FAQ's
General Questions
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What is the mandate of the BVSPCA?
Our Vision: Make A Difference, Change Lives, Adopt. Love.
Our Mission: Provide our community with an Adoption Centre following a no-kill, no-cage philosophy to shelter, care for and re-home stray and abandoned dogs and cats, and promote humane attitudes and responsible pet companionship through educational programs and community leadership.
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When was the Bow Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) built?
The Carla Cumming Sojonky Adoption Centre, which houses the BVSPCA, was built in 2007.
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Where is the BVSPCA located?
Nestled in the heart of the Bow Valley, visitors will find the Carla Cumming Sojonky Adoption Centre conveniently located off Elk Run Boulevard in Canmore, Alberta. We are in the Elk Run Industrial Park just northeast of the town's RCMP headquarters.
Carla Cumming Sojonky Adoption Centre
123 Bow Meadows Crescent
Canmore, AB
T1W 2W8 -
When is the BVSPCA open to the public?
Our public hours are Wednesday to Saturday, from noon to 4:00pm.
During these hours you are welcome to come in and visit with our adoptable cats. Please note that dogs are not available for visitation except by appointment made with the Centre Manager (for serious adopters only). We welcome donations during our public hours, and our Shed Shop is open as well.
We have office hours from Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30am to 4:00pm, during which we are able to answer phone and email inquiries.
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How large is our property?
We have 2.17 acres of provincially leased land which has panoramic mountain views, natural green-space, and easy visitor access. The building is 3500 sq. feet designed with the surrounding community in mind.
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What makes our building different?
We are proud of our Adoption Centre design in that it respects and adheres to the best green and animal friendly practices. Thanks to the volunteer leadership, management and construction by Robert Mitchell Masterhomes, our Centre adopts technologies, products and practices that ensures healthy indoor air quality, greater energy efficiency, reduced overall GHG emissions, reduced water usage, preservation of our natural resources, reduced animal stress, noise, light and chemical pollution, and improved durability and maintenance. We have built a home that respects the health and well-being of dogs/cats, but also people and our environment.
Adoption Questions
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How do I start the process of adopting an animal?
Firstly, please read our "Before You Adopt" page (see the link below). Then, take a look on our website at our currently available dogs and cats. When we receive new animals, they will are posted on our website shortly after, so keep a close eye for new animals being updated all the time (you can also sign up for our Weekly Animal Update Newsletter)!
From there, fill out an adoption application and email to adopt@bowvalleyspca.org. If you are interested in a specific animal, please indicate in the application or in the body of the email. You do not have to have a specific animal in mind to submit an application and meet our animals. Once your application has been received and approved, our adoption manager will contact you to arrange a time for you to visit our animals.
Please note that cats are available to visit during our public hours, but dog visitations are by scheduled appointment only (for serious adopters).
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Do you do same-day adoptoins?
We do not do same-day adoptions.
Once you have chosen to adopt a particular dog or cat, you will need to go home and make sure this is the right decision for your family. If you are adopting a dog, you will need to arrange to bring your dog (if you already have one) in for a dog meeting. Some of our dogs require multiple meet and greets before you can proceed with adoption.
We want to ensure that every animal goes to the right home and that the animal you are interested in is the best fit for you and your lifestyle as well. If you have any questions about the adoption process, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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How much does it cost to adopt a dog or cat?
Our fees are based on species and age.
Dogs
Puppy (under 1 year) - $485
Adult (1 to 7 years) - $385
Senior (over 7 years) - $260Cats
Kitten (under 1 year) - $285
Adult (1 to 10 years) - $210
Senior (over 10 years) - 160
Bonded Pair - 50% discount on second cat -
What is included in the adoption fee?
Our adoption fees provide each and every animal with individualized care while they are staying at the Centre. When you adopt an animal, the fee includes:
- Microchip
- Spay/Neuter, if not already completed
- Complete set of vaccinations to date, including rabies
- Parasite prevention to date
- Starter Kit (food samples, pet history, adoption Centre observations)
- LOVE, FOOD, SHELTER, and CARE from the Bow Valley SPCA for the time leading up to your adoption!
