NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO SPCA
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The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society has offered the Ontario Government a new operational model where it supplies animal-related expertise to the Ontario Government as a support service to enforcement agencies, similar to the ASPCA model in the United States.
In early March 2019, the Ontario SPCA informed government it will no longer enforce animal welfare legislation in the Province of Ontario once the present contract expires on March 31, 2019.
The Ontario SPCA offered a three-month transition phase of the current working arrangement to June 2019. Today, the Government of Ontario confirmed that it accepts the offer of assistance and the Ontario SPCA will continue current service until June 28, 2019.
“Enforcement is the responsibility of government, one that we can confidently support by offering animal protection services to enforcement agencies. As the transition period concludes, we look forward to our continued focus on the many programs we provide on behalf of animal well-being, including spay/neuter services, animal wellness clinics and our provincial animal transfer program,” says Kate MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario SPCA.
“Most of all, we look forward to working alongside communities and animal advocates to identify the needs of animals and work together to fill these gaps,” says MacDonald.
The Ontario SPCA is one of the largest, most responsive animal organizations in the country, with 146 years of expertise in providing care and shelter for tens of thousands of animals every year in over 40 communities. The Ontario SPCA prevents cruelty to animals and promotes animal advocacy providing humane education, sheltering, fostering and adoptions, crisis intervention, animal rescue and mobile veterinary services.
The Ontario SPCA will also draft its recommendations for a new Ontario Animal Protection Act. These recommendations will assist the government in proclaiming legislation that will provide the maximum protection of animals. This work will recommend that Ontario create stronger regulations, establishing animals as sentient beings with their well-being, health and treatment protected under the law.
The Ontario SPCA remains Ontario’s Animal Charity, a role it has fulfilled since 1873. As the Society moves forward, it will continue to be proactive with programs and support whenever animals are in need.
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