Nova Scotia SPCA
STAR RATINGCi's Star Rating is calculated based on the following independent metrics: |
✔+
FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
Audited financial statements for current and previous years available on the charity’s website.
C+
RESULTS REPORTING
Grade based on the charity's public reporting of the work it does and the results it achieves.
n/r
DEMONSTRATED IMPACT
The demonstrated impact per dollar Ci calculates from available program information.
NEED FOR FUNDING
Charity's cash and investments (funding reserves) relative to how much it spends on programs in most recent year.
52%
CENTS TO THE CAUSE
For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 52 cents are available for programs.
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OVERVIEW
About Nova Scotia SPCA:
Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a 3-star charity with a below-average C+ results reporting grade. Its overhead spending is outside of Ci’s reasonable range, and its reserve funds can cover annual program costs for just over six months.
Founded in 1877, Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NS SPCA) supports pets across Nova Scotia. The charity follows open-admission and no-kill principles. It works to rebuild animals’ trust, ensure their health and safety, and place them into new homes. NS SPCA runs six shelters, provides veterinary services in partnership with Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital, and operates five thrift stores to support fundraising efforts.
NS SPCA runs three main programs: Shelter Operations, Investigations, and the College of Animal Welfare. The charity spent $7.4m on its programs in 2025, and reports serving over 25,149 animals across Nova Scotia.
Shelter Operations received 74% of program spending in 2025. It provided shelter and care to 5,279 animals, and the Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital served 9,282 animals. It also served 3,055 animals through its Pet Pantry, a pet food and litter bank for families in crisis.
Investigations received 18% of program spending in 2025. The investigation team looks into suspected situations of animal cruelty, abuse, or neglect. NS SPCA reports that it served 7,533 animals through its investigations.
The College of Animal Welfare received 8% of program spending in 2025. The program trains students to become veterinary assistants and veterinary technicians. Students learn animal handling, basic nursing care, and clinical support skills. They also study anatomy and client communication. In 2025, 27 students graduated from the college.
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Results and Impact
NS SPCA reports that over 90% of animals in its care are adopted or reunited with their owners.
While Ci highlights these key results, they may not completely represent Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ results and impact.
Charity Intelligence has not yet rated NS SPCA on impact (n/r). This does not affect the star rating.
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Finances
NS SPCA’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, a financial reporting best practice. Its expenses are clearly defined between program, administrative, and fundraising categories.
In 2025, NS SPCA received $7.0m in donations and $4.2m in fees for services. It also received $334k in investment income.
Program spending was $7.4m (56% of total revenue), with the charity running a surplus of $1.5m.
Administrative costs were $2.1m (16% of revenue less investment income), and fundraising costs were $2.2m (32% of donations). Overhead spending was 48%, meaning that for every dollar received, 52 cents are available to go to the cause. This is outside of Ci’s reasonable range, which suggests 65-95 cents per dollar.
At the end of 2025, NS SPCA had $3.8m in funding reserves (cash and investments), which could cover its annual program costs for just over six months.
This charity report is an update that has been sent for review to Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.
Updated on June 18, 2026, by Ava Anderson.
Financial Review
Fiscal year ending December
|
2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative costs as % of revenues | 16.1% | 16.3% | 17.7% |
| Fundraising costs as % of donations | 32.2% | 36.9% | 38.6% |
| Total overhead spending | 48.3% | 53.2% | 56.3% |
| Program cost coverage (%) | 51.5% | 65.7% | 109.8% |
Summary Financial StatementsAll figures in $000s |
2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 6,984 | 6,455 | 5,461 |
| Government funding | 1,238 | 764 | 668 |
| Fees for service | 4,175 | 4,771 | 3,499 |
| Investment income | 334 | 610 | 440 |
| Other income | 513 | 629 | 616 |
| Total revenues | 13,244 | 13,229 | 10,684 |
| Program costs | 7,385 | 6,645 | 5,947 |
| Administrative costs | 2,081 | 2,059 | 1,809 |
| Fundraising costs | 2,245 | 2,384 | 2,108 |
| Other costs | 47 | 52 | 42 |
| Total spending | 11,759 | 11,139 | 9,907 |
| Cash flow from operations | 1,485 | 2,090 | 777 |
| Capital spending | 2,490 | 4,265 | 1,604 |
| Funding reserves | 3,802 | 4,365 | 6,529 |
Note: Deferred adjustment: NS SPCA uses deferred accounting. To show donors information on a consistent basis, Ci adjusted for these deferred revenues. This affected revenue by $63k in 2025, $327k in 2024, and $773k in 2023. Investment income: Ci adjusted revenue for investment income (loss), affecting it by $25k in 2025, $30k in 2024, and $nil in 2023. Gain on marketable securities: Ci adjusted revenue for gains on marketable securities, affecting it by $309k in 2025, $580k in 2024, and $nil in 2023. Change in receivables from related parties: Ci adjusted for change in receivables from related parties. This affected revenue by $389k in 2025, $828k in 2024, and $9k in 2023. Interest on long-term debt: Ci backed out interest on long-term debt from administrative costs and reported it as other costs.
Salary Information
$350k + |
0 |
$300k - $350k |
0 |
$250k - $300k |
0 |
$200k - $250k |
0 |
$160k - $200k |
1 |
$120k - $160k |
0 |
$80k - $120k |
8 |
$40k - $80k |
1 |
< $40k |
0 |
Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2024
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Comments & Contact
Comments added by the Charity:
Charity Contact
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Tel: 1-902-835-4798