, the shelter had become overcrowded and the Society moved to new headquarters on St. James St. West (now St. Jacques). The Shelter staff consisted of six inspectors, a driver, a person in charge of euthanasia, and a night watchman and three administrative employees. The SPCA continued to operate out of its St. James St. headquarters until 1953, when the Society found a property on Namur St. (now Jean-Talon) and began to build a new shelter. The new building was completed in 1955 and served until 1985, when it was partially demolished and rebuilt to meet the increased demands for better animal housing and care.

The SPCA has come a long way since its beginnings in 1869. Our Society has grown with the rest of the humane movement – speaking on behalf of animals wherever there is ignorance, cruelty, exploitation, or neglect.

Guided by the humane ethic, it is our mission to:

• protect animals against negligence, abuse, and exploitation;
• represent their interests and ensure their well-being;
• raise public awareness and help develop compassion for all living beings.

The Montreal SPCA receives more than 14,000 abandoned animals each year and relies almost exclusively on donations from the public to carry out its work. We thank all those who support us and allow us to continue our mission in helping animals.

Thank you for helping us make a difference!

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Media contact: Anita Kapuscinska, Media Relations Coordinator, Montreal SPCA, 514-226-3932, or akapuscinska@spcamontreal.com

For more information about the Montreal SPCA, please visit our web site at www.spca.com