The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society (Ontario SPCA) is a registered Canadian charity focused on animal protection and animal

advocacy Advocacy is an Action (philosophy), activity by an individual or advocacy group, group that aims to influence decision making, decisions within political, economic, and social institutions. Advocacy includes activities and publications to infl ...

. The Ontario SPCA provides services in partnership with communities including provincial animal transfer
iAdopt
and community-based animal wellness services. In the spring of 2009, the Ontario SPCA introduced the model of high-volume spay/neuter to the

Province of Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Cana ...

as the humane response to pet over-population. By the spring of 2019, Ontario SPCA spay/neuter services curbed the over-population by an estimated 5.3 million pets. The Ontario SPCA follows an Open Admission For Life philosophy.

History

The Ontario SPCA was founded as a charity in 1873 to prevent cruelty to animals. In 1919, the Ontario SPCA incorporated as a non-profit in

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

and, in addition to fulfilling its charitable mission, accepted the role of enforcing provincial animal welfare legislation on behalf of the

Government of Ontario The government of Ontario (french: Gouvernement de l'Ontario) is the body responsible for the administration of the Canadian province of Ontario. A constitutional monarchy, the Crown—represented in the province by the lieutenant governor� ...

Legislation

From 1919 to 2013, no operational funding was provided by the province to enforce their provincial

animal welfare Animal welfare is the well-being of non-human animals. Formal standards of animal welfare vary between contexts, but are debated mostly by animal welfare groups, legislators, and academics. Animal welfare science uses measures such as longevity ...

legislation. In 2013, the first operational funding of $5.5 million per year was provided for province-wide service. In 2017, the amount was increased to $5.75 million annually.

Responsibilities

In January 2019, an

Ontario Superior Court The Superior Court of Justice (French: ''Cour supérieure de justice'') is a superior court in Ontario. The Court sits in 52 locations across the province, including 17 Family Court locations, and consists of over 300 federally appointed judges. ...

Judge ruled that it is unconstitutional for the

to enact legislation that permits a private charity to have policing powers without government oversight. The decision was suspended for one year to allow the Ontario Government to transition to a new service delivery model. The Ontario SPCA was not a party to the suit. In February 2019, the

announced its decision to appeal the ruling. March 2019, the Ontario SPCA initiated the transfer of enforcement services back to the province and offered a new operational model where the Ontario SPCA will provide animal-related support services to enforcement agencies. In addition, the Ontario SPCA offered a three-month transition phase of continued service to assist the Government of Ontario as they transition to a new enforcement model. The Ontario SPCA will complete their role in enforcing provincial animal welfare legislation for the province in June 2019. The decision to return the responsibility of legislation enforcement back to the government was made largely in light of the court's ruling and also in light of heightened safety concerns for Ontario SPCA Officers and concerns with current laws, such as breed specific legislation, conflicting with the mission of the charity

References

External links

* {{Authority control 1873 establishments in Ontario Animal charities based in Canada Whitchurch-Stouffville Organizations based in Ontario Animal welfare organizations based in Canada