The Saskatchewan government is looking for a new agency to investigate animal welfare cases after the Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced Jan. 5 it will not renew its contract.
The SPCA and its animal protection officers have provided the service under contract since 1972. The contract expires March 31.
President Constance Roussel said the board unanimously agreed to the move last fall.
“As a charitable organization, the Saskatchewan SPCA is not the appropriate body to be responsible for the enforcement of the legislation (Animal Protection Act),” she said.
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“We feel we can better serve the animals and the public by focusing on education and prevention of animal cruelty.”
Roussel said money was not a factor.
The province gave the organization $530,000 in the most recent budget to pay for the six staff members who work in the investigative services program.
Agriculture minister Lyle Stewart said it is up from $180,000 in 2007.
The six staff members will be out of work when the contract ends.
He said the government has or will be contacting organizations to determine interest in taking over the investigative service.
“We think that an independent agency is best for this type of work.”
Most provinces contract with an organization such as the SPCA, although the provincial government provides the service in Manitoba and shares the responsibility with an agency in the Maritimes.
karen.briere@producer.com
