The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA) and the City of Hamilton have reached a long-term agreement regarding the future of the animal serving charity in relation to the City’s bylaw animal services.
Both the City and the HBSPCA have operated out of a joint facility since 2003, reflective of the SPCA’s previous role as Ontario’s animal welfare law enforcement agency. The joint facility enabled both the City and HBSPCA to benefit from providing joint services, as the roles of enforcement and the municipality’s responsibility for animal control overlapped.
In early 2019, an Ontario Superior Court judge ruled the SPCA’s enforcement role was unconstitutional. The Ontario Court of Appeal overturned the decision. However, the lower court decision served as a “catalyst” for the Ontario SPCA to decide to end its law enforcement role and focus solely on its work as an animal welfare charity.
This created a dilemma for the joint Hamilton-HBSPCA facility because municipalities are now more directly involved in enforcement and have increased space requirements as a result.
Following years of negotiation, both parties issued statements last week, announcing that they’ve reached an agreement on the future of the Dartnall Road facility.
The HBSPCA will remain at Dartnall Road, and the City will build a new animal services facility in the coming decade.
The City of Hamilton has not provided any cost estimates or conceptual plans for the new animal services facility.
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v. 1.0.0
Published: May 27, 2025
Last updated: May 27, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version
Thank you for covering this story. The HBSPCA is proud of our accomplishments with the limited space at the Dartnall Road Facility. We will be announcing shortly our long awaited expansion plans, now that we have an agreement for us to stay and continue to expand our reach and programs. We look forward to announcing our new $35 million dollar plans shortly. John Gerrard President and CEO
Build and expand more animals shelter, the Store in HSPCA need to rebuild and expand too, you should expand more animals medical benefits for low income. Free food for low income animals owner and expand delivery for a animals food.
Thank you Myla for your wonderful comments.
I want you to know we do currently provide Free Food and Treats and more for animals in need. Please contact our website and go to Pet Pantry. Register there and you will receive all the supports you need. In addition, you can visit any one of our Pet Health Outreach CLinics and be referred if to any of our medical services based on your income level. Thanks again for the great comment. John Gerrard President and CEO of the Hamilton Burlington SPCA