My first few days with the Nova Scotia SPCA were… not what you’d call “standard onboarding.” Some people get HR forms and office tours. I got hard hats and “we need this done yesterday.” I got Stellarton’s new facility, preparing for a launch.
And looking back, I wouldn’t change it one bit.
It was September 2024, and instead of easing into things with a hot coffee, a staff handbook, and orientation videos, I was tossed straight into the whirlwind that was the final countdown to opening our brand-new North Nova facility. Construction workers were still darting around finishing last-minute fixes, like a pit crew racing against the clock to get everything ready. Last-minute tasks were being tackled with heroic energy, and everyone around me seemed to be wearing three hats at once – sometimes literally.
At one point, I was ready to roll-up my sleeves and lay sod down around the facility. That’s how all-hands-on-deck it was. I met people in hallways, parking lots, carpools – everywhere. And somehow, even in the chaos, everyone was laughing and smiling. There was this shared electricity in the air, a mix of pride, excitement, and disbelief that after years of planning, building, budgeting, and dreaming, North Nova was finally about to open its doors.
And I got to see it happen.
On opening day in October 2024, the 9,148 square feet building of fresh paint and clean floors felt like a living thing. Named after Sharon and the Hon. Elmer MacKay for their generous support, it houses the Nova Scotia SPCA shelter, the Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital, and the Thrift Store, replacing the old Pictou building that had been standing since 1979. This was a new era not just for the Nova Scotia SPCA, but for the whole community.
“I’m proud of everything we accomplished,” said Sandra Flemming, Chief of Capital Planning. “Now that we are a year in at North Nova, it’s amazing what we’ve been able to do for the community. Seeing it from the beginning, from just a thought – moving from our small Pictou shelter on Granton Road to this new facility – it’s amazing what this team can do together.”
The very first adoption at the new shelter was Piper – a small orange and white kitten whose adoption felt like the perfect beginning to a brand-new chapter. When Piper went through the doors to her new home, it felt like the whole building exhaled. Staff celebrated. It was the exact moment when the mission became real, right in front of me.
And Piper was just the beginning.
In the first year at North Nova, 600 animals found homes – including 514 cats and 86 dogs. The year before, 367 animals were adopted at the Pictou location. That’s the power of a new beginning. More space. More support. More opportunity.
Behind the scenes, the Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital was buzzing from day one. Roughly 1,661 shelter pets have been cared for there – everything from surgeries to routine checkups – plus another 1,228 patients from the community. Public appointments fill the afternoons and evenings four days a week, with surgeries happening twice weekly. It’s a busy place with an even busier heart.
And then there’s the thrift store – our mighty social enterprise. With 97,665 items sold and $358,333 in revenue, it’s proof that second-hand treasures can create first-class impact. Over 33,000 transactions later, the community continues to walk through those doors with generosity and purpose.
Today, North Nova has increased their staff, including 18 dedicated volunteers supporting the shelter and thrift store combined. And every one of them shares that same spark I witnessed on my very first day.
Rebecca MacDonald, the Shelter and Thrift Store Manager at North Nova, is the kind of leader who lifts everyone around her. Known for her warmth, positivity, and genuine care for people and pets, Rebecca is one of the many bright, welcoming faces you see when you walk through the doors – a cheerful spark who brings warmth to every corner of the building. She proudly reflects on how much the team has grown together, and how meaningful the journey has been for everyone involved.
“I’m thrilled to hear the level of appreciation in the feedback surrounding all that we provide here at North Nova,” Rebecca said. “What’s truly stood out for me is how quickly the community has become active in all the shelter and clinic has to offer. It’s been amazing to see the conversations spark creativity and help our team accomplish great things. I am grateful for the warm embrace from members of our community, young and beyond. I am grateful to our donors and supporters from across the province. I am grateful for the daily meaningful interactions with our clients and customers.”
Rebecca closed with a line that says it all: “I have found my personal dream job.”
And honestly, many of us here feel the same. 
Those first few weeks last year showed me the organization from the inside out – the pressure, the pride, the compassion, the teamwork, the sheer determination to get everything right. And it also showed me the magic of what happens when a community believes in something bigger than itself.
I didn’t start my job the typical way.
I started it the best way.
So, if you ever get the chance, come visit all of us at 15 Heritage Avenue in Stellarton. See the space, meet the team, and witness the impact firsthand. Because if this is what we’ve achieved so far… just imagine what’s next for the Nova Scotia SPCA.
