Advocacy
The Issue
Speaking for Animals often means advocating for them. Some of the BC SPCA's successful advocacy programs have resulted in improvements to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act; the passing of local by-laws prohibiting touring circus animal acts; and improvements to conditions for laboratory animals. The BC SPCA also participates in national advocacy though the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies and, at the municipal level, advocacy in partnerships with other animal welfare organizations. Much of the Society's advocacy work in the past has been 'behind the scenes' rather than in public. This has resulted in criticism that the BC SPCA appears to be too secretive.
The BC SPCA can and should be doing more to advocate on behalf of animals.
In seeking public feedback the BC SPCA asked for input on what process the BC SPCA should follow in setting an advocacy agenda, and what animal welfare issues should have priority on that agenda.
Public Feedback
Many participants want to see the BC SPCA become a stronger and more public advocate for animals. An animal welfare advisory group consisting of academics, veterinarians, and representatives of other relevant organizations is considered by some to be a good strategy -- provided it has the power to make change or can link with a process to enforce its recommendations.
Advocacy is noted as a key driver in creating change. One submission states, "if environmentalists hadn't caused all the problems for the logging industry there would still be clear cutting and irresponsible forest practices". Another suggestion is to use volunteers in letter writing campaigns. For example, a stronger advocacy front could be mounted to support federal legislation that calls for pets to be classified as sentient beings rather than chattel. As well, many submissions call on the BC SPCA to work more proactively for legislation that enables responsible renters and condominium owners to adopt and retain pets.
One submission calls for a Bill of Rights for animals stating, "once the BC SPCA has established what is humane and proper treatment of animals in private, commercial and natural contexts, then it can move ahead with the laws and other mechanisms to secure and guarantee those rights". Some suggest that advocacy needs to address the fundamental issue of responsible pet ownership to ensure those who adopt companion animals are properly prepared to provide them with lifelong care. A number of submissions support advocating for tougher laws and higher penalties for those who neglect and abuse animals. In particular, Animal Advocates Society and other individuals claim that the BC SPCA has not done enough in this area, particularly in helping tethered dogs. One submission points out that the BC SPCA needs to live up to its motto of "speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves" and demonstrate that it is not going to tolerate cruelty.
Some would like to see the BC SPCA lobby for humane food legislation, a ban of the grizzly bear hunt and address the issue of animals used in research. Also the issues of animals in entertainment, puppy mills and pet stores sales need to be addressed.
Recommendations
The BC SPCA needs to commit more effort and resources to speaking on behalf of the animals. In our view, advocacy is a powerful tool in bringing about positive change and should be a high priority for the BC SPCA.
We recommend that the BC SPCA immediately establish a welfare advisory committee to develop an advocacy agenda and set priorities. With this in mind, we recommend that each year, the BC SPCA mount advocacy campaigns around issues where change is needed. While the BC SPCA can set the framework, it is the voice of the public that brings about change. We recommend that the BC SPCA actively recruit volunteer advocates and provide them with the tools they will need to become informed about the issues and to make their voices heard. One way is to establish an advocacy page on the BC SPCA website complete with position statements on animal issues, sample letters and links to names/addresses of government representatives. Volunteers willing to advocate on behalf of the BC SPCA should be actively recruited.
Our specific recommendations call on the BC SPCA to:
Urgent
• Establish an Advocacy Advisory Group of academics, veterinarians, and representatives of other organizations - to develop an advocacy agenda and set priorities.

• Actively recruit volunteer advocates.
Short-term
• Create an Advocacy web page that provides volunteer advocates with the necessary information and tools to support BC SPCA advocacy initiatives.

• Develop an advocacy/campaign plan for 2002 around two issues that need change.