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What brand of food do you recommend for my new dog or cat?
There is no single best answer to this question. Partly it depends on the cat or dog's size and age, and partly it depends on your budget and beliefs.
Older dogs and cats are generally less active and thus need to reduce their calorie intake. Foods for older dogs and cats are specifically designed to meet this requirement.
Puppies and kittens need lots of calories to support their rapid growth, and foods for puppies and kittens meet this requirement.
Some dogs and cats develop allergies or other medical conditions, and there are foods that are specialized and eliminate certain proteins (e.g. beef) for allergies, support kidney function, urinary tract problems and more. It is best to speak to your veterinarian about these diets.
There is also the question of feeding "raw" food versus kibble versus canned food. Good arguments can be made for all three or combinations. We recommend that you talk to your veterinarian about which choice is best for your dog or cat, and your budget.
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How do I choose toys that are safe for my dog or cat?
Play is an important part of a healthy animals balanced life. A toy provides exercise, mental stimulation and can be tools for pets and their humans to communicate and form a special bond.
Choose toys that are safe, being aware of structural integrity (e.g. plastics with sharp edges, feathers that have toxic dye, pet tennis balls (regular tennis balls may break teeth etc.).
Chew Toys:
The correct toy that fills your pet’s need may be the key between appropriate chewing and destruction.
Dogs need to chew, especially puppies, and this should be taken into consideration when choosing toys. Kongs are strong toys that can be filled with a treat, fulfilling your dog’s need to chew and be stimulated. Kongs can keep a dog occupied when they are left alone, helping them avoid the temptation to destroy shoes or furniture.
Lasers:
Lasers that may be used as a toy could lead to frustration in pets. If the animal can never catch the prey (laser light), it will be unable to fulfill the need to hunt. This may lead to escalating frustration and may be redirected on another pet or human. A research study showed that cats do not play for the sake of play and that they get bored with their toys because they have a high prey drive and not a high play drive. They need to be stimulated with a variety of toys that speak to their ability to fulfil natural cat behaviour. (1992 University of Southampton: Cat Sense by John Bradshaw)
Fetch & Tug of War:
Balls should big enough dog will not choke, Frisbees should be made of nylon or fabric since plastic may break off and cut gums or mouth. A lip on the Frisbee makes it easy to pick up when on the ground. Tug-of-War is best to be played with an adult offering the rope toy to the dog. The person needs to be in control of the game, starting and ending the game on cue. This is a good exercise and can be used as part of the “take it, leave it" training.
Maintenance of Toys:
Toys used by a cat with a URI (Urinary Respiratory Infection) should remain with that cat alone. Even after the cat is not showing signs of infection, they will continue to shed the virus for weeks after, therefore the potential to spread the virus is high. All pet’s toys should be washed with non-toxic soap on a regular basis.
Happiness is someone to play with!
Volunteering Questions
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How can someone become a volunteer?
To become a volunteer, you must first complete an online application (see below link). After approval, you must complete our online new volunteer orientation, and provide a satisfactory police criminal record check.
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Can my child volunteer?
Volunteers must be generally 18 years+, although if a volunteer wishes to bring their child onsite for certain tasks such as cat cuddling, grooming etc. this is an option. Events often can accommodate kids. We do not, however, allow children to work with our dogs, due to the unpredictable nature of abandoned and surrendered dogs and limited staffing to assist with supervision.
We have been working on creating a Youth Ambassador program for 16 & 17-year old's who have a special interest in what we do and would like to explore our operation in order to complete their community volunteer hour requirement for high school graduation. If this interests you, please contact volunteers@bowvalleyspca.org
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When are volunteers needed?
