The SPCA, not the municipality, pays the wages of the majority of SPCs in this province. The writer obviously lives in an area in which the SPCA oversees animal control services. SPCA branches without animal control contracts also have SPCs, & their wages are paid by the SPCA.
The SPCA may cover costs for painkillers, but rarely authorizes surgical procedures etc. for an animal whose owner cannot be found. If no owner is found and the animal requires extensive vet care, the SPCA usually opts to kill the animal. If an owner is located, the owner has to reimburse the SPCA for its costs.
As for vets not trusting the SPCA. Wasn't there a story about a vet not being paid for his/her services after the community rallied together to raise funds for the SPCA to help an animal? If this is the case, what guarantee is there the SPCA won't hide, lose or redistribute money from the Biscuit Fund too?