New plan to protect animals

Photo: Contributed

The BC SPCA has launched a new plan to help protect animals throughout the province.

The four-pillar strategic plan for 2019-23 will take animal welfare in B.C. to a new level.

The non-profit animal welfare organization, which helped nearly 48,000 animals in need in 2018, developed the plan after a year-long consultation with key stakeholders to determine the most urgent animal issues facing B.C. communities.

“We have just completed a very ambitious and successful five-year strategic plan that included hundreds of initiatives to improve the lives of domestic, farm and wild animals in B.C.,” says BC SPCA chief executive officer Craig Daniell.

“One of the most significant changes we achieved between 2014 and 2018 was a dramatic decrease in the number of surplus, homeless animals in B.C. This was accomplished through intensive efforts to spay and neuter owned and unowned animals across the province, with a particular focus on addressing the cat overpopulation crisis in B.C.” 

Daniell said the reduced number of animals entering the BC SPCA’s 36 shelters means that the non-profit animal welfare society can now refocus donor contributions on other urgent animal issues.

The 2019-23 plan will focus on four pillars:

• An improved and more collaborative response to rescue animals from cruelty and abusive situations, particularly in underserved communities;
• Increased support for vulnerable pet owners who face barriers to providing good care, including spay/neuter, for their animals;
• Inspiring British Columbians with knowledge and resources to improve the lives of animals; and
• Organizational growth, including increased training to enable SPCA staff and volunteers to expand rehabilitation for animals in care.

“Last year we provided direct care for nearly 22,000 animals and we will always be that safety net for the thousands of abused, injured and homeless animals who need shelter and veterinary care,” said Daniell.

“However, with fewer homeless animals entering our shelters, we can increase our help for animals with more challenging behavioural and medical issues, who require additional attention and a higher level of expertise to rehabilitate.”