In 2023, the need for BC SPCA’s services for British Columbia’s most vulnerable animals continued to rise. “We saw increases across the board, from the number of meals we distributed through our pet food banks to the number of animals that came into our care,” says Adrienne McBride, BC SPCA’s senior director, community animal centres. In total, 135,761 animals were helped through direct care or community outreach programs, a 14 per cent increase from 2022.
One of the biggest increases was in the number of animals brought into the BC SPCA’s care through animal cruelty and neglect investigations. The BC SPCA saw a close to 20 per cent increase compared to 2022’s numbers with animal protection officers assisting 41,715 animals in 350 communities across B.C. “Part of the uptick in these numbers can be attributed to irresponsible breeders who started during the pandemic when there was a high demand for puppies,” says Eileen Drever, senior officer protection and stakeholder relations for the BC SPCA. “As demand and the ability to make money has decreased, they’ve surrendered their dogs and puppies or, in some cases, even had their animals seized by animal protection officers when they would not provide them with the care they needed.”
In 2023 the BC SPCA’s animal protection officers executed 125 warrants under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and submitted charges to Crown Counsel against 44 individuals.
“As the cost of living continues to impact pet guardians, we saw an increase in the need for support this year to help them care for their animals,” says Diane Waters, an outreach specialist with the BC SPCA. In 2022, the BC SPCA provided 633,502 meals through their community animal centres and 134 community partners. In 2023 that number rose to 717,621 an increase of 14 per cent year over year. “That need is expected to continue to rise in 2024.”
Another area where the BC SPCA saw an increase in the services provided by the organization was in the number of animals that received veterinary services through the BC SPCA’s hospitals. “Despite an ongoing shortage of veterinarians in B.C., meaning access to veterinary care is getting increasingly more challenging, there was a 10 per cent increase in the number of animals that received veterinary care through our hospitals. We treated 1,736 more animals in 2023 than the previous year,” says Teresa McKernan, senior director, veterinary services for the BC SPCA.
The number of hours BC SPCA volunteers dedicate to the organization is a critical factor in the BC SPCA’s ability to support so many vulnerable animals. “The BC SPCA is so thankful for our incredible volunteers who share their talents with us. From the volunteers who serve on our Board of Directors to those who help to care for animals in our centres and through our outreach programs, they are a vital part of our team. We simply could not do the work we do without them,” says Lindsay Baker, the BC SPCA’s senior manager, volunteer resources. In 2023, 3,369 BC SPCA volunteers provided 217,467 hours of service, an increase of 18,675 hours over 2022.
“The BC SPCA does not receive government funding for any of the services we provide to B.C.’s most vulnerable animals,” says McBride. “We can’t thank our generous and kind supporters enough. They make this important and life-changing work for animals possible.”