Here are some business figures that may explain why SPCAs are too busy to do much or anything about individual suffering dogs who seldom attract any media attention (though time is found to make big, splashy puppymill seizures that attract donations). Figures are taken from the http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca website. Revenue from municipal/regional governments is most likely for dog-catcher/disposer contracts with local municipalities.

NS SPCA:
2007:
Total revenue: $448,650
Revenue from municipal/regional governments: $334,302 (75% of total revenue)

2008:
Total revenue: $751,465
Revenue from municipal/regional governments: $370,650 (49% of total revenue)

There is a likelihood that SPCA employees are too busy carrying out its contracted public-safety duties of dog-catcher/disposer (protecting the public from dogs) to have the time to enforce its mandate to protect dogs from people. Fifty percernt to 75% of revenues could be the tail that is wagging the SPCA dog. When donors give to the Nova Scotia SPCA to protect dogs do they realize that the NS SPCA is also the dog-catcher?