MSPCA is a non-profit organization that protects animals, relieves their suffering, advances their health and welfare, prevents cruelty, and works for a just and compassionate society. The MSPCA of Cape Cod is located on Route 28 in Centerville, MA.

STATEMENTS OF BELIEF

Animal Control -
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals believes that comprehensive, progressive, and effectively administered animal control programs are essential to the protection of animals. Such programs lead to a reduction in animal suffering by helping to reduce pet overpopulation and decrease the incidence of animal injury and abuse. Furthermore, these programs improve public health and safety by reducing the number of animal bites and providing greater control over the spread of rabies and other diseases. Effective animal control also protects wildlife, farm animals, and the environment.

The MSPCA believes that an effective animal control program is established by law and includes provisions for the following:
l. Proper sheltering facilities for stray, abandoned, or unwanted dogs and cats;
2. A licensing program that includes reduced fees for sterilized animals;
3. Leashing and humane confinement of animals;
4. Progressive yet reasonable penalties for ordinance violations;
5. Adoption standards that provide for the placement of shelter animals in responsible permanent homes;
6. Mandatory sterilization of all dogs and cats adopted from animal shelters;
7. Humane euthanasia practices;
8. Rabies control, including but not restricted to quarantines, public education, and immunization requirements for domestic animals;
9. Referral or, where authorized, investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty complaints;
10. Animal waste removal;
11. Humane procedures for addressing nuisance animals;
12. Appropriate restraint or, if necessary, humane euthanasia of animals that pose a threat to other animals or people;
13. Ongoing public education programs to promote responsible pet ownership and to reduce pet overpopulation;
14. Effective and ongoing training programs for animal control personnel that include, but are not limited to:
a. humane animal care,
b. humane euthanasia procedures,
c. humane capture and restraint methods,
d. periodic review of animal control and animal cruelty statutes,
e. appropriate law enforcement practices, and
f. human relations and crisis management; and
15. Sufficient funding and personnel with which to carry out these programs.

The MSPCA further believes that it is the responsibility of state and/or municipal governments to establish and finance animal control programs in the interest of animal welfare, public health, public safety, and the environment.

Therefore, the MSPCA will seek to achieve effective animal control by:
1. Advocating progressive animal control programs;
2. Working with animal control professionals to develop and sponsor training courses for animal control officers;
3. Working with municipalities and the veterinary profession to establish sterilization programs to combat pet overpopulation; and
4. Conducting humane education programs and disseminating information advocating effective animal control, responsible pet ownership, and reduction of pet overpopulation. 10/85
(See also MSPCA Statement on Responsible Pet Ownership )

Animal Fighting -
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is unequivocally opposed to any event that sets one animal against another or sets a person against an animal as combatants.