BC SPCA and Humane Canada work together
The BC SPCA is a member of Humane Canada, the largest animal welfare organization in Canada. Humane Canada is the national voice of more than 50 humane societies and SPCAs on animal welfare issues.
BC SPCA staff actively participate in the governance and leadership of Humane Canada by advancing welfare issues, including:
- National strategies to reduce cat overpopulation
- Higher standards for the welfare of animals in shelters
- Protecting farm animals
- Supporting tougher federal cruelty legislation
Canadian Animal Policy Symposium
On March 1, 2019, the BC SPCA hosts its first Canadian Animal Policy Symposium in Victoria, B.C. This event brings together policymakers and policy students from across Canada to discuss the development of evidence-based, innovative provincial policies that impact animal well-being.
Learn more about the Canadian Animal Policy Symposium.
Speaking for farm animals
On behalf of Humane Canada, the BC SPCA recruits and manages the animal welfare and cruelty experts who participate in negotiations to improve federal Codes of Practice for the welfare of farm animals. The Codes are considered ‘generally accepted practices‘ for farm animal care. Explained differently, they represent the minimum animal care requirements for animals raised on farms. There are Codes for beef and dairy cattle, veal calves, laying hens, meat chickens, turkeys, meat rabbits, pigs, mink, foxes, sheep, horses, goats, farmed deer and bison.
The BC SPCA also serves on the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) Committee on Organic Agriculture. As a member of the CGSB committee, the BC SPCA presses for improved animal welfare requirements in the Canadian Organic Standards, which lay out generally accepted practices for farm animal care on certified organic farms.
Help for animals in research
The BC SPCA works closely with the Animals in Science Policy Institute, a national advocacy organization, to promote alternatives to animal use. BC SPCA staff also serve on the board and national committees of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), and give input into assessments of institutions using animals.
The CCAC is a national organization that sets welfare standards for animals used in laboratories for product testing and scientific research.
Cruelty case law database
To aid prosecutors, the BC SPCA and Humane Canada initiated the creation of the National Centre for the Prosecution of Animal Cruelty (NCPAC).
The Centre’s database of animal cruelty case law helps increase convictions of animal abusers from B.C. to Newfoundland.
More cruelty convictions
Better training results in more cruelty convictions.
The BC SPCA plays a lead role in training crown prosecutors, police, judges and other cruelty officers through the National Centre for the Prosecution of Animal Cruelty training conferences coordinated by Humane Canada.
National breeder and kennel animal care standards
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association creates welfare standards for dog kennels, catteries and small animal breeders (in development).
BC SPCA animal welfare experts, participate in the creation and updates of these national codes.
