SPCA of Tompkins County

What SPCA of Tompkins County does

SPCA of Tompkins County is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization founded in 1902 and headquartered in Ithaca, New York, operating out of the LEED-certified Dorothy & Roy Park Pet Adoption Center at 1640 Hanshaw Road. Since 2001 it has functioned as the nation's first open-admission, adoption-guarantee (no-kill) shelter, accepting all animals regardless of age, health, or behavior. The organization serves approximately 1,300 animals per year through a portfolio that includes pet adoption services, a high-volume low-cost spay/neuter clinic (2,000+ public surgeries annually serving Tompkins County and up to 18 surrounding counties), municipal animal-control contracts with seven local jurisdictions (Caroline, City of Ithaca, Danby, Enfield, Newfield, Town of Ithaca, and Ulysses), foster placement, lost-and-found reunification, free rabies clinics, humane education, and a community pet food pantry. Operations are run by roughly 40 paid staff supported by more than 250 annual volunteers, with veterinarians and shelter-medicine expertise accessed through Cornell University-affiliated partners (Maddie's Shelter Medical Program, Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine) and in-kind donations from Hills Pet Nutrition and Bissell.

The business model blends mixed revenue streams typical of an open-admission shelter: charitable donations (the primary funding source) from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors led by Beginnings Credit Union (since 2012); modest one-time adoption fees scaling by age/species (name-your-own-fee for senior cats up to $300-$400+ for puppies, plus $10-$15 municipal dog license fees); a $40-per-pet surrender fee (waivable for hardship); professional-service fees from the public spay/neuter clinic; and government-contract revenue from seven municipal animal-control jurisdictions. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the physical adoption center, supplemented by an offsite-events channel, social-media-driven adoption marketing (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pet Finder), referral programs (Amazon Smile, Bissell Partners for Pets), and donation funnels (online gifts, memorial tiles, planned giving via the Barbara M. Hall Planned Giving Society). Adoption fees are presented publicly and vary with promotional specials.

Technology footprint is operational rather than digital: a LEED-certified physical plant with advanced ventilation to reduce disease transmission and dedicated spaces for medical care, training, and behavior support, plus standard web/social channels. No proprietary software platform, mobile app, public API, AI/ML capability, or developer integrations are evidenced; the organization's data capability is principally embedded in its Maddie's Fund partnership for data-driven shelter metrics and its self-reported 1999-onward statistics program.

Name

SPCA of Tompkins County

Legal name

SPCA of Tompkins County

Website

https://spcaonline.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1902

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SPCA of Tompkins County is a 501(c)(3) no-kill animal shelter in Ithaca, NY, founded 1902, serving roughly 1,300 animals annually through adoption, spay/neuter, and municipal animal-control services across seven local jurisdictions and up to 18 surrounding counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291), Veterinary Services (541940)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spay/Neuter & Population Control Programs (BPAGAIAE), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB)

Keywords

• Animal welfare services
• Pet adoption
• Spay and neuter
• Municipal animal control
• Humane education

Headquarters

HQ city

Ithaca

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: Private funding from individuals, foundations, and businesses - the main source of funding for the organization as a 501c3 nonprofit
2. Adoption Fees: Fees collected for animal adoptions ranging from name-your-own-fee for senior cats to $400 for puppies
3. Surrender Fees: $40 surrender fee per pet surrendered to the shelter
4. Municipal Animal Control Contracts: Government contracts providing municipal dog control services to seven local jurisdictions in Tompkins County
5. Spay/Neuter Clinic Fees: Low-cost spay and neuter surgeries performed for qualified NYS residents, with over 2,000 public surgeries annually

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The SPCA of Tompkins County operates a no-kill, open-admission animal shelter out of the LEED-certified Dorothy & Roy Park Pet Adoption Center in Ithaca, NY. Its core offerings include pet adoption services, a high-volume low-cost public spay/neuter clinic performing over 2,000 surgeries annually, and Tompkins County Animal Control services delivered under contract to seven local municipalities. Supporting programs include foster care, lost and found reunification, veterinary care assistance, free rabies clinics, humane education, and pet surrender services.

