SPCA Montérégie

she began making inquiries about where homeless animals picked up on the South Shore were being sent.

In a video interview with Montreal Gazette, Linda Robertson recounted how she founded the SPCA Montérégie 30 years ago.

“I was very distressed to learn that animals that were being picked up,” she explained in the interview, “were taken to private pounds, and they ended their day in either a gas chamber, a decompression chamber, or they were electrocuted”. She explained further that the animals who escaped that fate were sent to the United States to be used in research labs. With this shocking revelation, Robertson knew something needed to be done.

In order to change the fate of these animals, Robertson decided to create an SPCA. She applied to the government for a charter and began looking for funding. Without funds, her options were limited. She contacted the Montreal Gazette and they did a story about the SPCA and photographed the three dogs they had in the beginning.

She was thankful for article they wrote about the the

SPCA Montérégie and soon after they received donations totalling $30,000.

The next step was the purchase of a second-hand van and the renting of a location in Chambly to run the operation.

In the beginning Robertson and her associates worked seven days a week, 365 days a year. The shelter would close at 8 p.m. and open at 8 a.m.

In order to have a source of income for the care of the animals they were taking in, the SPCA Montérégie obtained a contract with the cities of St-lambert and Stbruno to pick up stray animals in their towns.

Currently, they have around 60 dogs and the same number of cats.

We spoke to one very happy local adopter, Tanie Ewing of West Bolton.

In 2018, Ewing saw a big dog up for adoption in Brome County News’ “Pet of the Week” column, a reoccurring notice submitted by Gail Watt that features the picture of an animal ready to be adopted and a small description to get people interested.

She headed over to the adoption agency.

“I was very impressed with the way they would talk to people,” she explained in a phone interview. She said that the SPCA was very attentive to the potential owners, making sure the homes they were sending animals to were guaranteed to keep the animals happy and healthy.

Ewing went in and met Max, the dog that would soon be a new member of her family. She recalled that he was “kept in a nice spot,” and they took him home that day.

“What was interesting,” Ewing added, “Gail Watt came and checked on him after a few weeks,” she said, to make sure Max was adjusting and happy in his new home. She was impressed with the thoroughness of the adoption process.

All in all, Ewing said, the SPCA Montérégie is “a great place to adopt a dog,” and she would go back again once she is ready for anther adoption.

No need to buy dogs, she said, when you can go to the SPCA.

The SPCA Montérégie is located at 178 Chemin du Vide in Sainteangèle-de-manoir and adoptions are by appointment only.