Whereas there is an immediate and ongoing concern in rural British Columbia communities regarding abused, abandoned and neglected animals, which also pose significant public health and safety concerns; And whereas the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals BC SPCA is the only animal welfare organization in BC with the authority under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to investigate complaints of animal abuse or neglect, enforce animal welfare laws and recommend criminal charges to the Crown Council; And whereas the BC SPCA does not receive any provincial funding to assist with animal protection services and is the only British Columbian entity responsible for law enforcement whose investigative responsibilities are funded by donation; And whereas there is a lack of BC SPCA representation in rural BC communities resulting in public health and safety issues and a lack of animal welfare enforcement: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government for funding to support the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for the purpose of appointing authorized agents as granted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, for representation in all rural communities to ensure public health, safety and welfare of animals.
Ministry of Agriculture and Food People in BC expect animals to be treated ethically and with compassion, and this is a priority the Ministry of Agriculture and Food the Ministry shares. As noted in Resolution EB94, the primary legislation protecting animal welfare in BC is the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act PCAA. Under the PCAA, charges may be laid against anyone responsible for an animal who causes or permits that animal to experience distress, as defined in the legislation. The Province continues to support the BC SPCA through capital funding, including a recent investment of 12 million to advance the development of facilities across British Columbia. In the past ten years, the Province also provided the BC SPCA with: - 1.46 million in funding, for 202021, towards animal care facilities during the pandemic response. - 0.08 million in Canadian Agricultural Partnership CAP funding, for 201920, to enhance BCSPCA enforcement knowledge with respect to farm animals. - 5 million in funding, for 201617, to contribute to new facilities construction. - 5 million in funding, in 201415, to fund repairs and upgrades to several facilities. While the BC SPCA is the designated organization responsible for enforcing animal welfare provisions under the PCAA, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and municipal police departments also have the authority to enforce animal welfare requirements under both the Criminal Code and the PCAA. In practice, these agencies often refer animal welfare matters to the BC SPCA due to its specialized expertise and capacity to respond effectively. In early 2024, a Deputy Ministers Advisory Committee for Farmed Animal Welfare submitted a Recommendations Report to the Ministry for consideration. The BC SPCA was represented on the Advisory Committee by a senior member of their organization. Currently, the Ministry is reviewing the Recommendations Report and is developing a project plan to address its recommendations.