NBSPCA Happy Tails program supports nearly 1,300 animals during first full year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2026
Fredericton, N.B. – The New Brunswick SPCA’s Happy Tails program completed its first full year of province-wide operations in 2025, providing 1,295 animals with essential veterinary care.
The Happy Tails Program provides low-income families with access to preventative and emergency veterinary care, addressing one of the leading drivers of animal neglect. While the program launched in 2024 to provide spay and neuter surgeries, it expanded in 2025 to include emergency veterinary care.
“Thanks to the generous support of our donors and veterinary partners, we have been able to keep hundreds of animals safe at home with their loving families,” said NBSPCA Executive Director Lesley Rogers. “We are starting to see the impact of a greater focus on prevention, as our animal protection officers removed about 100 fewer pets from unsafe situations in 2025 than in the previous year.”
In 2025, Happy Tails resulted in 551 spay or neuter surgeries, vaccinations and parasite treatments. An additional 744 animals received emergency veterinary assistance. A total of $451,000 in veterinary care was provided, funded 100 per cent by donations.
The NBSPCA is now partnering with 56 veterinary clinics across the province to provide Happy Tails services. Dr. Nicole Jewett, owner of AprilVets Fredericton, says her team is pleased to be part of the program.
“As veterinarians, we see every day how deeply people care about their pets, even when financial barriers make it difficult to access care,” she said. “Through Happy Tails, we can give back to our community in a meaningful way by providing preventative and emergency care that keeps animals healthy and families together.”
The NBSPCA also announced it has received a $100,000 donation from the Blue River Foundation to support the continued expansion of the Happy Tails program.
“This investment will help ensure more low-income pet families can access the care their pets need,” said Rogers. “We are incredibly grateful to the Blue River Foundation for their support.”
Rogers said the grant will be delivered in $20,000 annual increments over the next five years, allowing the NBSCPA to help up to 50 additional animals each year.
“We are proud to support the NBSPCA as part of our mission to create positive change for animals,” said Alisha Armour, Founding Board Member with the Blue River Foundation. “Programs like Happy Tails improve the lives of pets and their families, ensuring that financial hardship is not a barrier to compassionate, responsible pet care.”
About New Brunswick SPCA
Founded in 1881, New Brunswick SPCA (NBSCPA) is the only provincewide organization mandated to enforce animal protection laws. A dedicated team of 15 Animal Protection Officers is vested with the authority under the SPCA Act of New Brunswick to investigate and, if necessary, lay charges, seize animals, or recommend court orders to persons suspected of abuse and cruelty to animals.
The NBSPCA is a registered charity that exists to provide provincewide leadership in the humane treatment of animals. We enforce relevant legislation, ensure shelter for neglected or abused domesticated animals and agricultural animals, and provide public education and advocacy to empower New Brunswickers to help animals live long and healthy lives.
Media Contact: Lesley Rogers, lesleyr@nbspca.ca, 506−458−8208
