Vancouver Island To See One Of Four New SPCA Facilities In B.C.

More pets will receive the care and attention they need in new state-of-the art facilities serving four B.C. communities.

“For many British Columbians, pets are part of the family,” said Premier David Eby.

“Yet sadly, it’s still too common to hear about abandoned or mistreated animals. British Columbians care deeply about the welfare of all animals. That’s why we’re helping the BC SPCA build four new facilities where rescue animals will be able to get the high-quality care they need and deserve, before they find new homes.”

The Province is providing $12 million to help build BC SPCA shelter replacements in Duncan, Vancouver, Prince George, and Fort St. John.

Shelters there are either closed or outdated and are neither designed nor equipped to provide modern care for animals.

The province is also resuming its work to tweak the framework for the licensing and registration of commercial breeders of cats and dogs, so proper rules are in place to protect kittens and puppies from unethical breeders.

Work on the framework was paused because of external factors such as the pandemic, the 2021 flood and the avian influenza outbreak.

A million dollars is being spent to replace a 27-year-old facility in Duncan.

The redevelopment plan is for a 7,500-square foot Vancouver Island Animal Behaviour Centre on the existing site. This will be the first animal behaviour centre of its kind in Canada.

The BCSPCA says they are seeing growing numbers of anxious, fearful, and under-socialized animals coming into care.

Spokesperson Leon Davis says on Vancouver Island, depending on community, this can be as much as 18% of dogs and 30% of cats in care.

He says the new centre ‘’will give many animals a chance to go on to live happy lives with loving families.”

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.