The BC SPCA’s 25 full-time special provincial constables investigated 5,870 new cruelty complaints last year.

Thanks to the citizens who reported their animal welfare concerns and the donors who support the non-profit BC SPCA, investigators removed hundreds of animals from dangerous and neglectful situations.

These included animals like Sage, a German shepherd mix who was confined to a filthy bathroom in Boston Bar for 24 hours a day; Sage now has a new lease on life with a loving family in Chilliwack and her former owner has been charged with animal cruelty.

The BC SPCA derives its authority from the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which sets out the minimum standards of care for animals in B.C., the process for enforcing the legislation and the penalties for violating it

Read about the steps of a cruelty investigation in The Province newspaper.

"All of our investigations start with a single complaint from someone who is concerned about the welfare of an animal," says Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations for the BC SPCA.

If you suspect that an animal in your community is in distress, report your complaint to your local SPCA branch, online or by calling the SPCA’s provincial emergency number, 604-879-7343.

The Heroes Fund for Animal Protection supports emergency animal rescue, the investigation of animal cruelty cases, and bringing abusers to justice. Donate today and you can be a hero, too.

Photo caption: a BC SPCA special provincial constable issues orders (above) to improve conditions for an animal in need.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.