Ontario will bring in changes to better protect animals

Province to spend $5.5 million a year to inspect zoos, target puppy mills

The Ontario government will spend $5.5 million a year to increase enforcement of animal welfare laws, crack down on puppy and kitten mills and improve care for marine mammals in the province.

In making the announcement on Friday, Community Safety Minister Madeleine Meilleur said the government's plans include regular inspections of zoos and aquariums to ensure animals in captivity are healthy and well cared for. The Minister made the announcement at the High Park Zoo in Toronto. The province has worked on these changes for over a year.

Meilleur also said annual funding will go to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to help it strengthen its animal protection work.

She said the government will create a centralized dispatch service so its officers can respond to animal abuse calls from anywhere in the province.  

"The OSPCA will provide regular progress reports to the government to ensure our enforcement goals are being met," she said.

A squad of specially trained investigators will also be formed to crack down on puppy and kitten mills.

The OSPCA will also conduct twice-yearly inspections of zoos and aquariums.

Meilleur says the new measures will strengthen enforcement of animal welfare laws in areas that have been under-served, such as rural and northern communities, and address concerns about proper inspections of facilities where animals are held in captivity.

"Our government cares deeply for the well-being of animals wherever they live in this province," she said Friday.

Many animal rights activists applauded the additional monies dedicated to protecting animals. Rob Godfrey, the chair of the OSPCA, said, "The announcement begins a new era for animal protection in Ontario. We are pleased and proud to partner with the province on this historic initiative." And the Toronto Zoo, "welcomed" the announcement of the changes and additional funds.

Despite the enthusiasm of some, there are critics. NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo said, "These announcements that we're now the best jurisdiction anywhere for animal protection is laughable. Absolutely laughable." The MPP pointed out the changes do nothing to improve the quality of life for exotic animals such as tigers and large whales. DiNovo also said nothing in the changes would prevent what happened in New Brunswick when a snake killed two young boys.

DiNovo described the changes as having no teeth. "We need a licence in this province for a cat or dog. You still don't need a licence for an Orca or a tiger. We were hoping for animal laws changed."

DiNovo also criticized the government for not doing anything about roadside zoos.

Mike Wales, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, was also of the view that the announced changes did not go far enough. Wales said, "What wasn't discussed but should have been was any level of accountability for the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to the Ontario legislature or the community safety and correctional services minister. We've said all along the OSPCA needs to be accountable. They've been running amuk (sic) and they don't answer to anybody."

There are more than 60 zoos and aquariums in Ontario, more than any other province, the government says.

Quick Facts:-

• Ontario is providing the OSPCA with $5.5 million annually to strengthen protection for animals. OSPCA will also provide regular progress reports to government that demonstrate how it’s delivering on these enforcement initiatives.
• The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was last amended in 2009, making it the strongest animal welfare legislation in Canada.
• There are over 60 zoos and aquariums in Ontario — more than any other province.