This is a big and complicated question! We need volunteers essentially all the time, but roles vary tremendously. Our volunteer coordinator (volunteers@bowvalleyspca.org) can help answer specific questions. That said, our Volunteeer Information system allows active volunteers to access and self-schedule for certain volunteer assignments such as event assistance, fundraising, etc.
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Can I walk dogs at the SPCA?
Due to the varying natures and personalities of our dogs, we require anyone interested in walking our dogs to be active volunteers.
If you are interested in walking our dogs, as part of your volunteer orientation, we will offer a program called Open Paw Training.
Satisfactory completion of both sessions of the Open Paw training (Level 3), plus two additional evaluation walks with senior members of our dog team, are required to start walking our dogs.
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Can I foster a dog or cat?
We foster dogs and cats that are not thriving at the Centre, which often means that we need qualified individuals who are skilled with scared, aggressive and reactive animals that have had a rough start in life, or who have specialized medical needs.
Please note that we do not put highly adoptable animals into foster homes, as it decreases their exposure and unnecessarily increases their length of stay. We are not a foster-based shelter, so animals available for foster are only those that need qualified and committed individuals to work through specific behavioural/medical issues.
Other Questions
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Does the Centre admit wildlife?
The Centre does not admit injured wildlife, if you have found an injured wild animal please contact:
Canmore Veterinary Hospital
502 Bow Valley Trail
Canmore, AB
Ph: (403) 678-4425or
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What do I do if I've lost a pet?
If you have lost a pet, contact us by phone or email and we can take down your information, along with a description of your pet. Next, do the same with the local vet clinics, as well as the Bylaw office in your town (they will be the first responders to any animals found at large within town).
Canmore Veterinary Hospital
502 Bow Valley Trail
Canmore, AB
Ph: (403) 678-4425
Bow River Veterinary Centre
1510 Railway Avenue
Canmore, AB
Ph: (403) 678-9595
Town of Canmore Animal Services (Bylaw)
Ph: (403) 678-4244
Town of Banff Animal Control (Bylaw)
Ph: (403) 762-1218 -
What do I do if I've found a pet?
If you have found a pet within the Town of Canmore or Town of Banff, during business hours, contact:
Town of Canmore Animal Services
Ph: (403) 678-4244or
Town of Banff Animal Control
Ph: (403) 762-1218
If you have found a pet outside business hours, please keep the animal in a safe space in your home or garage until you can get in contact with the Town, or alternately the animal can be dropped off at any 24 hour vet clinic in Calgary. We are not permitted to accept animals at-large without it going through the appropriate channels.
If you have found a dog on the highway near Morley/Stoney Nakoda, please know that the community has owned, free roaming dogs who venture near the highway. These dogs are generally well taken care of, have families that love them, and have homes to go to. They are very clever, and have learned that if they hang out near the highway, passerby's will stop to feed them. We ask that you please do not feed these dogs, as it only encourages them to linger near the highway. If the dog is injured or in distress, please contact the Cochrane Humane Society or Morley RCMP. Otherwise, please leave the dog alone so it can return home.Cochrane Humane Society
Ph: (403)932-2072or
Morley RCMP
Ph: (403)-881-2828 -
What do I do if I've found a pet on the highway?
If you have found a dog on the highway near Morley/Stoney Nakoda, please know that the community has owned, free roaming dogs who venture near the highway. These dogs are generally well taken care of, have families that love them, and have homes to go to. They are very clever, and have learned that if they hang out near the highway, passerby's will stop to feed them. We ask that you please do not feed these dogs, as it only encourages them to linger near the highway. If the dog is injured or in distress, please contact:
Cochrane Humane Society
Ph: (403) 932-2072or
Morley RCMP
Ph: (403) 881-2828Otherwise, please leave the dog alone so it can return home.
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What do I do about potential animal cruelty or neglect?
If you have a concern or believe an animal to be suffering cruelty or neglect, contact and report your concern to:
Town of Canmore Animal Services
Ph: (403) 678-4244or
Town of Banff Animal Control
Ph: (403) 762-1218Or contact the Alberta SPCA