official policies

OFFI
CI
AL
MONTREALSPCA
POLI
CI
ES
OFFICIAL MONTREAL SPCA POLICIES
STERILIZATION OF COMPANION ANIMALS (INCLUDING PEDIATRIC SPAY/NEUTER) ......... 2
TRAP-NEUTER-RELEASE-MAINTAIN (TNRM) PROGRAMS FOR FERAL CATS ....................... 2
SALE OF ANIMALS ............................................................................................................... 2
PERMANENT CONFINEMENT OF COMPANION ANIMALS .................................................. 2
GUARD DOGS ...................................................................................................................... 3
ELECTIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURES...................................................................................... 3
DANGEROUS DOGS/BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION ............................................................ 3
TRAINING AND BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION ...................................................................... 3
COMPANION ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION AND EUTHANASIA ........................................... 4
EUTHANASIA METHODS...................................................................................................... 4
HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES ................................................................................................ 5
HORSE SLAUGHTER ............................................................................................................. 5
FARM ANIMAL WELFARE .................................................................................................... 5
SLAUGHTER ......................................................................................................................... 6
ANIMALS IN ENTERTAINMENT AND CAPTIVITY .................................................................. 6
FUR-BEARING ANIMALS – TRAPPED AND RANCHED .......................................................... 7
HUNTING ............................................................................................................................. 7
NUISANCE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.................................................................................. 7
ENDANGERED SPECIES ........................................................................................................ 7
ANIMAL TESTING ................................................................................................................ 8
DISSECTION AND ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION IN EDUCATION ......................................... 8
REFUSAL TO DISSECT OR EXPERIMENT ............................................................................... 8
1
STERILIZATION OF COMPANION ANIMALS (INCLUDING PEDIATRIC SPAY/NEUTER)
The Montreal SPCA believes that sterilization is an important aspect of responsible
companion animal care both because it helps to combat companion animal
overpopulation, and because of the health and behavioural benefits to the animal.
All dogs, cats, and rabbits adopted from animal shelters, animal control facilities, or
rescues should be sterilized prior to going into their new homes.
The Montreal SPCA supports pediatric (early age) sterilization for dogs and cats, in all
contexts where they are being re-homed, as a means of adressing the overpopulation of
companion animals.
TRAP-NEUTER-RELEASE-MAINTAIN (TNRM) PROGRAMS FOR FERAL CATS
The Montreal SPCA opposes the use of feeding bans and trap-and-remove/trap-and-kill
methods as means of addressing the feline overpopulation problem. Instead, we
endorse Trap-Neuter-Release-Maintain (TNRM) programs, coupled with progressive
municipal by-laws, as the most humane, effective, and economically sound method to
reduce cat overpopulation. In TNRM programs, adult feral cats are trapped, sterilized,
vaccinated, and then released back into their colony, where they are fed, monitored,
and cared for by members of the community.
SALE OF ANIMALS
The Montreal SPCA is opposed to the sale of animals in pet stores, online and via
newspaper ads. This does not include the responsible re-homing of animals through
adoption, provided that there is a screening process for adopters.
PERMANENT CONFINEMENT OF COMPANION ANIMALS
The Montreal SPCA is opposed to the long-term confinement of companion animals,
whether by tethering or confinement in a cage or pen. Permanent confinement is
detrimental to animals’ physical and psychological well-being. Permanent tethering of
dogs also creates human safety issues, as dogs tethered for long periods of time are
deprived of their ability to flee from perceived threats, and thus are forced to respond
with a fight response leading to attacks against people, often children.
2
GUARD DOGS
The Montreal SPCA is opposed to the training or use of dogs for guard duty, including
use in commercial establishments. Protection dogs having received specialized training
and who work in a team with a trained handler, such as police dogs, are not considered
guard dogs for the purposes of the present policy.
ELECTIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURES
The Montreal SPCA is opposed to surgical procedures that are done for cosmetic
purposes or to impair or modify the natural behavior of an animal. Any surgical
modification of an animal must be done with the primary purpose of alleviating
suffering, or for reasons of injury or health, and must be performed by a licensed
veterinarian.
