About SPA des Cantons
History and Mission
Founded in 2012, SPA des Cantons began its operations in the town of Cowansville. It quickly took in dogs and cats throughout the Eastern Townships region. Since April 2022, it has been established in Granby in new facilities better suited for the well-being of its residents.
SPA des Cantons is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and manage stray or abandoned domestic animals, in accordance with service agreements concluded with partner municipalities.
In collaboration with authorities, SPA des Cantons is responsible for recovering, sheltering, treating, and caring for abandoned, stray, or dangerous animals. It conducts assessments of the animals’ physical and behavioral health in order to find them a loving family that meets their needs. Through its actions, SPA des Cantons encourages citizens to take responsibility for animals and raises awareness about animal welfare.
Annual Reports
Here is a brief overview of all the work accomplished.
By clicking on the photo, you can view our 2023 annual report.
Here is a brief overview of all the work accomplished.
By clicking on the photo, you can view our 2024 annual report.
Hunter's Story
Hunter: A Miracle of Resilience at SPA des Cantons
In November 2023, the police called us about a young dog found in an unsanitary apartment… tied to a door handle by a short leash, surrounded by excrement, and in such a strong odor that neighbors had to intervene. That dog was Hunter, less than a year old.
His collar, never adjusted, was embedded in his neck, causing a wound that bled. His long nails, his emaciated body… and yet, in the midst of all this misery, he gently wagged his tail. As if to say: “I still want to believe in humans.”
A victim of abuse and neglect, Hunter was under a legal case. We could treat his injuries, but not sterilize him, making it impossible to place him in a foster home or have him adopted: he did not legally belong to us.
Days passed, and Hunter still hoped to leave the shelter… but the wait dragged on. Gradually, he went into autopilot mode, repeating the same actions day after day. This routine pushed us to redouble our efforts to finally offer him a fresh start.
After 500 days, we found the perfect foster family. Discreet, attentive, cautious… capable of protecting Hunter until his adoption became possible. From the moment he arrived, magic happened: it was no longer a foster family, it was his family for life.
On September 29, 2025, after nearly two years of waiting and long, difficult proceedings, justice ruled: Hunter was officially transferred to us. Free at last, surrounded by love, adopted by those who had already won him over. His family also adopted Margaret, another survivor from the SPA. Today, they live together, happy and inseparable.
Hunter represented an enormous cost for the SPA, between care, surgeries, and food. Today, we are calling on your generosity to help other animals like him.
Thank you for believing that a second chance can change a life 🐾
Our Former Mascots
Patrick
You may have already met him—Patrick is the big gray cat who reigned at our reception desk starting in 2011 in Cowansville until our move to Granby in 2022. Yes! He was the first cat to set paw in SPA des Cantons. He grew up and participated in the life of our organization from its very beginning. Sometimes grumpy, he was a full-fledged member of our team as he helped us evaluate all the dogs. He was also the promoter and face of our wonderful pet shop!
Homard
We picked up Homard in the spring of 2018. He had been left alone in an isolated house for weeks. Emaciated and in poor condition, we took him in and kept him under observation for several weeks to allow him to recover from this traumatic experience. He quickly won the hearts of the entire SPA team. Homard is an affectionate, calm, and above all very funny dog! The only downside is that he does not tolerate any other dog with him. That is why he had never been placed for adoption. After several years of work, he finally found a family and even a feline companion! He unfortunately passed away in April 2024.
Orville
In February 2013, following a call from a citizen alarmed by his discovery, the SPA took in a dog that had been left for dead on the shoulder of a country road. He had been shot and discarded without consideration. Six bullet fragments were visible in his skull. Brought back to the SPA to receive the necessary care, it took him two days to regain consciousness. Orville became our little miracle! After residing for some time at SPA des Cantons, we offered him a peaceful retirement in a foster home. He is doing very well and has no lasting effects. During our events and fundraisers, Orville always paid us a little visit! He unfortunately left us in the winter of 2022.