Tompkins County SPCA

The Tompkins County SPCA was incorporated in February 1902 in an effort to prosecute individual cases of cruelty. In 1904, the organization acquired sheltering facilities and took over as pound master for some of the municipalities within the county. For much of its history, the SPCA has employed humane officers to investigate individual cases of cruelty, as well as providing impound, sheltering, adoption and destruction of unwanted dogs, cats, and other animals.

In 1999, the SPCA Board of Directors resolved to become a "no kill" shelter, while maintaining its animal control contracts with local municipalities. Currently, the SPCA has contracts for animal control with all townships, the City of Ithaca, the local Health Department, and the County for stray dog control, stray cat control, rabies suspect animal quarantine, cruelty enforcement, and enforcing of local and state laws regarding dogs.

After reducing the death rate over 50% in a single year, the SPCA finished 2001 saving 100% of healthy dogs and cats for the first time in its 100 year history, and an important first step toward realizing its No Kill vision. In 2002, the SPCA further saved 100% of healthy and treatable dogs and cats--the first county in the nation to do so--and maintained that during 2003. Animal People, a national journal, ranked Tompkins County the safest community in the U.S. with a euthanasia rate of 1.8 animals for every 1,000 human residents, over eight times less than the national average and the lowest of any community in the nation.

In Spring of 2004, the SPCA opened the Dorothy Park Pet Adoption Center, a sheltering facility that provides dogs and cats with comfortable home-like settings, access to natural light, and health promoting independent air systems. The Adoption Center also has a surgery suite, 12 acres of dog walking, training and play spaces. Registered as the nation's first "green" animal shelter (U.S. Green Building Council) for its environmental emphasis, earth friendly adaptations, and sustainable design, the facility is "good for people, good for animals, and good for the planet." The Tompkins County SPCA is run by an Executive Director, paid staff, and over 165 volunteers. It is governed by a Board of Directors.

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