LEGISLATION - Bills Propose Sweeping Changes in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously passed multiple bills aimed at protecting animals, and the bills are now headed to the Massachusetts House.

The first bill extends the ability of law enforcement to rescue animals from vehicles in extreme weather, and allows concerned citizens to use “reasonable means” to rescue animals from hot or cold cars.

This is an issue that comes up in jurisdictions across North America. Animals are often left in hot vehicles during the summer months, with 1,000 reports of animals in hot cars in 2014 in British Columbia. NDP MLA Selena Robinson hopes to pass a bill that echoes some of the concerns addressed in Massachusetts’ new legislation, and would allow bylaw officers to rescue animals from hot cars.

The American Veterinary Medical Association says “Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles.”

The second Massachusetts bill addresses the sale of unhealthy pets by unlicensed or unethical breeders. Veterinarians would have the ability to declare any sick pet “unfit for purchase” and the bill would ensure that buyers could return these pets for a full refund.

Another bill forbids the sale of puppies or kittens under 8 weeks old.

Nova Scotia passed a law last year that also addresses these issues. The law allows SPCA investigators and law enforcement further power to rescue animals in hot cars (but does not extend this power to private citizens), and also ensures that animals being sold are healthy and responsibly bred. Before an animal can be sold, a veterinarian must sign off on its health.

The Massachusetts laws go even further, banning pet stores from selling animals from unlicensed breeders. Pet stores would also be required to post information about each animal, and the breeder that the animal came from.

A third bill passed by the Massachusetts Senate ensures that abandoned animals will be found more quickly. Property owners will be required to check buildings vacated because of foreclosure, eviction, or abandonment.

By Tiffany Sostar

Tiffany is a writer, editor, academic, and animal lover who came late to her appreciation of pets. At 18, a rescue pup named Tasha saved her from a depression and she hasn't looked back. She has worked as the canine behaviour program coordinator for the Calgary Humane Society, and was a dog trainer specializing in working with fearful and reactive dogs for many years. She doesn't have any pets right now, but makes up for it by giving her petsitting clients (and any dogs she comes across on her frequent coffee shop adventures) extra snuggles.

LEGISLATION - BC Passes Law to Better Protect Cats and Dogs

(Cheryl Wallach)

The BC government announced it has followed through on its commitment to enhance the protection of cats and dogs in British Columbia by passing an Order-in-Council (OIC).

The OIC provides a new regulation under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act that recognizes the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Codes of Practice for both kennel and cattery operations as generally accepted practices of animal management for commercial breeders and boarders of cats and dogs in British Columbia.

The Codes of Practice include specific requirements for sanitation, spacing, housing, food and water, ventilation, care supervision and transportation.

“The B.C. government expects all British Columbians to treat their animals with care and respect including dog and pet breeders. The consultation is all about balancing the interests of the cat and dog breeding industry with the expectations of B.C. citizens regarding the health and welfare of companion animals and ensuring adequate animal welfare oversight of commercial breeding establishments,” Norm Letnick, Minister of Agriculture said in a release.

Their next steps include consulting with kennels and catteries about possible proactive monitoring and license or registration requirements to operate as a commercial breeder in the province.

“We commend the B.C. government for its responsiveness on the important issue of unregulated dog and cat breeding," said Craig Daniell, chief executive officer of BC SPCA.

"This first step of adopting the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Codes into law lays an important groundwork for establishing a licensing and inspection program that we are pleased to be providing input on now.”

B.C. Government to Strengthen Laws Governing Cat and Dog Breeding

The B.C. government recently announced it is beefing up its animal cruelty laws to better safeguard vulnerable cats and dogs from irresponsible commercial breeders.

Under its Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the province will set out rules outlining stringent practices for breeders in both kennel and cattery operations.

“Animal cruelty is unacceptable,” says Premier Christy Clark. “We’re taking another step towards stopping those cat and dog breeders who don’t provide adequate care. Together with the BC SPCA and key stakeholders, we will develop a system that supports responsible pet breeders in B.C., and targets the ones that aren’t.”

Housing, ventilation, food and water, care and supervision, as well as behavioural needs, socialization and transportation will be covered under the Codes of Practice, which enhances existing rules and sees B.C. boast the toughest provincial penalties in Canada aimed at protecting animals.

Under the Act, charges can be laid against anyone who causes suffering or distress to an animal with those convicted facing maximum penalties of $75,000 and up to 24 months imprisonment.

“British Columbians deserve the certainty that companion animals sold in our province are born and raised in a secure, caring environment, and we will be bringing in changes to help ensure it,” Jane Thornthwaite, MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour says. “We’ll be working with the BC SPCA, veterinarians, reputable breeders, and other stakeholders to see how we can best target commercial dog and cat breeders who do not provide appropriate care to animals.”

Legislation highlights include requiring “prompt and adequate veterinary care (be) provided” for dogs who are “sick, injured, in pain or suffering” - and for cats, “veterinary care is provided at the first indication that the animal is not well.”

It also calls for daily cleaning and sanitizing, minimal spacing requirements for housing for dogs and cats and requires written procedures for animal care be posted and thus available to personnel at all times.

