One Mission. Countless lives changed.
MISSION STATEMENT
Cape Ann Animal Aid is a non-profit, no kill organization dedicated to facilitating appropriate placement of adoptable animals and enhancing the lives of all companion animals by promoting respect and well-being through education and outreach. MDAR License #0102
NON-PROFIT STATUS
We are a 501(c)3 private, non-profit organization, governed by a Board of Directors, composed of volunteers from the community. As a nonprofit, we rely entirely upon the support of individuals, businesses, corporations, and foundations to provide funding and/or in-kind donations. Tax ID: 04-2374914
OUR PROGRAMS & FUNDS
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OUR HISTORY
SHELTER MEDICINE
ENRICHMENT
SAFE HARBOR
HISTORY AND PROGRAMS
OUR HISTORY
In 1964, the late Ruth Spoor and a group of animal lovers created the CAAA as a rescue group for the many cats and dogs often abandoned by summer residents. Over the years our organization grew from a few donated cages in an empty garage to occupying a 1,200 sq foot building at 260 Main Street to our present 7,500 sq foot building at 4 Paws Lane, the Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter. June of 2022 marks 10 years at our current location.
WE REACH OUT TO ANIMALS IN NEED
Today we continue to make the rescue of local cats and dogs our first priority. Many of our animals arrive via owner surrender or from local overburdened animal control agencies, humane societies, and rescue groups. Due to effective spay and neuter in New England, we are also able to take in and find homes for animals from other areas of the country and beyond that are struggling with animal overpopulation issues.
OUR ANIMALS RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL CARE AND ATTENTION
Specially trained staff and volunteers spend time handling, grooming, socializing, training and interacting with each animal in our care. Our animals are provided with a variety of interactive toys and receive lots of affection. Our dogs are walked regularly and our cats get time to roam outside of cages where they can investigate, play, and interact with other cats.
WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR ANIMALS
Some animals arrive at our shelter with health issues. Our Shelter Medicine Department ensures that they receive the treatment needed to maintain a good quality of life. We are able to complete about 90% of all medical care in-house, and partner closely with area vets to complete procedures that are unable to be done at the shelter. In addition, we work to rehabilitate animals with behavior issues to the best of our ability. Patron animal lovers like yourselves allow us to provide the extra care any of our special needs pets require. No adoptable animals in our care are ever euthanized for age, space, or length of stay.
WE'RE HERE TO HELP EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!
We hope we can assist you in finding a wonderful animal companion for you and your family. Please visit our facility or browse our adoptable pet listings to learn about our adoption process. We update our website daily and look forward to helping you make a life-long bond with your new best friend today.
IMPACT REPORTS AND STATS
Organization Stats (Calendar Year)
Cape Ann Animal Aid is a participant of Shelter Animals Count and is proud to report our statistics to maintain transparency, identify trends, and consistently reflect upon where we are, where we have been, and where we want to go. The reporting format tracks the status of every pet using a nationally recognized standard known as the Basic Data Matrix, created in accordance with the Asilomar Accords.
Follow the links below to download our statistics in PDF format.
Euthanasia in a no-kill shelter
As a no-kill shelter, we are deeply committed to saving lives and providing every animal in our care with the time, support, and medical attention they need to thrive. Best Friends Animal Society defines "no-kill" as saving at least 90% of the animals who come through our doors, and we work tirelessly to ensure each one has a path to adoption, recovery, or safe placement. We will never euthanize a healthy, adoptable animal due to age, space constraints, or an animal's length of stay.
In rare cases, however, euthanasia becomes the most humane option—typically for animals suffering from untreatable medical conditions that severely compromise their quality of life, or those whose behaviors negatively impact their quality of life and/or pose a significant safety risk and cannot be safely re-homed. These difficult decisions are never made lightly and always involve veterinary and behavioral professionals, along with a deep sense of responsibility to the animal and our community.
We believe in transparency and compassion, and we want our community to know that even in the hardest moments, our goal remains the same: to reduce suffering, protect well-being, and honor the dignity of every animal we serve.