Over 120 years of protecting animals
Founded in 1902, the SPCA of Tompkins County is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals and providing safe shelter and care for animals in need. For more than a century, the organization has served as a critical resource for both animals and the people who care for them across Tompkins County and the surrounding region.
In 2001, following a deliberate, data-driven transition, the SPCA of Tompkins County became the nation’s first open-admission, adoption-guarantee (no-kill) animal shelter. Unlike limited- admission shelters, the SPCA accepts all animals regardless of age, health, or behavior, while maintaining a commitment to saving all healthy and treatable animals. This model—once considered aspirational—has since become a national standard, with more than 60% of shelters across the United States now operating under similar principles.
The organization operates out of the Dorothy & Roy Park Pet Adoption Center in Ithaca, New York, a state-of-the-art, LEED-certified facility designed to promote animal health and well- being. The center provides enriched, home-like environments for animals, advanced ventilation systems to reduce disease transmission, and dedicated spaces for medical care, training, and behavioral support.
Today, the SPCA of Tompkins County serves as a comprehensive animal welfare provider. Each year, the organization cares for approximately 1,300 animals, including those surrendered locally and transferred from regions experiencing higher rates of overpopulation. In addition to sheltering and adoption services, the SPCA investigates reports of animal cruelty and neglect and provides municipal dog control services to seven local jurisdictions.
Recognizing that access to veterinary care is one of the most significant barriers to keeping pets in homes, the SPCA operates one of the region’s high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter programs. The organization performs more than 2,000 public surgeries annually, serving pet owners across Tompkins County and up to 18 surrounding counties. These services play a vital role in reducing pet overpopulation and preventing unnecessary surrender.
The SPCA also prioritizes proactive, community-based support. Outreach initiatives bring vaccines and basic veterinary care directly to underserved populations, while a weekly pet food and supply pantry helps families maintain ownership during times of financial hardship. The organization additionally provides temporary housing for pets whose owners are experiencing crisis situations, ensuring that animals are not permanently surrendered due to short-term instability.
This work is made possible by a dedicated team of approximately 40 staff members and more than 250 volunteers, whose collective efforts ensure that every animal receives compassionate care, enrichment, and the opportunity for a positive outcome.
Through its integrated approach—combining sheltering, prevention, enforcement, and community support—the SPCA of Tompkins County continues to advance a humane, sustainable model of animal welfare that keeps pets and people together while saving lives.
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