Forty Lives Transformed in a Single Day at the HBSPCA

Hamilton, ON — Yesterday, the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA) delivered life-changing impact on World Spay Day, performing 40 spay and neuter surgeries in a single day across its surgical suite. The ambitious effort reflects not only clinical capacity, but a clear and urgent belief: prevention is the most powerful tool in advancing animal welfare.

Three HBSPCA veterinarians, supported by a highly skilled clinical team, completed the focused initiative with precision and care. Each procedure provided immediate health benefits, prevented unintended litters, and improved behavioural outcomes—helping pets remain in loving homes. But the impact reaches far beyond the 40 animals treated yesterday.

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Spay and neuter services are one of the most responsible and strategic investments an animal welfare organization can make. For animals, the benefits include reduced risk of certain cancers and infections, improved long-term health, and decreased stress-related behaviours. For pet guardians, these procedures can mean lower lifetime veterinary costs, fewer behavioural challenges, and greater stability within the home. Spaying and neutering strengthens the human-animal bond by helping families avoid unexpected litters and the difficult decisions that can follow.

Every surgery performed yesterday also reduces future shelter intake, eases pressure on limited community resources, and prevents suffering before it begins. In a climate where animal shelters across North America continue to face capacity challenges, proactive care is not optional—it is essential.

“Yesterday, I was proud to be in the surgical suite performing these procedures,” said Dr. Jenn Farr, Medical Director of the HBSPCA. “Each spay and neuter we complete represents immediate health benefits for these animals and long-term impact for our community. Being part of World Spay Day in action is a powerful reminder of how prevention truly changes lives.”

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For the HBSPCA, prevention is foundational to its mission. By investing in proactive medical services, the organization strengthens the long-term health of animal populations, supports responsible pet guardianship, and creates space within the shelter system for animals who need urgent care and refuge. Prevention reduces crisis. It improves outcomes. It builds sustainability.

World Spay Day serves as a global reminder that meaningful change in animal welfare begins upstream. The HBSPCA’s ability to perform 40 surgeries in a single day demonstrates what is possible when expertise, strategy, and purpose align. It is not simply a milestone—it is exponential impact in motion, with ripple effects that will be felt for years to come across Hamilton, Burlington, and surrounding communities.

Community members are encouraged to consider the role of spay and neuter in responsible pet ownership and to explore the HBSPCA’s programs that make preventive care accessible and impactful.

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To learn more about the HBSPCA’s spay and neuter programs, or to view adoptable pets, visit hbspca.com.

About the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA

The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA is always Pet First. Since 1887, we have advanced the humane treatment of animals through innovative education, services, and partnerships. Our programs support over one million animal interactions annually, providing vital resources that ensure the well-being of animals and the families who care for them. We take care of animals because they take care of us.