Carol Baldwin
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Wakaw Recorder
“Animal welfare is a priority for our government,” Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison said. “I am grateful for the collaboration and expertise that the APSS brought to their work in ensuring the safety and welfare of all animals in the province over the last decade.”
Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan (APSS) currently provides animal welfare enforcement for the entire province, except for the city of Regina, where the Regina Humane Society provides enforcement. Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan Inc. was incorporated in 2015, taking up the enforcement of Saskatchewan’s Animal Protection Act that was historically performed by the Investigative Services division of the Saskatchewan SPCA. With the current APSS contract set to expire on March 31, 2026, and the non-profit deciding against renewal, the Ministry of Agriculture opened a Request for Proposal competition on sasktenders.ca on November 3rd to allow organizations to consider involvement in animal welfare enforcement. The ministry will work through the process to contract a new service provider to begin providing services as of April 1, 2026. Meanwhile, the announcement read, the ministry will “continue to work with APSS and all concerned parties to support a smooth transition of animal welfare enforcement services in the province.”
Beginning in the 1970s, the SaskSPCA handled enforcement of The Animal Protection Act across the province, employed skilled Animal Protection Officers to investigate reports of animal cruelty in locations outside the four largest cities of Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, and Moose Jaw, and devoted considerable effort to building a strong and effective enforcement program. Still, they were always keenly aware that more could be done to prevent animal cruelty.
In 2014, the Board of Directors decided not to renew its contract with the Ministry of Agriculture. The Board believed it was the right time to shift its focus towards education and other areas, such as preventing animal cruelty, where it could have a significant impact on animal welfare. Today, the SaskSPCA continues to develop and introduce new programs while expanding existing ones. Through partnerships with provincial organizations such as STOPS to Violence and the Provincial Association of Transition Houses & Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS), the SaskSPCA raises awareness of the complex relationship between interpersonal violence and animal abuse.
The news that APSS would not continue in its current role came as the province announced that legislative amendments to Saskatchewan’s Animal Protection Act would be introduced during this legislative sitting. No word on the future of APSS has been made public.
Earlier this year, the ministry conducted consultations with service providers, producer groups, and other stakeholders. These discussions revealed the need for legislative adjustments to ensure that regulations remain current, effective, and are enforced consistently, fairly, and affordably across the province. Key areas identified for updates include enhanced reporting requirements for agencies offering animal protection services, strengthened enforcement provisions, and increased oversight of the authority held by animal protection officers. The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to improving enforcement practices to align with the evolving expectations of Saskatchewan residents regarding animal welfare amongst livestock producers, companion animal owners, and the broader community, and to promote greater public transparency.
The notice from the Animal Protection Services Saskatchewan (APSS) presents an opportunity for the ministry to collaborate with a service provider under a new legislative framework. Together, they will develop a sustainable enforcement model that meets trade market standards while prioritizing animal welfare. Through this commitment, the government aims to foster a culture of responsible animal care and welfare throughout the province.
The Ministry of Agriculture administers the province’s animal protection framework, comprised of The Animal Protection Act, 2018 and The Animal Protection Regulations, 2018, which address the welfare of both livestock and companion animals in the province. As per the legislative framework, the ministry has the authority to designate animal protection agencies, set training requirements, establish standards of care for animals and is responsible for the overall administration of the Act. According to APSS statistics, most complaints are about companion animals, such as dogs and cats. On the livestock side, there have been some large cattle seizures within the last 10 years, but Provincial Chief Veterinary Officer Stephanie Smith said most complaints are related to horses. Smith said the coming amendments will broaden the government’s options on how it delivers animal welfare enforcement, and that delivery has to be consistent, transparent and accountable among all agencies.
The Saskatchewan Marshals Service has been gradually phasing in its services, and according to Smith, in an interview with Karen Briere from Western Producer, these services will include handling complaints related to animal neglect or cruelty. The government’s amendments will also streamline processes for agencies enforcing the legislation. Smith noted that the changes will enhance the ability to rescue animals in distress and address obstacles that could delay investigations.
The Animal Protection Act, 2018, is the Saskatchewan law that protects animals from abuse and distress.
The Act states that:
- No person shall cause an animal to be in distress.
- No person responsible for an animal shall cause or permit the animal to be or continue to be in distress.
An animal is considered in distress if it is:
deprived of food or water sufficient to maintain the animal in a state of good health;
deprived of care or shelter;
deprived of veterinary care or medical attention;
in need of reasonable protection from injurious heat or cold;
wounded, ill, in pain, suffering, abused or neglected;
kept in conditions that are unsanitary; will significantly impair the animal’s health or well-being over time; cause the animal anxiety or suffering; or contravene the prescribed standards, codes of practice or guidelines;
abandoned by its owner or by a person responsible for the animal in a manner that causes, or is likely to cause, distress resulting from any or all the factors listed
A list of “Codes of Practice” that describe acceptable care standards for animals can be found in the Animal Protection Act Regulations found on the Government of Saskatchewan website by following the tab for Publications Centre/Office of the King’s Printer/Animal Protection Act, 2018, A-21.(https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/90971)
