BC SPCA CEO Craig Daniell was awarded the Frederic A. McGrand Lifetime Leadership Award at the recently held Humane Canada Summit for the Animals in Whistler, B.C. This award commemorates the legacy of Senator Frederic A. McGrand, a co-founder of Humane Canada, and a steadfast advocate for animal welfare. Daniell now joins a distinguished group of past recipients, including the late Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. Ian Duncan, and Dr. David Suzuki.
“Few have made such a profound impact on animal welfare in this province and across Canada,” said Liza Sunley, Chair of the Humane Canada Board of Directors, as she recognized Daniell’s extraordinary career prior to presenting him with the award.
Sunley added, “Craig’s support and drive for leadership at a national level has united organizations across this country, fostering a shared vision and collective strength that will really shape the future of animal welfare for generations to come.”
“This award was a complete surprise to me,” says Daniell. “To join such a world-renowned group of recipients is such an honour.”
Daniell has spent the past 24 years with the BC SPCA advancing animal welfare and impacting the lives of countless animals and the people who love them. His leadership at the BC SPCA has been marked by significant achievements including the opening of the BC SPCA’s animal hospital in Penticton, spay and neuter clinics in Prince George and Kamloops, the BC Pet Registry and pet food banks and other community services.
Under his leadership, the BC SPCA has been recognized for its groundbreaking work in farmed animal welfare, cat welfare, and the Whistler area sled dog investigation, which remains one of the largest and most complex animal protection investigations undertaken in the Society’s history.
Daniell’s unwavering commitment to effecting significant systems change and improvements for the welfare of animals has been instrumental in addressing issues like pet overpopulation and the need for responsible animal guardianship, which have become critical in the Canadian animal welfare sector.
Daniell’s career in animal welfare began in his native South Africa, where he earned a law degree and began working at a corporate law firm. Following which Daniell joined the diplomatic service, serving as a legal and policy advisor for the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pretoria. His international legal and policy experience led him to the United Nations in New York, where he worked on matters related to the law of the sea, animal protection, the Security Council, and international law. Daniell has been working with the BC SPCA since November 2002 when he first joined the team as the General Manager of Cruelty Investigations, being appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Society shortly after in April 2003.