Bottom left: Horses come into the BC SPCA’s care through cruelty investigations. Bottom middle: More than 26,000 animals a year receive emergency treatment from the BC SPCA. Main: A staff member comforts a dog in BC SPCA’s care.
Last year, the emergency services at the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) were stretched to the limit when 200 animals in severe physical and psychological distress were seized from unscrupulous breeders and puppy mills in a two-week period. They included Old English sheepdogs, wheaten terriers, and 67 Persian and short-haired exotic cats.
The animals' suffering ranged from broken limbs, missing eyes, infections and malnourishment.
But these are only a fraction of the 26,000 animals that receive emergency medical care every year, says Lorie Chortyk, general manager, community relations, BC SPCA.
Animals that arrive in such dire condition often require thousands of dollars of medical treatment and months of rehabilitation before they can be re-homed, says Ms. Chortyk. The BC SPCA raises about $3-million each year for emergency veterinary bills for abused, abandoned and injured animals.
"We keep them for however long it takes to find them a home. Animals that are surrendered to us in good condition can find homes in days; others that have medical and behavioural issues as a result of mistreatment can take up to a year," she says.
Ms. Chortyk explains that while the BC SPCA is mandated to enforce the animal cruelty laws in the province, it must raise all the associated funds, such as salaries for special constables and the cost of the investigations in addition to the veterinary costs. These are part of its total annual budget of $34-million.
"We are so grateful to donors. These animals have no one else to care for them, and they are in pain and suffering. If it were not for the generosity of people who reach out and help, we wouldn't be able to care for them and give them a second chance," she says.
While the organization's reactive services are more often in the news, the BC SPCA also has vigorous education and advocacy programs focused on reducing the root causes of animal suffering.
"We have many programs for children between 8 and 12 years of age – these are developmental years for kids when they learn about empathy and compassion," says Ms. Chortyk. "We take a holistic approach to our programming. Although it is animal focused, it encourages kids to care about the world around them and understand that their actions can make a difference. Whether it's bullying at school or mistreating animals, they have the tools to speak out when they see injustices."
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