In April 1887, a small gathering assembled in the City Council chamber, to adopt a constitution and elect a Board of Directors. Recognizing the task ahead of them, the newly appointed officers, under Adam Brown, established the name as the Hamilton Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This was not a unanimous decision as some members were of the opinion that the organization should carry the name, "Hamilton Humane Society". A century later the two names have become interchangeable.
In 1987, the animals most frequently received by the Humane Society were dogs and cats. For the most part these are lost, sick and unwanted pets. They are given shelter, care and the possibility of new homes.
A hundred years ago the concern was not for what we now refer to as our pets, but rather for working animals. Pets did not actually become a focus of attention until the 1940's. In those early years, and for many years to come, animals were intricately woven into every aspect of society. They performed many tasks that today are handled by sophisticated machinery. We depended upon animals to provide food, transportation, clothing - all the necessities of life.
As our lifestyles changed through the decades, so did man's use of animals. Although we continue to use these creatures today, the public is being asked to question the validity of its actions. Not since the inception of the first S.P.C.A. in Britain, in 1824, has there been such an emotional fervour within the animal movement.
Perhaps it was the simplicity of life a century earlier, or a clear understanding of their goals, that led our founding members to undertake their first assignment. To afford some measure of protection for these creatures, it was deemed necessary to appoint an inspector. Someone who, if necessary, could enforce the laws pertaining to cruelty to animals for the Dominion of Canada. However, that first year, there were no funds to enable the new organization to employ such a person. The City was approached and Constable Watson was temporarily assigned from the Police Department as the first inspector for the Hamilton S.P.C.A.
Nearly all the livery-stable keepers had agreed to furnish a horse and buggy for the inspector, thus permitting investigations of cruelty beyond the city limits. Constable Watson's first report emphasized the need for a permanent inspector. Citations were given only for extreme cases of cruelty. Charges in those first few months included, among others: driving a hen lame or with galled shoulders, neglecting to provide proper stabling, driving with knee caps knocked off and striking when down. Even though horses were the chief victims of abuse, there are recorded fines for the ill treatment of all types of livestock.
One source of concern was for the horses belonging to the Post Office and Hamilton Street Railway. The Hamilton S.P.C.A. pressed for drinking fountains that would be a source of comfort and convenience, not only to the citizens of this community, but also for cattle, horses and dogs in need of water. The watering troughs have long since disappeared, but a few fountains still remain to quench our thirst on a hot summer's day.
In addition to protecting animals, the Hamilton Humane Society investigated and laid charges of cruelty against the maltreatment of a little girl in 1888. Henry Bergh, the founder of the American Humane Association, successfully prosecuted a similar case a few years earlier in New York. The legal rights that children have today are the results of the laws developed for the protection of animals. When the Hamilton Children's Aid Society was established in 1894, the Humane Society turned over to them two cases of cruelty to children which were then under investigation.
Pressing for stronger legislation which would protect all animals, the Hamilton Humane Society, in 1888, asked other Canadian Humane Societies to support a bill against the shooting of live birds and animals for sport.
Although Adam's Dickey Bird Bill, as it was dubbed, did not pass, it did demonstrate to Humane Societies how much could be achieved by united action. Shortly after the defeat of the "bird bill", Hamilton - along with several other Humane Societies - went on record favoring the formation of a Canadian Humane Association. Working together for a stronger voice which could better represent the needs of all animals, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies was finally established in 1957. Incorporated in 1873, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was essential to the operation of the Hamilton organization. In addition to serving as directors for the Hamilton S.P.C.A., many individuals also functioned in the same capacity for the Ontario S.P.C.A.
Embodied in the name, Hamilton Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is the commitment not merely to stop cruelty but to prevent the needless waste of life and to eliminate the slow, often agonizing deaths of our fellow creatures. The Hamilton S.P.C.A. has diligently promoted the notion that kindness to animals demonstrates a reverence for life, man or beast.
Very early in the development of our Society an education department was created. At the 5th annual meeting this department was asked to approach the Hamilton area schools to introduce readings which would exemplify the principles of the Society. From this action the seeds were sown for the Hamilton Humane Society's involvement with youth.
Our own Women's Committee was largely responsible for the early advancement of humane education in Canada. They were dedicated to the ideals that compassion, caring and concern were values to be encouraged and nurtured in children. The momentum created by this group of women is reflected in their accomplishments. By the early 1920's the growing involvement in education resulted in the development of the Hamilton Junior Society.
Membership records for the year 1925 list adult members at 700 and junior membership at 9,664. Considerable time and effort was spent in encouraging principals and teachers to include humane education as part of their classroom activities. With the assistance of the Hamilton School systems, Miss Eugenia Gibson, President of the Women's Committee, succeeded in obtaining permission from the Ontario Ministry of Education for the distribution of humane educational materials in all schools.
One of the cornerstones of the education program has been the direct involvement of the Society with children. Due to the success of the Hamilton Junior Society we have today a strong and viable education department.
So successful was the Hamilton Junior Humane Society that through out the years branches were developed in communities across Canada and the United States. Hamilton junior members eagerly awaited their buttons, pictures and pledge cards. The achievements of the Junior Society were such that the well known author, Rudyard Kipling, was approached, chose and gave permission for use on the pledge card, a verse from one of his writings. "Teach us the strength that cannot seek, By deed or through out to hurt the weak."
By the late 1930's a concern began to emerge for the increase in numbers of stray dogs and cats. The care shown livestock still continued to be of prime importance for the Society, but more and more the organization was being asked to deal with sick, neglected and abused pets. The City, which operated the pound from the Old Barton Street Jail, was also experiencing an increase in stray dogs. At that time, a very strict 24 hour claim period existed, before they were "put to sleep".
Within a few short years the pet problem dominated the work of the Humane Society. As the numbers of homeless pets increased so did the need for an animal shelter. The usual practice had been to ask members to take in these animals on a permanent or temporary basis.
In 1946, a very enterprising group of women took up the challenge. Calling themselves the Junior Ladies Auxiliary, they set out to build an animal shelter. To raise money they scoured the City for newspapers and sold them by the ton. They held bake sales, arts and crafts shows, bridge games and membership drives. Working closely with the Women's Committee, the 14,000 junior members were mobilized for tag days. Within two years a sufficient amount had been raised to buy a piece of property, and so the search for a site began.
The first choice of property on Ford Street was rejected by Dr. Clarke, Medical Health Officer for the City, as being too close to residential areas. Our original location on Parkdale Avenue was given approval in August 1948. Plans were immediately drawn up for a building which could accommodate 200 animals.
Included in these plans was the appointment of a manager to handle day-to-day operations. Until this structure was completed a little cottage was to serve as the Hamilton S.P.C.A.'s first animal shelter. This cottage indeed turned out to be a very valuable asset. Expected only to be a temporary measure, the building continued to function for many years. It was residence for the Inspector, Mr. Robert Shaw and his wife, additional office space, temporary housing for special animals and the always needed storage space. Regretfully the building finally had to come down 1968 to make room for one of the many expansions the Parkdale location had undertaken.
Little did the new manager, C.E. Naphtali, realize that the small building he was inaugurating in April 1950 would see no fewer than six phases of renovation and expansion. The dramatic increase in the pet population in the 1960's brought to light the many limitations of the shelter. A new location was proposed and agreed upon, but financial restrictions prevailed. Instead, the entire building was replaced in 1968 in stages. Ten years later another attempt was made to relocate, but like the proceeding decade never realized for the same reason.
