A funding boost to help keep animals safe from neglect.

The Department of Environment and Local Government announced an increase in funding for the New Brunswick SPCA by $500, 000, bringing their yearly grant to $600, 000.

It will assist in fulfilling the group’s legislative requirements to enforce the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

According to the SPCA, animal cruelty complaints have increased by nearly 20 percent over the past two years.

“This is a very important increase to our animal protection services, year in and year out, which will allow us to continue to provide a high level of professional animal protection service across the province,” said Lesley Rogers, executive director of the New Brunswick SPCA. “Animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do and this substantial increase in provincial core funding will provide a strong foundation for us to deal with the increased volume and complexity of complaints we have been receiving.”

The increased funding will help address ongoing operational cost pressures such as investigations, enforcement, follow-ups, and salaries for staff and animal protection officers.

New Brunswick is also the only province that licenses pet establishments, which include breeders, pet stores, overnight dog boarding facilities and animal shelters. This process acts as the first level of animal protection for dogs, cats and other pets. All establishments are inspected yearly by the SPCA. This ensures that pets are bred and raised in a safe and healthy environment.