Branch & Affiliate Societies form lifesaving team

One voice for animal welfare in Ontario

Story: OntarioSPCA_Communities 2009, ® Ontario SPCA, 2006

Photo: Ottawa Humane Society

Photo: Ottawa Humane Society

For over 130 years the Ontario SPCA has led the province in animal welfare. Today, the Ontario SPCA's network of more than 50 Branch and Affiliate Societies 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 Branch and Affiliate Societies in 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 Branch and Affiliate Societies 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.

Photo: Marie Ostrom

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 businesses. Donations made to the Ontario SPCA Provincial Office are used to support and strengthen the activities and initiatives of the entire network of Branches and Affiliates.

By uniting as "One voice for animal welfare in Ontario," the Ontario SPCA and its Branch and Affiliate Societies are able to accomplish many lifesaving feats that would otherwise be impossible to accomplish. The future for animal protection is bright as we continue to find new ways of working together and sharing our strengths!

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