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's a non-profit organization, which means it doesn't work to make money. Instead, it focuses on animal welfare, making sure animals are treated kindly.
The BC SPCA works to create laws that protect animals. They also run animal shelters and teach people about how to care for pets. You can find their programs all over British Columbia, Canada. The organization started way back in 1896. It's one of the biggest animal welfare groups in North America!
As of 2017, the BC SPCA had 36 locations and over 500 staff members. Nearly 5,500 volunteers also helped out. They ran 5 animal hospitals or clinics and a special centre for wildlife rehabilitation. In total, they helped more than 22,000 animals that year. The BC SPCA even checks on animals used in movies to make sure they are safe.
Contents
History of the BC SPCA
The BC SPCA officially started because of a law passed in British Columbia in 1895. This law allowed the BC SPCA to look into cases where animals were being treated badly. It also gave them the power to rescue animals that were in trouble.
The group began its work in 1896. Their very first meeting was held in New Westminster. By 1901, the BC SPCA had grown to more than 10 branches across different cities in British Columbia. Besides helping to enforce animal protection laws, their main goals were to teach people and stop practices that caused animals to suffer. The BC SPCA opened its first animal shelter in Vancouver in 1955.
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 animals are found to be in danger, the team rescues them. They also work with legal authorities to make sure people who harm animals are held responsible. The courts can decide what happens to people who are found guilty.
For example, in February 2016, the BC SPCA rescued 66 animals from a place in Langley. This was one of the largest animal rescues in the province's history.
Animal Care and Adoption
The BC SPCA provides medical care for animals through five veterinary places. These include three full-service animal hospitals. They also have two clinics that help control pet overpopulation.
The society runs other places too, like community animal centres. These are new types of animal shelters. They also have education and adoption centres where young people can learn about animals. These centres also help cats and small animals find new homes. Many of these locations offer emergency help for injured pets. They can also provide short-term care for pets whose owners are going through a difficult time. The BC SPCA also makes sure animals used in the film industry are safe.
How the BC SPCA Gets Money
The BC SPCA is a non-profit group that helps others. It mostly gets its money from people who donate. They also receive some money from government grants.
According to their website, the BC SPCA spends about $2.5 million each year on investigating animal cruelty. They do not get any government money for this important work. They rely completely on donations from the public to do it.
Every September, the organization holds special walks called Paws for a Cause. These walks happen all over British Columbia and help raise money for the BC SPCA.
