SPCA lottery marks grim anniversary
By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on February 1, 2025.
Herald file photo by Ian Martens
Val Allen, Anita Virginillo and her dog Maya, and Kerry King were part of a small group of demonstrators representing Lethbridge Animal Rights Effort who rallied in 2015 as a Milk River-area woman charged with animal cruelty made her first appearance at the Lethbridge court house.LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com
The Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is marking the 10th anniversary of one of the largest seizures in their history with a refreshed cash lottery named the Animal Heroes Lottery and 50/50 raffle.
In 2015, the Alberta SPCA and other partners removed more than 200 severely matted and emaciated dogs from one property in the Milk River area.
Heroes from across Alberta rallied to help care for the animals, through financial support, in kind donations, and by adopting the dogs. The case remains the single largest seizure of dogs from one property in Alberta SPCA history.
Dan Kobe, director of communications for the Alberta SPCA, explains that the society is responsible for the enforcement of the Animal Protection Act in Alberta in all areas of the province outside of Calgary and Edmonton.
“We employ peace officers that enforce the Animal Protection Act, and they respond to complaints throughout the province on a daily basis, of animals in distress and their job is to relief the distress of those animals,” says Kobe.
He says that about half of their calls involve livestock and the other half involves companion animals such as dogs and cats.
“The most common complaints would be lack of food and water, lack of veterinary care when an animal is sick or injured, in some cases a lack of proper shelter, although that is less of a concern when it comes to livestock but more for companion animals,” says Kobe.
When it comes to enforcement, Kobe says they have 10 peace officers throughout the province that have enforcement abilities and can lay charges under the animal protection act.
“The first step in most investigation is to check on the animals, obviously, if there are issues, we offer education before enforcement,” says Kobe. “We’ll provide the animal’s owner with information about what they can or need to do to improve conditions for their animals.”
He says there are some situations when the peace officers arrive and the situation is dire, and they will begin to take steps to take the animals into care immediately.
“But most of the time we are able to provide information to the owner in care and most of the owners take steps to improve conditions for their animals,” says Kobe.
When it comes to their lottery, Kobe explains that “The Animal Heroes Lottery” was rebranded to reflect the contributions lottery ticket purchasers continue to make towards the rescue and rehoming of neglected animals across the province.
“It was rebranded so when people buy a ticket, they understand that they are directly contributing to the overall health and well-being of animals across the province,” says Kobe.
He says approximately 80 per cent of Alberta SPCA funding comes from generous supporters through donations and the purchase of lottery and 50/50 tickets.
He adds that The Alberta SPCA Animal Heroes Lottery offers affordable tickets and cash prizes, as well as the knowledge that your purchase directly helps both livestock and companion animals across the province. Albertans can purchase tickets securely at AnimalHeroesLottery.ca.
Kobe says that while not as large as the Milk River file, unfortunately the Alberta SPCA continues to face large seizures and surrenders every month. As a result, approximately 900 animals came into care in 2024, including 86 livestock and companion animals from Mountain View County last spring and 72 dogs from Brazeau County in November.
Anyone who would like to contact the SPCA to report an animal in distress can call the animal protection line at 1(800) 455-9003.
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