The New Brunswick SPCA says 2024 was its busiest year ever, according to its annual report.
The organization received 4,611 calls involving animals in distress. That’s an 8.5 per cent increase from the previous year and the highest volume in its 145-year history.
Of those calls, 3,092 were related to animal protection and 1,519 involved animal control.
Chief Animal Officer Tony Porter said most cases involved wellness checks, lack of food or shelter, and animals receiving little or no medical care.
Porter said officers dealt with some of the most serious cruelty cases they’ve ever seen. One investigation led to the conviction of a woman responsible for the death of 13 horses.
She was banned for life from owning animals, placed on supervised probation and ordered to pay $7,851 in restitution. Five surviving horses from the case are now in good health. Two recently competed at a horse show in Sussex.
Another case involved a man who dragged two dogs behind a bicycle for more than 15 kilometres on one of the hottest days of the year. One of the dogs died from heat exhaustion.
The man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to house arrest, probation and a court order limiting his ability to own animals.
Two more trials are scheduled for 2025. One involved seven horses found in poor condition, three of which were deceased.
The other includes a donkey, ponies, goats and pigs. Charges have been laid under both the SPCA Act and the Criminal Code of Canada.
Shelters under pressure as demand grows
Executive Director Lesley Rogers said the growing number of cases is putting pressure on shelters and staff.
“Unfortunately, more animals in New Brunswick are suffering neglect, abandonment and abuse than ever before,” Rogers said in the annual report.
“We cannot continue to respond at this scale without long-term solutions. Several shelters are already overwhelmed and at risk of closing their doors.”
The NBSPCA enforces provincial animal protection laws and investigates allegations of cruelty and neglect.
In 2024, 22 cases resulted in charges under provincial and federal law. Seventeen more cases are still before the courts.
The organization also expanded its preventative efforts through the Happy Tails Fund. Launched in 2023, the program helps low-income families access spay and neuter procedures and emergency veterinary care.
In its first year, the fund supported more than 320 animals. The NBSPCA partnered with 11 veterinary clinics and the Oromocto SPCA to deliver the program.
In the spring, the NBSPCA launched the “Your Next Pet” campaign to help future dog owners make informed choices.
The campaign encourages families to adopt from licensed breeders or shelters.
New Brunswick is currently the only province in Canada that requires pet establishment licences for breeders, shelters and boarding facilities.
Financial stability and future planning
The NBSPCA reported operating revenues of $2.97 million in 2024, up from $2.2 million the year before.
The increase came from higher government funding, donor bequests and improved investment returns, according to Board Treasurer Chris Bertin.
Expenses rose to $2.4 million, driven by staffing costs and veterinary care. After adjusting for one-time gains and gifts, Bertin said the organization would have posted a loss of $88,000.
“The Society’s long-term financial position and liquidity are currently strong,” Bertin stated.
“But without these contributions, we would be near break-even or in a loss position. We remain committed to reinvesting donated funds back into our mandate.”
NBSPCA President Scott Elliott said the organization is proud of its progress but remains concerned about the rising number of animals in crisis.
“We are grateful to our donors, who help us meet these challenges and make a difference in the lives of animals across New Brunswick,” Elliott said.
Looking ahead, the NBSPCA says it must build a more sustainable cost model to meet growing enforcement demands.
The organization is also working to strengthen fundraising and expand education and early intervention programs aimed at preventing cruelty.
