1-833-9-ANIMAL (264625) (Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre)
Call this number if an animal (for example, a pet, farm animal, or wild animal in captivity) is in distress or being neglected. This includes animals that:
Find a BC SPCA location in your area: Postal Code…
If you’re concerned that an animal may be in distress, call us. Your actions could help save an animal, and you may also be protecting children or adults at risk of being harmed.
To report an animal in distress (farm animals, domestic animals and wildlife), please call the BC SPCA Animal Helpline: 1-855-622-7722, open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days per week. Closed on Statutory holidays except for wildlife calls in the South Vancouver Island Region (Wild ARC) from 8 to 4:30 p.m.
If this is an animal emergency outside of these hours, please contact your local police department , RCMP or the Conservation Officer Service (RAPP).
Generally, individuals who believe an animal is being mistreated cannot lawfully take the animal away from the animal’s “owner” though sometimes offering to purchase an animal works to get the animal out of a bad situation. Transfer of “ownership” agreements should be in writing to help avoid disputes in the future. Some SPCA’s (societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals) enforce animal cruelty/neglect laws so they should be contacted. The police can be contacted as well. People who violate these laws may be prosecuted and their animals may be seized by law enforcement officers.
A friend of mine told me that his roommate is completely neglecting his Husky. His roommate never feeds or takes his dog outside at all (my friend does it for him). He has also told me that the dog has shown signs of being physically abused as well. He says that his roommate is moving in a month and is bringing the dog with him, but I was wondering if we would be allowed to take the dog from him. Animal control has been called, but they did nothing, and this dog is not chipped either. We really want to rescue this dog from this abusive person.
PLEASE NOTE: Responses to legal inquiries are not meant to replace seeking legal advice from an attorney in your state. The materials in this website and any responses to questions are for informational purposes only and are not intended, nor should they be construed, as legal advice. This website, the information contained herein, and any responses to questions directed to this column are not intended to create and do not establish an attorney-client relationship. You should not rely or act upon any information provided on this website or in any response to your inquiry without seeking the advice of an attorney in your state regarding the facts of your specific situation.
What to do if you see a neglected pet?
If you’re concerned that an animal may be in distress, call us. Your actions could help save an animal, and you may also be protecting children or adults at risk of being harmed.
To report an animal in distress (farm animals, domestic animals and wildlife), please call the BC SPCA Animal Helpline: 1-855-622-7722, open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days per week. Closed on Statutory holidays except for wildlife calls in the South Vancouver Island Region (Wild ARC) from 8 to 4:30 p.m.
If this is an animal emergency outside of these hours, please contact your local police department , RCMP or the Conservation Officer Service (RAPP).