Outside Victoria’s Parliament Buildings today, the Government of British Columbia and the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) are giving a voice to those who can’t speak for themselves, in recognizing Animal Abuse Prevention Day.

The BC SPCA is celebrating 120 years of serving and protecting animals in 2015. To mark the anniversary, the organization is fighting cruelty with kindness, by launching a year-long movement, Million Acts of Kindness, meant to inspire a million acts of kindness for companion, farm and wild animals. One of these acts of kindness is featured every week on the http://millionacts.ca website, with the message that anyone can make a difference, regardless of their age and whether or not they have a pet.

Balanced Budget 2015 committed $5 million to the BC SPCA. This funding will support an eight-year facilities plan that will replace or renovate aging BC SPCA facilities in 10 B.C. communities including Vancouver, Nanaimo, Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George, Dawson Creek and the Kootenays.

In 2011, B.C. resident Wade Shaw requested an awareness day as a memorial to the 56 Whistler sled dogs who lost their lives the previous year. The annual event reminds all British Columbians how everyone can take action to prevent animal abuse.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick -

“Animal welfare is a team effort - and requires governments, organizations like the BC SPCA, and all citizens to work together and be vigilant to ensure all animals in British Columbia are treated with the due care and respect they deserve.”

BC SPCA chief executive officer Craig Daniell -

“Animal Abuse Prevention Day provides an opportunity for British Columbians to celebrate the human-animal bond and reaffirm our commitment to improving the welfare of the animals in our province.”

Quick Facts:

• Each year, the BC SPCA investigates nearly 8,000 complaints of animal abuse and neglect.
• The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was updated in 2011 to have the toughest penalties in Canada.
• The maximum penalties that can be levied under provincial legislation against a person who is convicted of causing distress to an animal is $75,000 and up to 24 months imprisonment.

Learn More:

BC SPCA: http://www.spca.bc.ca/

BC SPCA Million Act of Kindness:
http://support.spca.bc.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=mak_home

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act:
http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96372_01

Media Contacts:

Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-7098
250 889-5945 (mobile)

Geoff Urton
Senior Manager of Stakeholder Relations
BC SPCA
604 773-0421