Accountability
The Issue
The BC SPCA is often accused of being a secretive organization that is highly bureaucratic. People have also said that from Branch to Branch procedures and services appear to be different and sometimes at odds with one another. The goal should be to standardize service across the province and to make the organization as transparent as possible.
In seeking public feedback the BC SPCA asked what information the public would like to see the BC SPCA make available to them, and what expectations the public has around consistency of services and procedures for the entire province.
Public feedback
Submissions recommend that all publicly funded organizations should be held accountable to the citizens who support them and should provide details to the public including funds paid for salaries, rent and other fixed costs. The expense involved with the BC SPCA Head Office having offices in downtown Vancouver is raised, with the recommendation that head office could save costs by operating out of an existing shelter.
Many submissions voice concerns about the salary paid to the Executive Director of the Vancouver Branch - they saw it as a major violation of trust and as a lack of accountability to donors. However, the salary issue was more of a springboard to their real concerns, which focused on the condition of BC SPCA animal shelters (particularly in the Lower Mainland), the standards of care given to animals and the attitude of staff.
A number of submissions note the lack of consistency of services and procedures across the network of the Society's branches and shelters. People want to know to whom branch management and staff are held accountable, and how the BC SPCA sets and monitors standards for animal care across the province. A submission from a Vancouver Regional Branch board member states that in her view, the Society's problems arise from its dysfunctional organizational structure, where each of the Society's 32 branches has its own board of directors and operates autonomously. The result is varying standards and procedures from branch to branch.
There are a number of submissions that focus specifically on accountability in the Victoria Branch. Members of the Victoria branch voice concern over the lack of transparency and accountability of branch management and the board of directors to the membership. The lack of professional procedure at the Year 2001 AGM is referenced more than once. One submission notes that the relationship between veterinarians and the Victoria Branch has been in downward spiral for years. He also notes that veterinarians carry a huge part of the animal welfare burden, one that he believes should rightfully be carried by the Society.
Several submissions recommend that the constitution and general organization of the Society be altered so it functions as one legal entity governed by the Society Act. The expectation is that all BC SPCA branches and shelters should provide professional and consistent services throughout the province that are aligned with the overriding values, commitments and goals of the Society.
In both oral and written submissions it was recommended that the BC SPCA provide the public with information on cruelty cases and actions being taken.
Recommendations
Accountability is a huge issue with the public and one the BC SPCA should take very seriously. The independent panel recommends that the BC SPCA be more open and transparent regarding its operations and financial management, and communicate with its members and the public regularly. We recommend that the BC SPCA develop a process for accountability and transparency in such areas as the prudent use of funds (salaries, rent and other fixed assets), cruelty investigations, advocacy initiatives, positions on animal issues and branch programs and services. The BC SPCA must make every effort to create a culture that clearly stands for animal welfare and to create and implement consistent policies, programs and services at all branches.
We understand that the Society is undergoing an organizational renewal that would see it governed as one legal entity, rather than as a federation of independently governed branches. We hope that achieving accountability will be easier under this new structure. However, whether or not the structure changes, the BC SPCA must make itself accountable to those it depends on for its survival: donors and members, volunteers, staff.
Our specific recommendations call on the BC SPCA to:
Urgent
• Create a statement of values and commitments in coordination with staff and volunteers, which will result in a culture that clearly stands for the welfare of animals.
Short-term
• Develop consistent policies, programs and services that align with the Society's values, commitments and strategic objectives.

• Develop a process for accountability and transparency; research the accountability and transparency mechanisms used in other high profile non-profit associations.

• Provide a mechanism for the public to track cruelty investigations, ensuring privacy of individuals while cases are under investigation.

• Demonstrate voluntary sharing of information by convening public information forums in different regions throughout the year.