Q&A

Yes, the Upper Credit Humane Society is a registered charitable organization. Our charitable registration number is 893738872RR0001.

The UCHS serves a broad area, including Erin, Hillsburgh, Belfountain, Ballinafad, Ospringe, Orton, Stewartown, Alton, Caledon Village, Rockwood, Acton, Georgetown and their surrounding communities.

The UCHS does not pick up stray animals or wildlife.  All inquiries regarding stray dogs are to be re-directed to AgapiK9 Inc. (519-942-1508) as per the provisions of the Town of Erin By-Laws.

Provided the shelter is not at operation capacity, the UCHS accepts small domestic animals (cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, etc.) in need of shelter and adoption from all areas of Halton Hills, Erin/Hillsburgh and the surrounding areas. Please call UCHS (519-833-2287) before bringing any animals to the shelter to ensure there is space available. The UCHS does not house wildlife at the shelter as it is not licensed for this purpose by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

UCHS does not pick up stray dogs. All inquiries regarding stray dogs are to be re-directed to AgapiK9 Inc. (519-942-1508) as per the provisions of the Town of Erin By-Laws.

When the shelter is operating at maximum capacity, we are unable to accept stray animals or surrenders. When this occurs, we maintain a waiting list of residents wishing to surrender animals from the Halton Hills and Erin communities. When the shelter is full we have no option but to wait for adoptions of animals currently in our care to create openings as we do not euthanize healthy animals.

The majority of animals in our care come from Erin and surrounding areas, such as Georgetown, Acton, and Hillsburgh, as strays or surrenders from families who are no longer able to care for the animal. In addition to strays and surrenders, we also receive animals from other shelters or municipal pounds.

Not at all! We encourage adopters to come from all surrounding areas. Our primary goal is to protect the best interests of the animals in our care and find the best homes possible for each and every animal. Read more about our adoption process.

Absolutely! Our volunteers play a vital role in the lives of the animals that pass through our doors and they are very valued members of our organization. They are involved in all areas of the Upper Credit Humane Society, including: animal care, organizing and attending special events, fundraising, office help, yard work and gardening, light maintenance duties and a variety of roles at our Thrift Shop.

All shelter volunteers must be 16 years of age or older, unless otherwise stated. Thrift Shop volunteers must be 14 years of age or older. All volunteers are required to provide two references. References cannot be from family members. Students acquiring 40 hours of volunteer work are exempt from this requirement.

All volunteer opportunities are posted on the Volunteer page of the UCHS website.

The Thrift Shop in Moore Park Plaza is affiliated with the UCHS and the revenue it generates is critical in supporting the operations of the animal shelter. We have a dedicated team of amazing volunteers who manage the day-to-day Thrift Shop operations. Read more about the UCHS Thrift Shop here.

The province of Ontario has a toll-free number available 24/7 for the public to report animal welfare concerns.

Call 1-833-9ANIMAL or 1-833-926-4625 to report suspected cases of animal cruelty or inhumane treatment of animals.

The UCHS does not house wildlife at the shelter as it is not licensed for this purpose by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Please note that we do not remove wildlife that neighbourhoods feel are nuisance animals.

• Contact your local Animal Control
• Advise your neighbours and search your neighbourhood
• Post details of your pet on HelpingLostPets
• Put up posters in your neighbourhood with a recent photo of your pet and your contact information. Share information on social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
• Contact (or visit) local animal shelters and veterinary clinics
• If your pet is microchipped, contact the company that registered your microchip to report your pet missing

Microchipping improves the chances for a lost pet to be united with its family. Have your pets microchipped and be sure to register the microchip and keep your contact information is current.

For more tips, visit the Lost & Found section of our website

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies offers the following definitions:

Humane society/Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
This generally refers to an organization dedicated to the betterment of animal welfare. They usually run a shelter and an animal adoption program to find new homes for abandoned, mistreated and/or surrendered animals. They also conduct education in their community and are often mandated to enforce provincial and federal animal cruelty laws.

Shelter
Refers to the physical building where animals are held when they are being put up for adoption. Usually run by an organization such as a humane society, SPCA or a municipality. Good shelters not only do comprehensive physical exams on all the animals that they receive, but they also do temperament testing to ensure that all animals available for adoption will be safe members of the community.

Rescue organization
This is an animal rescue organization that is usually run out of an individual’s home or by a network of individuals fostering animals until they are adopted. Some may concentrate on certain breed of dogs or cats to rescue.

Pound
This is a municipal animal shelter. Some municipalities contract their local humane society or SPCA to provide the pound service and some are run independently from the humane society. Pounds generally take in stray animals and keep them on average three business days to give owners a chance to claim their lost animals. Many pounds will then offer the animals for adoption.