Hamilton/Burlington SPCA — Local services in Hamilton

Zero Stars. I went in to adopt Winnie, a year and a half old Akita cross female. These are medium-large dogs who are hunters and historically guarded Japanese royalty.

The description was clear that she was dominant and should be the sole pet in a home, where she is walked regularly and her owner will take the time for discipline training, particularly for socializing with other animals occasionally or incidentally.

I owned a dominant female lab cross larger than Winnie and had done much of this. I shared my experience and concerns about getting training and was assured they had a good program where she'd be socialized with several other dogs during the sessions. I would have paid and taken her home right then (the only option is to pay and leave with the animal) but I worked and was on my dinner-hour lunch break. I wanted the appropriate amount of time and the only hours available when I didn't work were on the Friday. I'd be taking a risk she was adopted before then but I understood that and waited.

Thursday after much reading I asked more questions about Winnie and the adoption process via Facebook messenger. I stated that I had read up on Akitas, their nature and was comfortable taking the time and effort necessary to properly train that dog. A few more questions about training were answered and the conversation was good.

Friday I set out to pick up Winnie and give her a permanent home and a whole lot of love. I planned my day around giving her attention and introducing her to my apartment and local parks. I bought a leash, bowls, food, etc ready for taking her home (assuming she was still available of course). I showed up earlier than the staff who would arrive at noon. Being slightly early I went over to PetSmart to pick up an appropriate sized home crate, as the one a family member brought over was too small. Unsure on Winnie's size and weight I called to get information. This is when things went wrong.

The adoption rep comes on the line and says, "yeah, we had talked and your apartment isn't a good fit. What if there's another dog on the elevator?" Why is this a sudden issue? I'm shocked! For some reason five floors of stairs (three and a half actually to the rear exit near my apartments) to the back door is a problem. So is an elevator, which I don't use even myself. Other dogs being around is a problem, but less than two days earlier I could adopt her and be obligated to take her home "because that's the policy" and this wouldn't be a story. That same night I was being sold training and socialization classes WITH OTHER DOGS offered at the SPCA! I was even coached about how to stop and interact with other owners any other person will have to when taking Winnie for a walk.

An afterthought with no call or mention during two days of social media interaction to let me know there's a concern. I'm in marketing and communication and this is the worst failure I've seen. Being in the Auto Industry, I'm specifically regulated to be obligated to disclose concerns and it's an offence to sell someone a service that is apparently wholly inappropriate.

I'm not impressed and this is a very sour taste in my mouth for the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA. Judging by other reviews by adopters and staff, it doesn't seem I'm all that alone. For now, Winnie is though. Best of...

The HBSPCA does more amazing work than I could ever detail in one sitting. I personally have adopted from this organization seven times. Each pet that I have adopted has been considered a difficult to adopt animal for reasons such as aggression, litter box issues, advanced age, feral status and health problems. The HBSPCA first needs to be commended for even accepting these animals in to their care and allowing them a chance to thrive. The HBSPCA did not give up on my bonded cats with litter issues even after several months residing at the shelter and multiple failed adoptive families. The staff at the adoption centre has always been 100% transparent and honest when it comes to any potential behaviour or health issues that my adoptees have had and always include detailed analysis of their behaviours and vet work from their time at the shelter. The staff is always able to provide information, tips and personal experiences that will help you in dealing with your transition with your new pet. The adoption staff has always been available to me to ask any questions about my pets far after the adoption paperwork is signed and my animals have left the building.

Beyond my own personal experiences the HBPSCA offers so many fabulous community programs such as low cost spay and nueters, vaccine clinics, obedience classes support and supplies for colony care givers, trap-neuter-return programs for street cats and even affordable creamation services and berievment counselling.

It’s disheartening and unfortunate to see that there are some bad reviews for the HBSPCA that seem to actually be in relation to situations involving Hamilton Animal Control, which is easily confused as they share a building. The organization however is entirely separate from the City of Hamilton.

I can assure anyone that if you are looking to adopt, use a service, or deal with the very unfortunate situation of surrendering your beloved pet due to circumstances beyond your control, you and your animals will be in the best of hands at the HBSPCA. Most of the staff here leave work for the day only to go home and look after foster animals in their care as well as their own handful of pets. There is no group of people that is more passionate about making sure that animals receive the best care, lots of love and attention, and ultimately the best suitable family to spend...

My sweet old cat passed on new year's Day. Of course everything except the emergency vet was closed, which wanted to charge me 900+ to assess that she was in fact dead ( as she lay stiffer than a brick and colder than ice in the artic on a winters day) and send her for a communal cremation which would mean that I would not be able to get her ashes or a paw print back. Not exactly a great option. The SPCA however was open on the 2nd and the staff were beyond caring and understanding as they explained my options and the cost of end of life care for my wee girl. For around 300 and change they helped me get her a private cremation, a cedar box for her remains and a customized paw print to remember her by. (Nothing like a $600 price drop for waiting a day.) I was a mess when I arrived. Tears streaming down my face, cat wrapped in a towel in a cooler, wracked with grief I haven't experienced outside the loss of my dearest friend years past. The woman who greeted me at the doors was so kind, caring and understanding. She lead me to a room so I could have the time I needed to say my final goodbyes and fill out the paperwork for cremation. She explained that it would take 10/14 days for the ashes to return and that they would be in touch as soon as they arrived. When I hadn't heard from them by the 14 day mark they made sure to contact me and explain the delay and were in touch shortly after that for pickup. I had my kids with me at pick up and yet again they let us use the rainbow room so my kids could take a moment and process everything. Being 7 and 9 they've not yet experienced death and didn't know a life without my cat in it. While the clinic was busy with cats being picked up post surgeries, not once did the staff make us feel rushed or a burden with our grief in any way. They were absolutely amazing. I know some people will say 'its just an animal, get over it.' but if you know, you know. They made the hardest loss in my wee families life so much easier to bare and for that I will be forever...