Product overview

The SPCA of Tompkins County operates as a comprehensive animal welfare organization offering a portfolio of integrated services centered around its Dorothy & Roy Park Pet Adoption Center (a LEED-certified facility). Core offerings include pet adoption services, the Public Spay & Neuter Clinic (performing over 2,000 surgeries annually), and Tompkins County Animal Control (TCAC) providing municipal services to seven jurisdictions. Supporting services encompass foster care programs, lost and found animal reunification, veterinary care assistance, free rabies clinics, humane education, and volunteer engagement. The organization operates as a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill shelter that has been open-admission and adoption-guarantee since 2001, caring for approximately 1,300 animals annually with a team of ~40 staff and 250+ volunteers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pet Adoption Services Connects prospective adopters with available dogs, cats, and other companion animals. The adoption process includes application review, meet-and-greet sessions, and pre-adoption veterinary care such as vaccinations, spay/neuter, and microchipping. Targeted at individual pet owners in the Tompkins County region.
• Public Spay & Neuter Clinic A high-volume, low-cost spay and neuter clinic offered weekly (typically Tuesdays plus some weekends) to qualified NYS residents and pet owners in surrounding counties. Performs more than 2,000 public surgeries annually, serving Tompkins County and up to 18 surrounding counties.
• Tompkins County Animal Control (TCAC) Municipal animal control services including 24/7 emergency stray dog response, dog licensure enforcement, stray animal pickup, cruelty investigation, and Trap-Neuter-Return programs for feral cats, provided under contract to seven local jurisdictions in Tompkins County.
• Foster Care Program Temporary foster placement program for underage kittens and puppies, nursing mothers, animals recovering from illness or injury, and pets needing behavioral support. The SPCA provides supplies, food, veterinary care, and training while foster families provide a safe home environment.
• Pet Surrender Services Controlled intake process for owners who can no longer keep their pets, including scheduled appointments, intake examinations, required surrender profiles, and a $40 surrender fee per pet. Special programs exist for underage kittens and puppies requiring foster placement.
• Lost and Found Animals Reunification services for lost pets and assistance for found strays. Includes reporting mechanisms via phone and email, intake scheduling, and coordination with Animal Control and community resources like the Tompkins County Lost and Found Pets Facebook group.
• Veterinary Care Assistance Emergency and affordable veterinary care support for pet owners facing financial challenges. The program may provide medical or surgical assistance and connects families with other organizations offering financial aid or low-cost services.
• Free Rabies Clinics Free rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets, held in conjunction with the Tompkins County Health Department in Winter, Spring, and Fall across multiple municipalities in Tompkins County.
• Humane Education and Youth Programs Educational outreach programs for local schools, libraries, scout troops, and community organizations designed to inspire compassion and understanding through the SPCA's mission, programs, and services.
• Training and Socialization Classes Training and socialization classes for shelter animals and community pets to support adoption success and responsible pet ownership. Currently temporarily suspended with no estimated return date.
• Community Support Programs Outreach initiatives including mobile vaccines and basic veterinary care to underserved populations, weekly pet food and supply pantry, and temporary pet housing for owners experiencing crisis situations to prevent permanent surrender.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 1,300 animals cared for annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered featured partner and additional partner.

• Maddie's Fundfeatured partnerOthersNational organization focused on companion animal welfare that provides funding and resources to animal shelters. Partners with SPCA for shelter medical program and data-driven shelter metrics.
• Cornell Feline Health Centerfeatured partnerOthersCornell University center focused on feline health research and education, providing expertise and resources for cat care.
• Maddie's Shelter Medical Programfeatured partnerTechnology or IntegrationShelter medicine program at Cornell University providing medical expertise and resources for shelter animals.
• Shelter Outreach Services (SOS)featured partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for spay/neuter programs, offering several programs for the spaying and neutering of cats and dogs in conjunction with the SPCA's low-cost clinic.
• Hills Pet Nutritionfeatured partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPet food manufacturer providing generous donations of dry food to the shelter, helping reduce operational costs.
• Bissellfeatured partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPet product company participating in Bissell's Partners for Pets program, donating a percentage of vacuum purchases to animal shelters.
• Lost Pet USAfeatured partnerOthersLost pet resource and reunification service partner.
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicineadditional partnerOthersAcademic partner providing veterinary expertise and collaboration on animal welfare initiatives.
• Colonial Veterinary Hospital / VCA Colonialadditional partnerOthersLocal veterinary hospital supporting shelter operations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SPCA of Erie County: Regional SPCA serving Erie County, NY with similar shelter, adoption, spay/neuter, and animal control services. Closest functional peer given overlapping upstate NY geography, nonprofit structure, and municipal contract model.
• Humane Society of Rochester and Monroe County (aka Happy Tails): Large upstate NY animal welfare nonprofit offering adoption, spay/neuter, and cruelty prevention services. Comparable scope and funding model with overlapping upstate New York donor base.
• Finger Lakes SPCA (Schuyler County / Chemung County): Regional SPCA adjacent to Tompkins County offering shelter, adoption, and low-cost spay/neuter services. Directly comparable in scale, geographic positioning, and service mix within the Finger Lakes region.
• Shelter Outreach Services (SOS): Spay/neuter program partner organization listed as a strategic co-development partner of SPCA of Tompkins County. Directly comparable high-volume, low-cost sterilization services for community animal welfare.

Broad incumbents

• ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): National animal welfare organization with broader geographic reach, advocacy, and grant-making programs. Comparable mission and operating model, but operates at national scale with significantly larger resources and influence.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): Largest U.S. animal welfare organization focused on advocacy, policy, and grantmaking rather than direct shelter operations. Provides funding and national-level guidance to local SPCAs including potential partners of Tompkins County.
• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill advocacy and operations organization that partners with local shelters to advance adoption-guarantee models. Comparable mission and funding model; operates sanctuaries and a national network rather than a single shelter.

Others

• Maddie's Fund: National family foundation funding shelter medicine, data-driven shelter metrics, and no-kill transitions. Listed as a featured partner of SPCA of Tompkins County and a key funder for shelter medical programs.
• Petco Love (formerly Petco Foundation): National nonprofit that grants funds to shelter and welfare organizations for adoption and lifesaving programs. Provides comparable funding/grant support infrastructure to local SPCAs.

Emerging players

• Humane Society of Charlotte / Asheville Humane Society: Mid-sized regional humane societies with adoption, spay/neuter, and community support programs at similar scale to SPCA of Tompkins County. Comparable operating model outside New York.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SPCAofTC
• Facebookfacebook.com/spcaoftompkinscounty
• Instagraminstagram.com/spcaoftompkinscounty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tompkins-county-spca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SPCA of Tompkins County