About Us

Following a citizen’s meeting on Oct. 23, 1991 the Antigonish Branch SPCA became a reality. The Branch was approved by the Nova Scotia SPCA and became a non-profit registered charity. At the time, it served the assigned coverage area of Antigonish Town and County, Guysborough County, and all areas surrounding to Auld’s Cove.

The original objective of the Branch was to raise money for a shelter. As the years passed and this objective proved to be unattainable, the Branch Board of Directors then decided to focus on (a) a foster care program and (b) a spay/neuter assistance program to curb overpopulation and promote pet retention.

Antigonish County and surrounding regions is a traditional place, and has an ever-increasing population of senior citizens. There are no industries in Antigonish and local businesses, St. Martha’s Hospital and St. Francis Xaiver University are the main employers. Antigonish County is rural, with farming, fishing and seasonal employment providing most of the jobs.

In more recent years this Branch was also assigned and agreed to serve the additional coverage areas of Port Hawkesbury, Port Hastings, and Point Tupper, making its coverage area the largest of any Branch in the province.

The foster care program has greatly expanded and the number of volunteer, especially among university students has grown as well. The spay/neuter assistance program has helped many families in the area, and the education component is expanding. Fundraising activities are frequent and successful and the Branch is on solid ground financially. In fact, despite many difficult times and through the growing pains of its early years, this Branch has endured, overcome all obstacles and 2011 was a celebration of twenty years of operation.