Montreal, September 3, 2013 – Montreal’s SPCA, with the MAPAQ (Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) and the assistance of the Humane Society International/Canada, has seized 84 dogs from a large scale commercial breeding facility in the Monteregie region south of Montreal. This commercial breeder had already received fines for non-compliance with Quebec animal protection legislation.
The dogs are now under the custody of Montreal’s SPCA. “These dogs were living in unacceptable conditions. For example, the smell of urine and ammonia was extremely strong. And, as there was no health care, they have multiple health issues, including ear and dental problems,” said Alanna Devine, Director of Animal Advocacy, Montreal’s SPCA. “We are relieved that these dogs will now be provided with the attention and veterinary care that they so desperately need.”
In 2012 the Quebec government adopted new legislation requiring standards for the keeping and care of dogs and cats, and has announced that a permit system for facilities with over 15 dogs or cats will be introduced in the fall. “We hope to see a day where dogs are no longer suffering in puppy mills across the Province,” said Nicholas Gilman Executive Director, Montreal’s SPCA. “We believe that with improved legislation and through continuing to combine forces with other animal welfare organizations, we can put an end to puppy mills, once and for all.”
Facts:
- Puppy mills are mass-production facilities that churn out puppies for the pet trade with an emphasis on profit over animal welfare. Breeding dogs in puppy mills have no real quality of life, and are often confined to small wire cages for most of their lives with little or no socialization, exercise or veterinary care.
- In 2009, after massive public outcry regarding puppy mills and insufficient animal welfare standards in Quebec, the government pledged to address the crisis and launched a special companion animal task force under MAPAQ to identify solutions to animal welfare problems in the Province.
- Since 2008, Montreal’s SPCA has rescued hundreds of dogs from inhumane conditions in breeding facilities.
- In June 2012, the Quebec government adopted Bill 51, an act to amend the Provincial Animal Health Protection Act, which improves the safety and welfare standards of companion animals in Quebec.
- In April 2013, ANIMA-Québec announced a change of orientation, transferring its mandate of inspections and enforcement of provincial animal welfare laws to the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Please note that if and when these dogs are released and available for adoption, Montreal’s SPCA will let the public know.
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Media Contact: Alanna Devine, Director of animal advocacy, Montreal’s SPCA, 514-735-2711, ext 2245, or adevine@spcamontreal.com
About the SPCA: The Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was the first humane society in Canada, founded in Montreal in 1869. Guided by the humane ethic, it is the mission of the SPCA to:
- protect animals against negligence, abuse, and exploitation;
- represent their interests and ensure their well-being;
- raise public awareness and help develop compassion for all living beings.
Our role is to prevent cruelty to animals through a number of actions that benefit animals and humans. Visit our web site at www.spca.com.
For many years, Montreal’s SPCA has been working hard with the three levels of government (municipal, provincial and federal) to improve laws on animal protection. In 2012, our inspection service investigated 1,387 complaints and conducted the inspection of 4,645 animals, all species combined. They also removed over 100 animals as a result of their investigations and many criminal charges were laid.
