Position:

The Regina Humane Society (RHS) supports the transfer of companion animals to and from other reputable rescue/shelter organizations to assist with alleviating pet overpopulation or to serve the individual needs of animals requiring specialized care and/or placement.

Rationale:

Transfer programs are a useful tool in saving animal lives by networking available resources among reputable rescue/shelter agencies. RHS transfer programs fall into two categories:

1. INCOMING TRANSFERS: Legal ownership of an animal that is the property of another rescue/shelter organization is transferred to the RHS.

By transferring adoptable animals to the RHS from other areas, the Society can save lives while assisting shelters and rescues in neighboring areas in lowering their animal populations. This allows source shelters and rescues to direct more resources to prevention programming and the animals that remain in their care.

The RHS will transfer companion animals from other shelters/rescues only when experiencing excess capacity to care; including but not limited to space, staffing, behavior and/or veterinary resources. Excess capacity will not include space that can reasonably be expected to be required for City of Regina Impound or quarantine purposes.

The Regina Humane Society’s first priority is to provide for the needs of companion animals in the City of Regina. If the transfer of animals becomes an option, the RHS will attempt to fulfill transfer requests and needs following the below priorities:

• Animals from local animal welfare agencies or rescue groups
• Animals from other regions of Saskatchewan
• Animals from neighboring provinces
• Selected immediately at-risk animals from any geographic area within the country

Potential source organizations may be either non-profit animal sheltering agencies or rescue groups that directly serve open-admission shelters or underserved communities.

While some communities are experiencing success in reducing pet overpopulation through established adoption, spay/neuter, outreach and education programs, others continue to struggle with addressing overpopulation and resulting unwanted animals. Many communities do not have large enough populations to provide homes for all of the animals in need of homes.

Animal shelter intake numbers can vary dramatically throughout the year. At times, the RHS does not have adoptable pets in adequate number or diversity to support public demand.  Families determined to adopt a specific type of pet may turn to other sources to acquire a pet which may not be animal-welfare focused in their operations.

2. OUTGOING TRANSFERS: Legal ownership of an animal that is property of the RHS is transferred to another rescue/shelter organization.

The RHS may transfer animals to other organizations based on need. If the RHS has a surplus of adoptable animals in its care or adoptable animals require a change of venue to support their adoption, transfer may be pursued. At times, the Society’s resources or animal care policies do not support the required medical or behavioral rehabilitation needs of animals in its care.

The Society will pursue transfer of these animals to agencies which are able to meet the animal’s rehabilitation or recovery requirements and provide the opportunity to find appropriate homes.

Potential accepting transfer organizations may be either non-profit animal sheltering agencies or rescue groups that may specialize in certain breeds, medical or behavioral conditions. All efforts are made by RHS to ensure the accepting organization is a rescue/shelter in good standing and that policies and procedures align with those of the RHS.

All organizations involved with incoming/outgoing RHS transfers, must adhere to the Regina Humane Society Transfer Agreement. This agreement includes language to ensure appropriate legal possession, compliance, and disclosure as well as appropriate care and keeping. An animal that is deemed not adoptable by the receiving organization due to health or behavioral concerns will be referred back to the original rescue/shelter for return transfer unless the animal is in extreme distress and humane euthanasia is required, as prescribed by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Veterinarian’s Oath and the Animal Protection Act of Saskatchewan.