The Montreal SPCA opposes, in particular, the following procedures when done for nonmedical purposes:
- Tail docking (caudectomy)
- Ear cropping (otectomy)
- Devocalization or “debarking” (vocal cordectomy)
- Declawing (onychectomy)
Sterilization performed by a licensed veterinarian is not considered an elective surgical
procedure for the purposes of the present policy.
DANGEROUS DOGS AND BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION
The Montreal SPCA is opposed to dangerous dog legislation targeting particular dog
breeds or dogs with specific physical characteristics, and instead supports non-breed
specific dangerous dog legislation that focuses on dogs’ behavior as individuals, as well
as on responsible dog ownership.
TRAINING AND BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION
The Montreal SPCA opposes the use of physical corrections or punishment as well as
psychological intimidation in animal training, and instead supports the use of force-free,
positive reinforcement-based methods for training and treating behaviour problems in
animals.
3
COMPANION ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION AND EUTHANASIA
The Montreal SPCA believes that euthanasia is not a solution to the companion animal
overpopulation problem. The decision to euthanize an animal comes with great
responsibility and should constitute a last resort to spare an animal physical or
psychological suffering. Shelters are designed to accommodate animals for short periods
of time and long-term housing of animals in cages where they do not have an
appropriate quality of life is not a humane alternative to euthanasia. We believe that
the solution to companion animal overpopulation includes public education, legislation,
and spay/neuter programs.
EUTHANASIA METHODS
The Montreal SPCA believes that when an animal is euthanized, only the most humane
methods of euthanasia available must be used. Minimizing the animal’s distress,
including fear, anxiety, and apprehension, must be of paramount concern during the
euthanasia procedure. The most humane method of euthanasia for socialized animals is
injection of sodium pentobarbital, which Quebec law requires to be performed by a
licensed veterinarian or by an animal health technician acting as prescribed by a
veterinarian.
Euthanasia by carbon monoxide is an unacceptable method of euthanasia in shelters or
animal control facilities that have the means to legally obtain and administer sodium
pentobarbital. However, it is important to note that some shelters are not able to resort
to euthanasia via injection because they do not have access to veterinary services due
to financial or other constraints, and therefore the use of carbon monoxide for
euthanasia is the only option. Consequently, the Montreal SPCA supports the banning of
carbon monoxide gas chambers only provided that the government commits itself to
assist animal shelters and animal control facilities in securing the resources necessary to
humanely euthanize animals via injection of sodium pentobarbital. Namely, we endorse
the implementation direct licensing regulations allowing trained employees at shelters
and animal control facilities to purchase, possess, and use the necessary controlled
substances for the purpose of tranquilizing, sedating, and euthanizing animals.
Finally, the Montreal SPCA does not support the replacement of carbon monoxide gas
chambers with the injection of T-61™, which is difficult to administer properly and, when
improperly administered, can cause animals suffocation and intense pain before they
lose consciousness.
4
HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES
The Montreal SPCA is opposed to the use of horse-drawn carriages in urban
environments.
HORSE SLAUGHTER
The Montreal SPCA is opposed to the slaughter of horses. Due to their sensitive nature,
physiology and flight response, there is no humane way to slaughter horses for food.
We believe that horse overpopulation and the breeding of horses needs to be addressed
by the government in order to deal with the underlying issue of unwanted horses. We
believe that unwanted horses should be re-homed, sent to sanctuary or humanely
euthanized by a veterinarian. Under no circumstances is slaughter an appropriate
retirement or end of life plan for a horse.
FARM ANIMAL WELFARE
The Montreal SPCA believes that at every step of their lives – from birth to death – farm
animals must be treated with respect and compassion, and must be protected from
both physical and psychological suffering. In addition, farm animals must be provided
with the five freedoms:
- Freedom from hunger or thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury, or disease
- Freedom to express natural behaviors
- Freedom from fear and distress
The Montreal SPCA believes that modern-day industrial farming practices do not
provide an acceptable level of welfare to farm animals. These practices include:
- Genetic manipulation and/or breeding of animals so as to accentuate certain
traits which compromise the animals’ physical well-being
- Raising animals at high stocking densities
- Intensive confinement of animals
- Husbandry systems that do not allow animals to express natural behaviours
- Systematic mutilation of animals without anesthesia and/or pain control
- Long duration transport in non-temperature controlled vehicles without food
water or rest periods
In particular, we are opposed to the following practices:
- Confinement of egg-laying hens in battery cages
5
-
Confinement of sows in gestation and/or farrowing crates
Individual confinement of veal calves
Continuous tethering of dairy cows
Continuous tethering of veal calves
Force-feeding of waterfowl for the production of foie gras
Tail docking, tooth clipping, de-horning, de-beaking, or castration of animals
without anesthesia and/or pain control
We believe that farm animal welfare can be improved through humane farming,
transport and slaughter methods and, most importantly, through reduced animal
product consumption. The Montreal SPCA also endorses the mandatory labeling of
production methods on animal products as a means of enabling consumers to make
more animal-friendly purchasing decision.
