Watch above: The Saskatchewan SPCA is stepping out of the enforcement role when it comes to animal protection in 2015. Aaron Streck finds out what the change means for animal lovers in rural areas of the province and what the government intends to do to fill the void.
SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan SPCA is stepping out of the enforcement role when it comes to animal protection in 2015. Enforcement of The Animal Protection Act in rural areas of the province will no longer be handled by the organization after March and it is setting it’s sights on other initiatives.
“The Saskatchewan SPCA is a charitable organization and we felt that we’re not the appropriate body to be enforcing the legislation,” said Constance Roussel, Saskatchewan SPCA board of directors president.
Over the last four decades, the SPCA has been enforcing the animal protection act in rural areas of the province. Come March 31, it’s contract with the provincial ministry of agriculture expires and won’t be renewed.
“We’re surprised and a little disappointed but we respect their right to do so, it’s a board decision and they’ve taken it, we wish them well,” said Lyle Stewart, Saskatchewan’s agriculture minister.
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After extensive discussions the Saskatchewan SPCA will shift it’s focus to programs and services related to animal welfare education and awareness.
“One of them is programs for school for the children,” said Roussel.
“We’re also looking at resources for people and animals in situations or inter-spousal violence, some crisis funding for livestock producers as well as one of the programs we’re pretty excited about is we’re looking at creating a program for police dogs that are retired.”
In 2013, the SPCA received 735 complaints. The agency’s decision leaves a hole, one the provincial government is now exploring, hoping to fill that void with a new partner.
“I understand there are a number of possibilities, I don’t want to list them but come to an agreement with one and then make an announcement when that time comes but certainly the Ministry has been active in trying to find the right agency to provide that service,” said Stewart.
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The Saskatchewan SPCA notified the government of it’s decision in November.
“The funding that was received by government was $530,000 a year for the contract and that funding ends was explicitly for animal services, for investigative services. The funding that we receive for the Saskatchewan SPCA is fundraised money as well as donations and membership,” said Roussel.
RCMP and municipal police do have the authority to enforce the act. Still, the Saskatoon SPCA believes if there’s nothing in place by the end of March that all animal welfare agencies across the province will feel the pinch.
Come the end of March, the SPCA’s six investigative services employees in the province will be displaced.
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