A B.C. government announcement seeking to crack down on irresponsible cat and dog breeders is being met by approval from Leon Davis, the B.C. SPCA’s Nanaimo branch manager.
B.C. government said it will adopt a regulation under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act recognizing the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s codes of practice for both kennel and cattery operations as generally accepted management practices for cat and dog breeders in B.C.
Among items in the codes of practice is a requirement that if a dog is suffering or injured, there must be provision of immediate and sufficient veterinary care. In the case of cats, veterinary care must be provided at the first sign the animal is ill. Daily cleaning and sufficient space of 1.1-2.2 square metres for dogs and 1.5 square metres for cats is required.
Davis said the treatment of sick animals, along with the sanitizing and spacing requirements, encapsulate the B.C. SPCA’s five essential freedoms, which include animals being free from hunger, pain, distress, discomfort and having the freedom to express behaviour that promotes well-being.
“Those capture all of the basics of care, I think, that would satisfy the five freedoms ... which is what we expect every animal in our care, or anyone’s care to have,” said Davis.
The provincial government also said it, the SPCA and stakeholders are working on consultation to develop new laws that will help the SPCA enforce laws against breeders that contravene the act.
Consultation takes place this spring and the government said legislation is expected in 2017.