British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | BC SPCA |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1896 |
| Type | Charitable organization |
| Registration no. | 118819036RR0001 |
| Focus | Animal welfare, education and enforcement |
| Headquarters | 1245 East 7th Avenue Vancouver, B.C. V5T 1R1 |
| Location |
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Area served
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British Columbia, Canada |
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Key people
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Craig Daniell (CEO) |
| Subsidiaries | BC Pet Registry |
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Revenue (2016)
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CA$35,114,749 |
| Expenses (2016) | CA$33,183,436 |
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Staff (2017)
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551 |
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Volunteers (2017)
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Approx. 5500 |
The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is a special group that helps animals. It is a non-profit organization, which means it doesn't try to make money. Instead, it works to protect animals and make sure they are treated well.
The BC SPCA helps animals all over British Columbia, Canada. They run animal shelters and teach people about how to care for pets. They also work to create laws that protect animals. The organization started in 1896. It is one of the biggest animal welfare groups in North America. In 2017, the BC SPCA had many locations. They had over 500 staff members and almost 5,500 volunteers. They also ran 5 animal hospitals and a special centre for wild animals. Each year, they helped more than 22,000 animals. The BC SPCA even checks on animals used in movies to make sure they are safe.
Contents
How the BC SPCA Started
The BC SPCA began because of a special law. In 1895, the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was passed. This law allowed the BC SPCA to be created. It gave them the power to look into cases where animals were being hurt. They could also rescue animals that were in danger.
The BC SPCA officially started its work in 1896. Their first meeting was held in New Westminster. By 1901, the group had grown a lot. They had more than 10 offices in different cities across British Columbia. At first, their main goals were to teach people about animal care. They also worked to stop practices that caused animals to suffer. It wasn't until 1955 that the BC SPCA opened its first animal shelter in Vancouver.
What the BC SPCA Does
The BC SPCA is the only animal welfare group in British Columbia that can enforce animal cruelty laws. They have a special team called the Cruelty Investigations Department. This team looks into reports of animals being harmed. If an animal is in danger, they rescue it. If needed, they work with the police and courts. They can suggest that people who hurt animals face legal action. People found guilty might not be allowed to own animals again. They could also face fines or other consequences.
For example, in 2016, the BC SPCA rescued 66 animals from a puppy mill in Langley. A puppy mill is a place where many dogs are kept in bad conditions. They are often forced to have puppies over and over. This was one of the largest animal rescues in the province's history.
Helping Animals with Medical Care
The BC SPCA also gives medical care to animals. They have five veterinary clinics. Three of these are full hospitals for animals. Two others are special clinics that help reduce the number of homeless pets. These clinics perform spay and neuter surgeries. This helps prevent too many animals from being born without homes.
The society also has other places to help animals. These include new types of animal shelters called community animal centres. They also have smaller centres where people can adopt cats and small animals. These places also offer educational programs for young people. Many BC SPCA locations offer emergency help for injured pets. They can also provide short-term care for pets whose owners are going through a difficult time. As mentioned, they also watch over animals used in movies to ensure their safety.
How the BC SPCA Gets Money
The BC SPCA is a charitable society. This means they don't make a profit. They mostly get their money from donations from the public. They also receive some money from the government.
The BC SPCA website says they spend about $2.5 million each year on investigating animal cruelty. They do not get any government money for this important work. So, they rely completely on donations from people like you.
Every September, the BC SPCA holds special events called Paws for a Cause walks. These walks happen all over British Columbia. They are a fun way for people to help raise money for the animals.