The rules rely on the Canadian Veterinary MedicalAssociation’s Codes of Practice for both kennel and cattery operations as generally accepted management practices for cat and dog breeders in the province – a move commended by Craig Daniell, chief executive officer of the BC SPCA. “British Columbians are passionate about animal welfare. Recent events have reinforced the public’s desire for regulation of breeders to prevent animal suffering,” he says.

Consultations are underway to look at everything from breeder licensing and inspection regulations in the development of new laws to assist the SPCA monitor and take action against irresponsible breeders.

Legislation amendments are anticipated in 2017.

While the government encourages people to report any events which may be in contravention of laws and regulations, Catherine King, breeder and owner of Splendent Standard Poodles, says citizens can play a part in preventing animal abuse “by only purchasing from recognized breeders who treat their animals with the love, care and respect they deserve.”

In 2011, the province introduced enhancements to animal cruelty laws with higher penalties and greater accountability stemming from the reported mass killings of 100 sled dogs.

By Nadia Moharib
Nadia Moharib is an animal lover who has adopted everything from birds to hamsters, salamanders, rabbits, fish and felines. She has written about all-things-pets for years and was a long-time editor of a pet magazine in a daily newspaper which featured a Q & A column, Ask Whit, penned by her pooch (ghost written, of course.) The serial dog owner lives in Calgary, Alberta and most days can be found at a dog park picking up after her rescue pooch, Scoots.

Regional Innovation Showcase sneak peek

On Wednesday, 17 April, the Canada wide 2013 Regional Conference tour will launch. Members from all levels and sectors of the Urban Animal Industry will gather together in Toronto, Halifax, Calgary and Vancouver for the 7th annual edition of these regional events.

The 2013 Regional Conferences are a strategic component of the Urban Animal Program in North America. They feature the Pet Experience Workshops led by Dr. Jason Coe and a strong cast of local presenters showcasing innovative projects that can be replicated to move communities forward across North America:

• Atlantic Canada will showcase a unique partnership between the Nova Scotia SPCA and the Nova Scotia Department of Justice that prepares both dogs and offenders to achieve the socialization and skills they need to be successful in the community; The Atlantic Veterinary College and Cat Action Team from PEI will show how they have successfully spayed and neutered 8,000 feral and barn cats; The Fredericton SPCA will show the ‘TINY’ weight-loss challenge project which received international attention; Tuxedo Stan is sending his campaign team in to show how he raised the plight of cats by running for Mayor of Halifax and; a presentation by those involved in Wind Energy will show how energy and funding can be more sustainable. 
• Central Canada will showcase the experiences of Canada’s largest urban municipality and how they are guiding the development of future services for pets and people; The first place winner of the Nichol Pitch Competition from the Management Economics and Finance faculty at the University of Guelph, will present WooF, a new plan for exploiting ‘socialapplication’ for pet owners in Canada and beyond and; Ontario SPCA demonstrates how fixyourpet.ca has delivered.  
• Prairie Canada will showcase Green Calgary’s study of the Canine Carbon Footprint; Edmonton Humane will bring its renowned blog discussion of the future and affordability of pets in our communities; a post mortem presentation on the City of Vernon's decision not to ban the sale of puppies in retail outlets; Red Deer Petland and Alberta Animal Services have formed a unique partnership to promote adoption and fundraising and; urban planning for pets and people. 
• Pacific Canada will showcase the 2012 Let's Talk About Cats program launched by BC SPCA and Katie's Place in the community of Maple Ridge; Coquitlam will show how their program to repurpose infrastructure has achieved unusual results in their community; MLA Jane Thornthwaite introduced Mandatory Care standards for BC Breeders. 

Dog and Cat Breeder Regulations Introduced into BC Legislature

North Vancouver-Seymour's MLA Jane Thornthwaite introduced a Private Member’s Bill, April 23, specifically targeting puppy and kitty mills that will protect legitimate breeders and future pet owners. The bill know as Standards of Care for Breeders of Companion Animals, outlines specific requirements for dog and cat breeders in B.C. to ensure the welfare of companion animals.

Why this matters:

• This legislation will increase public awareness about the standards of care that dog and cat breeders must adhere to.
• The bill declares that breeders of three or more female dogs or cats capable of reproduction will be required not only to understand, but meet, the standards of care in handling and breeding their animals.
• Operators that fail to comply with the legislation will be subject to punishment under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
• There are currently non-mandatory regulations for breeders. This legislation implements mandatory regulations for animal care.
• According to a 2007 Ipsos Reid survey, 38 per cent of Canadian households have a pet cat while 35 per cent have a dog. This bill will provide a measure of protection to owners by ensuring that their dogs and cats were bred in a healthy and humane manner.

To view video coverage of the introduction of this new bill, please click one of the links below:

• Video 1
• Video 2

North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite is joined by pet owners and their dogs at the Legislative Assembly on April 23 while she speaks about her bill, Standards of Care for Breeders of Companion Animals.

Information and photo courtesy of the BC Government Caucus Communications department.