Services for animals in need rose in 2022: BC SPCA

BC SPCA staff say they saw a growing need for their animal services in 2022.

Last year, the non-profit reported helping a total of 118,679 animals both through direct care and through the organization’s outreach programs. It also helped over 9,000 animals through its pet food banks.

“We definitely saw an increased need for support from pet guardians who were struggling and who needed a little extra help to care for their animals,” Lorie Chortyk, the chief communications officer for BC SPCA, said.

She also noted a rise in the number of animals that were being surrendered into their care since 2019.

Chortyk said the organization’s spay and neuter programs helped in lowering the number of homeless animals that came into their care year by year but that they saw the numbers increase last year.

“In 2022, we saw a slight increase in numbers – nearly a thousand more animals – who came into our care for sheltering and adoption. In total, 32,462 animals were provided with direct services,” she said.

It was also a busy year for animal protection officers who investigated over 8,000 cases of suspected animal cruelty and neglect.

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The organization reported officers assisted 34,989 animals who were at risk. Animals can be taken from their guardians if they don’t make the needed changes for their pets. The BC SPCA executed 122 warrants in 2022 to remove animals from their guardians.

“Often when an animal’s needs are not being met, the guardian is trying to do the right thing,” Chortyk said.

“They just need a helping hand to access food, vet care or other resources to relieve the distress of their pet. In those cases, our officers do everything they can to help in order to keep families and their pets together.”

BC SPCA staff said they saw a drop in veterinary services because of the impact of the shortage of veterinarians in the province.

“Veterinary care is essential for animals in our own care and for community animals, but due to the lack of available veterinarians we were forced to close our hospital in Burnaby last year,” Chortyk said.

In 2022, staff said they were able to provide 16,228 animals with veterinary services but this number is actually a decrease from the previous year’s almost 25,000 animals that were able to receive veterinary care.

The organization stressed the importance of its volunteers in providing service and care.

“The BC SPCA does not receive government funding for any of its services to B.C. animals,” Chortyk said.

“We are extremely grateful to our kind and generous supporters who make our life-saving work for animals possible.”