The
Today, the Provincial Education & Animal Centre and
The Provincial Office is the headquarters of Provincial Services and the senior management team, including the Director of
Also operating out of this location is the Senior Inspector for Central Region/GTA and an investigations team covering York Region,
How the Ontario SPCA began
On July 4, 1873, citizens concerned for both the welfare of animals and children founded the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario SPCA). Several years later, the Children's Aid Society was established as a separate organization and the Ontario SPCA's primary focus became bringing animal cruelty cases to the attention of authorities.
In 1887, the Ontario SPCA's lobbying efforts resulted in a decision by the Ontario Board of Police Commissioners to appoint a police officer to deal with animal cruelty issues on a full-time basis. In 1919, the first legislation was passed to protect animals. The Ontario SPCA's Inspectors and Agents were given authority by the government, through the Ontario SPCA Act, to investigate situations involving animal abuse.
In 1955, the Government of Ontario repealed the Act of 1919 and replaced it with new legislation. Inspectors and Agents were granted the power to enter property, to carry out investigations and given broader powers to remove animals that were believed to be in distress or in need of care and attention. In order to obtain enforcement powers, many independent societies affiliated with the Ontario SPCA, enabling the Society to become a larger, more linked group that could affect better humane laws and conditions.
The Ontario SPCA today
Today, the Ontario SPCA’s network of more than 50 Communities make it one of the largest, most responsive animal welfare organizations in the country – providing shelter, care and protection to tens of thousands of animals each year.
Under provincial law, the Ontario SPCA holds the authority for the investigation and enforcement of animal cruelty legislation in Ontario. This authority may be delegated by the Ontario SPCA to its local Communities, but it is the Ontario SPCA that is ultimately held accountable to the government and public in the conduct of its legislated authority, and the conduct of local Agents and Inspectors.
The Ontario SPCA’s unique relationship with its Communities is critical to its lifesaving work.
Branches, formed by the Ontario SPCA, are administered by the Ontario SPCA Provincial Office in Newmarket. Affiliate Societies, which include Humane Societies and SPCAs, operate more independently from the Ontario SPCA and are administered at the local level by their own individual Board of Directors. To maintain an Affiliate status, the organization must ensure that their policies, bylaws and goals are reflective of the Ontario SPCA and pay an annual membership fee.
By affiliating with the Ontario SPCA, Affiliate Societies gain animal cruelty investigative powers in their local communities, and the benefits of belonging to a province-wide network which brings animal welfare organizations together for the purposes of learning from each other, sharing best practices and working in partnership to help more animals.
Affiliates also gain access to many of the programs and services of the provincial organization. The Investigations Department of the Provincial Office provides training, guidance, leadership, support and oversight to all Agents and Inspectors across the province. In addition, the Provincial Office provides Branches and Affiliates with animal care and wildlife education opportunities; administrative and financial support; legal services; public relations, marketing and fundraising assistance; information and resource sharing; and leadership on community and provincial animal welfare issues and shelter operations.
Branch and Affiliate Societies are funded by the communities they serve. As charitable organizations (and non-government agencies), they rely on the generosity of their supporters, including individuals, associations and corporations. Donations made to the Ontario SPCA Provincial Office are used to support and strengthen the activities and initiatives of the entire network of Communities.
By uniting as “One voice for animal welfare in Ontario,” the Ontario SPCA and its Communities are able to accomplish many lifesaving feats that would otherwise be impossible to achieve. The future for animal protection is bright as we continue to find new ways of working together and sharing our strengths!