SLAUGHTER
The Montreal SPCA believes that methods used to kill animals must be humane,
regardless of the species involved or the context. A humane method is a method that
either kills the animal instantly or renders the animal fully unconscious and insensitive
to pain on the first attempt, and maintains the animal in this state until death ensues.
Humane killing also requires that the facilities, equipment, handling, and restraint
methods used be designed so as to keep animals’ anxiety and fear to a minimum. The
Montreal SPCA believes these principles should apply to all types of slaughter, whether
religious or not.
ANIMALS IN ENTERTAINMENT AND WILDLIFE IN CAPTIVITY
The Montreal SPCA is opposed to the use of animals in entertainment in settings which
inherently compromise the welfare of the animals including zoos, aquariums, marine
parks, circuses, rodeos, dog racing, dog fighting and bullfights.
The Montreal SPCA also opposes the use of wild or exotic animals in entertainment and
recreation, including in advertisements, film and television. When domestic animals are
used in entertainment or recreation, the use is only acceptable if:
- All animal training is done using force-free methods that do not include any form
of physical correction or punishment and that heavily rely on positive
reinforcement
- The animal is kept and cared for in a manner that respects the five freedoms (see
our policy on “Farm animal welfare”)
- There is minimal risk of physical injury or psychological harm
6
-
The animal is not bred or kept solely for the purpose of being used for
entertainment
There is a clear and ethical retirement plan for any animal used in recreation or
entertainment that does not include slaughter, euthanasia or abandonment.
The Montreal SPCA opposes the keeping or breeding of wild or exotic animals in
captivity. Wildlife rehabilitation centers and animal sanctuaries whose objective is to
rehabilitate animals and reintroduce them into the wild when possible, or to provide a
safe haven for animals who cannot be reintroduced into the wild, are not targeted by
the present policy.
TRAPPING AND RANCHING OF FUR-BEARING ANIMALS
The Montreal SPCA is opposed to the killing of animals for their fur, whether they are
trapped in the wild or raised in captivity.
HUNTING
The Montreal SPCA is opposed to the hunting of animals for trophy or sport, regardless
of whether any of the meat is consumed. Hunting for subsistence purposes must be
carried out in a humane manner, using techniques that cause instant death. The
Montreal SPCA opposes bow hunting as well as hunting using dogs or other animals.
NUISANCE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
The Montreal SPCA is opposed to inhumane wildlife management practices, including
trapping, killing, poisoning, and relocating animals. Instead, we support the use of nonlethal preventative alternatives, such as exclusion techniques and the use of nonharmful deterrents.
ENDANGERED SPECIES
The Montreal SPCA believes that the conservation of biodiversity is an important and
legitimate concern, and that humans have a responsibility to reduce and, if possible,
eliminate the negative impacts of our activities on other species. However, efforts made
to preserve species biodiversity should also take into account the welfare of individual
animals, regardless of whether they belong to an endangered species.
7
ANIMAL TESTING
The Montreal SPCA is opposed to the use of animals for the testing of cosmetics,
household products, foods and beverages, and tobacco products.
DISSECTION AND ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION IN EDUCATION
The Montreal SPCA is opposed to the dissection of animals in education and to any
program involving the use of animals in education.
The Montreal SPCA endorses the development and use of non-animal alternatives in
education and science.
REFUSAL TO DISSECT OR EXPERIMENT
The Montreal SPCA supports students’ right to refuse to perform or witness any
dissection or experiment conducted on an animal during the course of their education.
The Montreal SPCA encourages science departments of colleges and universities to offer
students non-animal alternatives. Such policies and practices should be incorporated in
the by-laws of educational institutions.
8