Is the RHS affiliated with or receive funding from other humane organizations?
No. We are a private, non-profit organization which has been providing animal welfare services to Regina and area since 1964.  There is a misconception that all “humane societies” or “SPCA’s” operate under the umbrella of a provincial and/or national organization and receive funding from them. This is not true. Because there are so many humane organizations with similar names, it is not uncommon for supporters of one humane society or SPCA to mistake it with other humane societies and SPCAs.  The RHS is dependent solely on financial support from our community and donors. Although we (and other humane societies) partner with other local or national organizations on special projects or legislative issues from time-to-time, we are all independent organizations.

Does the Regina Humane Society receive government funding?
No. The Society currently receives a fee for service from the City of Regina for Municipal Animal Control and Impoundment Services. The Regina Humane Society receives no on-going sources of funding from the provincial or federal governments and relies on donations, grants, and the support of the community to continue our work. The cost of running the Regina Humane Society is over $4 million per year. Click here for more information on making a donation.

How much does it cost to adopt a pet?
The financial cost of adopting a Regina Humane Society pet only covers a portion of the actual cost the Society incurs while caring for the pet. All RHS pets are spay/neutered, vaccinated, tattooed, micro-chipped and receive a post-adoption veterinary examination at a local clinic. Many of our pets go through further procedures (temperament testing, training, grooming) all of this on top of the everyday care we provide to your pet as they await adoption.

How long do animals remain up for adoption?
Although most of our animals are adopted within one or two weeks, there is no limit to the length of time that animals remain available for adoption. In some cases, we may care for an animal for several days, weeks or months. We closely monitor dogs, cats and little critters who remain at our shelter for an extended time and provide them Enrichment Activities to minimize their stress.

Does the RHS provide information on adoptable pets related to their compatibility with other dogs, cats, livestock or children?
The RHS recognizes how important it is to adopters that their new pet is a good fit for their family. The RHS adoptable pet personality profiles provide valuable insights into the character of adoptable dogs and cats as viewed in a shelter environment. Compatibility assurances with other pets, including other cats or other dogs and children are not included in these profiles since behaviour can be variable and any recommendations regarding compatibility may provide adopters with a false sense of security based on these assessments.

How a pet interacts in the shelter environment is not necessarily an indicator of how they will behave at home. Home is full of resources to guard and changes in routine, which may not occur in a shelter environment. Even shelter introductions with other dogs, cats or children may not inform us about their behaviour in the home. A pet may behave differently with each dog, cat or child based on their past experiences, how introductions are performed or the way the other dog, cat or child approaches or behaves. For example, if a dog only sniffs a cat who stands still, it doesn’t tell us what he will do when the cat runs away. If the cat is in a crate for the introduction, the dog’s behaviour could be a result of the barrier, a result of a novel situation, or even the dog’s experiences with crates!

It is dangerous to make broad generalizations about how each pet would behave with resident dogs, cats or children due to this amount of variability. Although shelter introductions may provide further information on compatibility, the RHS supports adopters by providing management tips for the first few months to help facilitate, supervise and monitor interactions among their resident dog, cat or children and the new dog to ensure a successful placement.

Why does the Regina Humane Society request an Owner Surrender Fee when someone needs to give up his/her pet?
In some instances, an owner surrender fee of $50 is requested to help cover a small portion of what it costs the Society to care for each animal that stays at the RHS facility. The costs to care for animals add up very quickly with such items as:

• health assessment
• spay/neuter surgery
• vaccines
• deworming
• feeding
• care
• cleaning
• time and effort in promoting animals to find them a home
• maintenance of computer records for each animal
• care of the building that provides shelter

My pet is missing…what should I do?
Due to the sheer number of animals who go missing each day, it is imperative that you visit the RHS to search for your lost pet in person and leave a description with our Lost and Found Department even if your pet has identification. Tattoos can be unreadable due to fading over time or injury and collars and tags can be removed or fall off. Continue to visit the RHS frequently and review our Lost Pet Checklist for ways to help you find your missing pet.

Does the Regina Humane Society provide a euthanasia (humane ending of a pet’s life) service for publicly owned animals?
The Society does not provide euthanasia services for publicly owned animals. For euthanasia services, please call your veterinarian. The RHS will provide euthanasia to any pet that is suffering and in distress.

Who should I contact if I suspect an animal is being mistreated or neglected?
RHS Animal Protection Officers enforce Saskatchewan’s Animal Protection Act. If you think that an animal is deprived of adequate food, water, shelter or is living in dirty conditions, not receiving adequate veterinary and grooming care, or adequate protection from injurious heat or cold; within city limits, please call the Regina Humane Society Animal Protection Department at 306-777-7700.

**  Please note: Our Officers are often investigating complaints so they may not be available to answer your concerns immediately.

Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan deals with animal neglect complaints in all areas of Saskatchewan outside of the City of Regina. To contact them, please call 1-844-382-0002.

If you feel that an animal is in imminent danger of death or injury, and you cannot reach an RHS Animal Protection Officer, please call the Regina Police Service at 306-777-6500.

My neighbour’s dog barks all the time. Who can help with this problem?
They may be in violation of the noise nuisance ordinance. The police department or your local law enforcement department handles barking-dog complaints. For barking dogs in the City of Regina contact the City of Regina at 306-777-7000 Monday to Friday during regular office hours or the Regina City Police at 306-777-6500 after hours or on weekends. If there are concerns regarding the care of the barking dog the Regina Humane Society will respond to the complaint.

Does the Regina Humane Society provide veterinary services to the public (spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, micro-chipping, etc.)?
The Regina Humane Society does not perform veterinary services for the public, with the exception of a subsidized Spay and Neuter Program available to members of the public with qualifying income levels. The RHS is restricted in its ability to operate a public clinic due to a lack of necessary resources. Our veterinary staff’s time and talents are directed entirely to caring for animals in our shelter and impacting pet overpopulation through the Spay/Neuter Program. The clinic can only respond to an animal’s medical emergency if the owners surrender the animal to the shelter. 

Can you recommend a veterinarian to me?
The Society encourages lifelong veterinary care for all animals and encourages pet owners to contact one of the area clinics to receive any veterinary services that may be required for their pet.

Does the RHS accept donations of food or other pet supplies?
All of the dry dog and cat food fed to RHS shelter pets is provided free of charge by Horizon Pet Food located in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. Health issues and stomach upset can be avoided when Shelter dogs and cats are provided a singular, consistent good quality dry food, which thanks to the generosity of Horizon Pet Food, we are able to supply. 

A variety of canned pet foods are used to supplement kibble and sometimes we do require specialty dry food for pets who have sensitive stomachs, allergies or are recovering from surgery. Many generous members of the public have asked us if there are specific foods we need to be donated to help these animals. This list can be found on our website under How You Can Help.

The timing of food donations is irregular and can fluctuate. At certain times, we may receive an overabundance of a particular pet food, which may result in the food expiring before we can use it, which is wasteful. Any donated food that we cannot use, or may cause excessive surplus causing waste, is redirected through our various community outreach programs to help other pets in need. 

The RHS does accept other donated pet supplies and items used for the care of the animals such as laundry detergent, bleach, towels, rawhides and non-clumping cat litter. A full listing of needed supplies, including a link to our Amazon Wish List, can be found on our website under Get Involved. For donors who purchase specific needed items for the shelter, we are happy to provide a charitable receipt provided the cashier receipt is brought into the Shelter at the time of donation.