OSPCA

Ontario SPCA
 Provincial organization
 Branches and affiliates
 Enforcement
 Sheltering
 Advocacy

Ontario SPCA Act
Distress- “the state of being in need of proper care, water, food or shelter or being injured, sick
or in pain or suffering or being abused or subject to undue or unnecessary hardship, privation or
neglect”

Enforcement
 Chief Inspector
 Inspector
 Agents
“For the purposes of enforcement... every inspector and agent of the society has and may exercise any
of the powers of a police officer.”

Specific Prohibitions
 Causing distress
 Permitting distress
 Training, permitting animals to fight
 Owning animal fighting equipment, structures
 Harming law enforcement animals

Obligation to Report
Applies to veterinarians: “Every veterinarian who has reasonable grounds to believe that an animal has
been or is being abused or neglected shall report his or her belief to an inspector or an agent of the
Society.”

Power to Enter & Inspect
Without a warrant
 Places used for animal exhibit, entertainment, boarding, hire or sale
 Immediate distress (imminent death)

With a warrant
 Entry/inspection previously denied or likely to be denied

Issuing Orders
Occur when owner is present or can be found
Action to relieve distress or for veterinarian examination
Must be in writing
Must indicate time frame



Taking Possession