The Saskatoon SPCA will cease investigating allegations of animal abuse or neglect this spring, Global News has learned.
It’s a matter of funding, said Graham Dickson, executive director of the agency.
“To my knowledge, the Saskatoon SPCA and the Regina Humane Society are the only law enforcement agencies in Saskatchewan funded through donation,” Dickson said in a statement Monday.
“The Saskatoon SPCA can no longer take on this work without adequate funding and will cease providing protective services as of April 1, 2022.”
The decision resulted from a Saskatoon SPCA board meeting held last week.
Dickson said they requested provincial funding to continue enforcing the province’s Animal Protection Act (APA), but that request was denied.
The request was for roughly $600,000, according to Dickson.
Two animal protection officers have been providing the service to the Saskatoon SPCA for close to 40 years without funding from the Saskatchewan government.
Dickson added that Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan has received $2.8 million from the province in the last three years to enforce the APA outside of Regina and Saskatoon.
The APSS responded to 744 complaints during 2021, according to Dickson.
It is not clear at this time who will provide animal protection services in Saskatoon come April.
“We will work with the government to support the transition and advocate for the enforcement of the Animal Protection Act in Saskatoon,” Dickson said.
“Animal abusers must be held accountable.”
In a statement, Ministry of Agriculture spokesperson Jamie Shanks said the ministry learned about the SPCA board’s decision on Monday.
“Animal welfare remains a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan and the Ministry is exploring other models of animal welfare enforcement in Saskatchewan,” Shanks said.
He said discussions are ongoing between the ministry and City of Saskatoon regarding animal welfare.
“We are currently exploring alternative enforcement models for an equitable, consistent, and affordable service across the province,” Shanks said.
Dickson said the SPCA will continue to run the city’s only animal shelter and pound, and carry out adoption services.
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