British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is a non-profit animal welfare organization which advocates for animal protection legislation, operates animal shelters, and runs educational workshops and public awareness programs throughout British Columbia, Canada.[3][4] Founded in 1896, it is a registered charitable organization and one of the largest such animal welfare organizations in North America. As of 2017, BC SPCA had 36 branches, over 500 staff members, nearly 5500 volunteers, operated 5 veterinary hospitals/clinics and a wildlife rehabilitation centre, and sheltered more than 22000 animals.[5][6] It is also one of the few animal welfare organizations to monitor animals in film.

The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
AbbreviationBC SPCA
Founded1896 (1896)
TypeCharitable organization
Registration no.118819036RR0001[1]
FocusAnimal welfare, education and enforcement
Headquarters1245 East 7th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C. V5T 1R1
Location
  • 42 Shelters
    • 5 Animal hospitals/clinics
    • Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Area served
British Columbia, Canada
Key people
Craig Daniell (CEO)[2]
SubsidiariesBC Pet Registry
Revenue (2016)
CA$35,114,749
Expenses (2016)CA$33,183,436
Staff (2017)
551
Volunteers (2017)
Approx. 5500
Websitespca.bc.ca

History

In 1895, the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was enacted in British Columbia, bringing the BC SPCA into existence.[7] The act authorized the establishment of the BC SPCA to investigate offences involving cruelty to animals and to take action to rescue captive animals in distress. BC SPCA formally began operating in 1896 and its first meeting was held at New Westminster. By 1901, the organization had more than 10 branches spread across various cities of British Columbia. Beyond law enforcement, the society's primary aims were to educate the public and advocate for an end to practices causing suffering for animals. This was the business of the BC SPCA until it elected to open its first animal shelter in 1955 in Vancouver.

Activities

Being the only animal welfare organization in British Columbia that is authorized to enforce animal cruelty laws, BC SPCA operates a Cruelty Investigations Department[8] that investigates reports of cruelty towards animals, rescues animals if they are found to be subject to distress, and if required, initiates legal proceedings against perpetrators of acts of cruelty by making recommendations to Crown Council to prosecute. Punishments handed out by the court to persons found guilty in such cases range from revoking permission to own animals to fines and imprisonment. In February 2016, the BC SPCA seized 66 animals from a puppy mill in Langley, one of the largest seizures in the province's history.[9][10][11]

BC SPCA provides medical care to animals through five veterinary practices, including three full-service veterinary hospitals and two spay/neuter clinics launched to reduce pet overpopulation. The society operates a range other facilities including community animal centres (a new model of animal shelter) and store-front education and adoption centres which offer youth education programming and adoptions of cats and small animals. Many of these locations extend their emergency services to injured pets, and may also provide short-term care for pets whose owners are in a crisis situation. Also, it monitors the use of animals in the film industry.

Funding

BC SPCA is a not-for-profit charitable society and relies largely on donations from the public and government grants for its funding.

According to its website, BC SPCA spends approximately $2.5 million per year on animal cruelty investigations,[12] an activity for which it does not receive any government funding and relies solely on public donations.

Every September, the organizations conducts Paws for a Cause walks throughout British Columbia for fundraising.[13]

References
  1. "Canadian Registered Charities — BRITISH COLUMBIA SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS". Canada Revenue Agency.
  2. "About us | BC SPCA". BC SPCA. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  3. "CTV Vancouver News - BC SPCA". CTV News. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  4. "Schedule 6: Detailed financial information — BRITISH COLUMBIA SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS". Charities Register. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  5. "Stats at a glance". BC SPCA. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  6. "British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals". Vancouver Foundation. 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
  7. Lands, Ministry of Agriculture and (2008-03-06). "SPCA AMENDMENTS FURTHER PROTECT ANIMALS". archive.news.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
  8. "Cruelty investigations | BC SPCA". BC SPCA. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
  9. "66 dogs seized in one of the largest puppy mill busts in B.C. history, SPCA says". CBC News. 9 February 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  10. "Massive Puppy Mill Busted In B.C." The Huffington Post. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  11. "BC SPCA seizes 66 injured, malnourished dogs from Langley puppy mill". NEWS 1130. 9 February 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  12. "Cruelty investigations | BC SPCA". BC SPCA. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  13. "BC SPCA 'Paws for a Cause' Walk to Fight Animal Cruelty". BC SPCA. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
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