The B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is the body which conducts cruelty investigations of pet and wild animals in British Columbia.

Despite being the only organization with the provincially legislated mandate to investigate cruelty complaints, the BC SPCA receives no direct funding from the B.C. Liberal government.

The B.C. Liberals have steadily reduced the amount of funding to the BC SPCA.

Direct funding

• From the late 1990s, the BC SPCA received an annual grant of $71,500. The money was directed toward training for special constables. Special constables are the officers which conduct cruelty investigations.
• The grant was cancelled after the 2009 election.

Gaming grants

• The B.C. Liberals have steadily cut gaming grants to the BC SPCA since 2003.
• In 2003, the society received $475,000.
• That number dropped to $407,000 in 2005, then to $325,000 in 2006.
• Since 2007, the society has received $250,000. That figure represents about 10 per cent of what the BC SPCA has spent on animal cruelty investigations annually, and roughly one per cent of the society’s annual budget.
• The society has not yet received a commitment for gaming grants beyond the 2010/2011 fiscal year.

The BC SPCA

• A registered charity under the Societies Act, the BC SPCA receives the bulk of its income from donations and community contracts.
• The society conducts thousands of cruelty investigations each year, while operating 37 branches across B.C.

B.C.’s New Democrats are committed to combating cruelty to animals and supports increased funding for the BC SPCA.