The BC SPCA is expressing concern for the welfare of animals in Trail and the surrounding district after the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary announced its decision to no longer fund municipal animal services. Animal control services are a municipal responsibility and are separate from the work of the non-profit BC SPCA, which is funded entirely by donations.

“Our donor-funded SPCA services, such as animal cruelty investigations, sheltering, pet adoptions, humane education for youth and outreach services for pet guardians will continue in the area as usual, but the district has ended its animal control services, effective Feb. 9,” says Adrienne McBride, senior director of community animal centres for the BC SPCA. “This leave a major gap in services for the care of stray animals, responding to dangerous dogs and other key animal control functions that fall under the municipality’s responsibility.” The district had previously contracted out this work to the BC SPCA but announced that it will no longer be funding this work by any contractor moving forward.

“It is extremely regrettable that this gap in animal services will now exist,” says McBride. “We’re concerned that there will be significant consequences for stray animals who will now be at risk without care or housing, for dangerous dogs running at large and for residents who will have nowhere to turn for help with barking dogs and other issues in their community. We urge the municipality to uphold their responsibility to provide these animal services, however they choose to carry them out.”

McBride says questions or concerns should be directed to the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary at 250-368-9148