SPCA says changes to legislation are a good step forward
The Saskatoon SPCA’S animal protection officers were busy in 2017, investigating 774 cases and seizing 157 animals.
Executive director Patricia Cameron says the organization’s officers — two full time and one par time — were busy even before the province proclaimed its new Animal Protection Act in September, but their response time to complaints is good. Officers executed nine search warrants and one case was referred to the Crown for prosecution.
The local SPCA is funded by donations and a grant from the City of Saskatoon. It gets no provincial money for its animal protection services.
The province only funds Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan, whose officers serve all areas outside Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert.
When asked if the Saskatoon SPCA would like the province to fund urban animal protection services, Cameron said: “It certainly would seem appropriate,” since they enforce provincial legislation.
In response to a query from the Starphoenix, the Ministry of Agriculture provided a statement saying it’s focused on a consistent response and training across animal protection agencies.
“In larger centres, the humane societies may provide some bylaw enforcement, pound keeping, etc. that comes with some city support. Fundraising is also done to provide additional resources for holding, treating and re-homing animals. In rural communities and small towns, there are limited resources for response, so APSS covers those areas, and the ministry provides funding for animal protection,” the statement read.
Cameron said the changes to provincial animal protection legislation are a “good step forward.”
The SPCA’S officers have found it frustrating when places such as groomers and rescues refuse to let them conduct searches.
The new act gives animal protection officers expanded search powers, which allows them to inspect places like boarding kennels, rescues, shelters and groomers without warrants. It also incorporates animal protection orders into law and makes them legally enforceable.
Cameron said the SPCA could use three additional full-time agents.
“It can get overwhelming,” she said of the existing caseload.
In the last month since the legislation came into effect, the number of calls hasn’t increased, but the protection officers responded to three individual incidents of animal hoarding. In one situation, they found 40 cats in a home. Some were seized; others were found dead.
Hoarding and abandonment are growing problems, she said. In hoarding situations, cats especially can be harmed by high ammonia levels and lack of feeding that result from numerous animals living in a confined space.
Saskatoon’s population of homeless cats has increased by about 20 per cent, Cameron added. The SPCA will soon launch an event to find homes for the large population of cats in its care. Cases tend to spike in hot and cold weather.
“We’re very busy. We would like to see the Animal Protection Act be properly resourced,” said Cameron.