Consistent with the
Ontario SPCA
Act, the mission of
the Ontario SPCA is to facilitate and provide for
province-wide leadership on matters relating to the
prevention of cruelty to animals and the promotion
of animal welfare.
The Society's goal is to be a strong, unified and
collaborative organization dedicated to the
cultivation of a compassionate Ontario for all
animals.
|
The Ontario SPCA has been protecting animals for 132
years. Our goal is to build awareness of the
essential role of animals in our lives, our
families' happiness and our natural heritage. We are
committed to assisting animals in need in
communities across the province, including homeless
cats, dogs and other
companion animals,
injured
wildlife,
and all animals subjected to cruelty or neglect. |
These are exciting times for the Ontario SPCA and
all people who care about Ontario's animals. As
animal welfare issues begin to take their rightful
place in the consciousness of our communities and
legislatures,
the Society's opportunities to influence change
increase. We take a leadership role in working with
government at the
municipal,
provincial and
federal
level to develop effective, progressive animal
welfare legislation. |
The Ontario Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario
SPCA) was founded on July 4, 1873 by citizens
concerned for both the welfare of animals and
children.
Several years later, the Children's
Aid Society was established as a separate
organization and the Ontario SPCA's primary focus
was to bring cruelty cases to the attention of
authorities.
In 1887, the Ontario SPCA's
lobbying efforts resulted in a decision by the
Ontario Board of Police Commissioners to appoint a
police officer to deal with animal cruelty issues on
a full-time basis. In 1919, the first legislation
was passed to protect animals. The Ontario SPCA's
inspectors and agents
were given authority by the government, through the
Ontario SPCA Act,
to investigate situations involving animal abuse.
In 1955, the Government of Ontario
repealed the Act of 1919 and replaced it with
new legislation. Inspectors and agents were granted
the power to enter property, to carry out
investigations and given broader powers to remove
animals that were believed to be in distress or in
need of care and attention. In order to obtain
enforcement powers, many independent societies
affiliated with the Ontario SPCA enabling the
Society to become a larger, more linked group that
could effect better humane laws and conditions.
Between 1960 and 1970, the Ontario
SPCA expanded its operations across the Province of
Ontario. New societies were introduced as
"branches"
and pre-1955 organizations maintained their
independent
affiliate
status.
