ANIMALS IN DISTRESS is a registered voluntary organization founded by a small group of people concerned about the cruelty and neglect to which many of our domestic and wild animals are subjected. Cruelty results in most cases from apathy and ignorance by people who give little thought to their responsibility towards their fellow creatures. As human populations encroach more and more on the habitat of the lower animal kingdom, animals become more and more vulnerable on man, unfortunately leading to much abuse.

Our membership is made up of people from all walks of life. Their ideals and concerns regarding animal welfare might differ but the one thing they all have in common is the desire to help animals in distress.

We recognize that much of the cruelty inflicted on dogs and cats, for instance, stems from the supply far outweighing the demand of these pets. This situation results in thousands of these creatures having to be destroyed each month. One of the most important mandates, therefore, of ANIMALS IN DISTRESS is to encourage pet owners to have their animals neutered or spayed, thus avoiding indiscriminate and uncontrolled breeding. Funds are used for this purpose. All animals adopted out are spayed or neutered unless they are too young (in this case, the new owners are required to bring their new addition to our vet for their operation, at our expense).

Healthy stray dogs and cats are found suitable homes, and advice concerning their care is given to the new owner when necessary. As there are no facilities for an injured or sick stray animal other than in a veterinary clinic, ANIMALS IN DISTRESS financially supports many kind people who wish to save a stray animal?s life but who find the cost of the veterinary care prohibitive. Euthanasia is used only as a last resort when sustaining life would be cruel, as in the case of severe injury due to accident or fatal diseases.

The organization is not concerned with replacing larger Humane Societies. In fact, many of our members belong to one or more of these Societies across Canada. It does, however, give support to active national and international animal welfare groups including organizations whose aim is to abolish the cruel methods of trapping wild fur-bearing animals. Many of our members, of course, are opposed to any trapping whatsoever.