Office of the Premier
The B.C. government and the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (BC SPCA) had a message for dog owners as they hosted Animal Protection Day at the Parliament buildings today, leaving pets in hot cars is not cool.
The latest partnership between the BC SPCA and the B.C. government is a joint public awareness campaign to help British Columbians remember:
- During warm weather, or on a humid day, temperatures in vehicles can rise sharply in 10 to 20 minutes, even in the shade with the windows partly open, and can rapidly reach a level that will seriously harm or even kill your pet. To a dog in car, it can be a matter of life or death.
- Owners who expose pets to excessive heat can be charged under the B.C. government’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, with maximum penalties of $75,000 fines and two-year imprisonment.
- Not every dog in every car needs to be rescued. Learn to spot the signs of a dog in distress before acting.
- Exaggerated panting (or the sudden stopping of panting)
- Salivation
- Anxious or staring expression
- Weakness or muscle tremors
- Lack of coordination
- Convulsions or vomiting
- Unresponsive to tapping at window
(flickr.com) In the last two years the B.C. government and the BC SPCA have worked together to:
- Upgrade or replace BC SPCA facilities in 10 B.C. communities through a $5 million contribution from the B.C. government, with new shelters or upgrades complete in Kelowna and Delta, and work underway in Vancouver and Nanaimo.
- Improve animal welfare for B.C.’s dairy cattle and commercially bred cats and dogs through the adoption of codes of practices as expected minimum standards in British Columbia.
May 12, 2016, is declared as Animal Protection Day to create awareness about the importance of treating all animals, at all times, with the respect and care they deserve. B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick and BC SPCA CEO Craig Daniell presented this year’s proclamation to BC SPCA volunteers Tara Kozocari and Catherine Goede to honour their and their fellow volunteers’ many hours of dedicated service.
(flickr.com) Quotes:
Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick –
“Protecting animals takes a combination of strong laws, sincere animal welfare values, ongoing public awareness and ensuring there are consequences for those who abuse animals. B.C. has the toughest animal cruelty penalties in Canada and our ongoing partnership with the BC SPCA and agricultural leaders in the province will keep animal welfare in all of our minds and reinforce the expectation that each and every animal in British Columbia is treated with the care and respect they deserve.”
BC SPCA chief executive officer Craig Daniell –
“The BC SPCA is proud to celebrate a long history of protecting animals in this province. We hope today by highlighting the problem of hot pets in cars, we can prevent tragedies from occurring this summer. Last year the BC SPCA received 1,529 calls about animals in distress in hot cars and we have already responded to 81 calls on this issue so far this year.”
BC SPCA volunteer Tara Kozocari –
“Volunteering for the BC SPCA for four years has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. I have personally seen the tragedy of ‘unadoptable animals’ become triumphant stories of transformation under the care of staff and volunteers. Helping animals become their best selves and find their forever homes is a big part of why I volunteer my time.”
(flickr.com) Quick Facts:
- Last year, the BC SPCA investigated more than 10,000 complaints of animal abuse and neglect, and provided care and assistance to 43,249 animals in distress and need through 41 locations throughout the province.
- In 2015, the BC SPCA found homes for 15,811 homeless animals and reunited 3,949 lost pets with their families.
- Since forming in 1895, the BC SPCA has adopted out more than one million animals.
- The BC SPCA has nearly 4,000 volunteers and 508 staff members that make caring for thousands of animals possible every year.
- The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was updated in 2011 to have the toughest penalties in Canada.
Learn More:
More information about pets in hot cars: spca.bc.ca/hotpets
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act: http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96372_01:
Animal Protection Day Proclamation: http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/oic/OIC_CUR/AnimalProtectionDay2016
