BC SPCA
STAR RATINGCi's Star Rating is calculated based on the following independent metrics: |
✔+
FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
Audited financial statements for current and previous years available on the charity’s website.
B+
RESULTS REPORTING
Grade based on the charity's public reporting of the work it does and the results it achieves.
n/r
DEMONSTRATED IMPACT
The demonstrated impact per dollar Ci calculates from available program information.
NEED FOR FUNDING
Charity's cash and investments (funding reserves) relative to how much it spends on programs in most recent year.
62%
CENTS TO THE CAUSE
For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 62 cents are available for programs.
My anchor
OVERVIEW
About BC SPCA:
British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a 4-star charity. It has an B+ Results Reporting, which is above average. It holds reserves that can cover 2 years and 7 months of its program costs. For every dollar donated, 62 cents are available to go to the cause, which is outside Ci's reasonable range.
Founded in 1895, British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) works to protect and improve the quality of life of domestic, farm, and wild animals in British Columbia. It aims to create a world where all animals can access basic needs and live free of suffering. In fiscal 2024 (year ended September), BC SPCA reports helping 167,890 animals. In F2024, BC SPCA spent $41.2m on its programs.
Shelter and Kennelling represented 51% ($21.1m) of program costs in F2024. BC SPCA provides shelter to animals in need and helps animals get adopted. In F2024, BC SPCA provided 15,970 animals with emergency care and shelter. The charity also found homes for 11,174 animals and reunited 1,192 lost pets with their guardians. BC SPCA assisted 35 families who fostered 46 animals for a total of 1,299 nights in F2024. Its Pet Food Bank program distributed 97,466 kilograms of dry pet food and litter and 73,826 cans of wet pet food.
Medical Care represented 12% ($5.3m) of program costs in F2024. The charity provides medical care and spay/neuter surgeries for animals in need. In F2024, BC SPCA provided care for 15,970 animals and completed 13,620 spay/neuter surgeries for 13,620 homeless and community animals. In F2024, BC SPCA cared for 2,043 injured and orphaned wild animals.
Animal Protection represented 13% of program costs ($5.1m) in F2024. BC SPCA responds to animal cruelty claims and in some cases removes animals from harmful situations. In F2024, BC SPCA officers conducted 7,651 investigations, which helped 76,384 animals.
Vet Hospitals and Clinics represented 12% ($4.8m) of program costs in F2024. BC SPCA provided veterinary services for 20,810 in F2024.
Education and Advocacy represented 10% ($4.3m) of program costs in F2024. The charity educates people on animal protection and advocates to the government for improved animal rights. In F2024, the charity launched 11 major advocacy campaigns and submitted 25 policy recommendations to improve the lives of animals. The charity’s "Take Action" webpage received 216,127 visits in F2024. Its Education work connected with 8,488 students in B.C. schools.
The remaining 2% ($654k) of program costs went toward its Animal Health program.
My anchor
Results and Impact
BC SPCA reached 167,890 animals and spent $58.3m in F2024. The cost per animal reached was $347 in F2024.
The Shelter and Kenneling program helped 11,174 animals find new homes and reunited 1,912 animals with their guardians. The Medical Care program provided 13,620 spay/neuter surgeries for homeless and community animals. The Animal Protection program removed 1,637 animals from dangerous or neglectful situations. As a result of BC SPCA’s Advocacy, the provincial NDP government accepted BC SPCA’s recommendation regarding pet-friendly housing as part of its platform.
While Ci highlights these key results, they may not be a complete representation of BC SPCA’s results and impact.
This charity is not yet rated on impact. This shows as n/r and it does not affect the star rating.
My anchor
Finances
BC SPCA’s audited financial statements use activity-based costing, which is a best practice. Ci used the charity’s T3010 to report government funding. The charity’s F2024 audited financial statements restated its F2023 financial reporting. The numbers shown for F2023 are the restated values.
In F2024, BC SPCA received $38.9m in donations and $10.3m in program fees. BC SPCA also received $4.1m in government funding. The charity spent $41.2m on its programs, which is 62% of revenue, and recorded a surplus of $5.7m after capital expenditures, which is 9% of revenue.
BC SPCA spent $9.6m on fundraising, which is 25% of donations, and $7.5m on administration, which is 13% of revenue (excluding investment income). Total overhead spending is 38%. For every dollar donated, 62 cents are available to go to the cause, which is outside of Ci’s reasonable range.
BC SPCA has $109.2m in reserve funds (cash and investments), of which $2.5m are donor endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity’s reserves can cover 2 years and 7 months of its annual program costs. This is within Ci’s reasonable range.
The charity’s $109.2m in reserves returned $9.7m, at a 9% rate of return. Over the past five years the charity’s investments averaged a 4% rate of return.
BC SPCA uses external fundraisers. In F2024, the charity paid fundraisers $719k to collect $903k. It costs 80 cents to raise a dollar through external fundraisers. It is likely more cost efficient to donate directly to the charity.
BC SPCA ran a lottery that returned $4.5m, net of expenses, although the charity did not report lottery expenses.
This charity profile is an update that has been sent to British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for review.
Update on July 3, 2025 by Liam Chapleau.
Financial Review
Fiscal year ending September
|
2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative costs as % of revenues | 13.2% | 9.9% | 9.1% |
| Fundraising costs as % of donations | 24.6% | 22.7% | 13.6% |
| Total overhead spending | 37.8% | 32.7% | 22.8% |
| Program cost coverage (%) | 259.5% | 260.7% | 269.6% |
Summary Financial StatementsAll figures in $000s |
2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 38,887 | 38,343 | 54,776 |
| Government funding | 4,121 | 16,392 | 4,190 |
| Fees for service | 10,260 | 10,154 | 6,209 |
| Lotteries (net) | 4,519 | 4,108 | 4,252 |
| Investment income | 9,724 | 4,573 | (3,617) |
| Other income | (1,235) | 712 | (11,769) |
| Total revenues | 66,276 | 74,282 | 54,041 |
| Program costs | 41,168 | 39,108 | 31,363 |
| Grants | 47 | 47 | 32 |
| Administrative costs | 7,461 | 6,922 | 5,258 |
| Fundraising costs | 9,578 | 8,720 | 7,473 |
| Other costs | 0 | 0 | 751 |
| Total spending | 58,254 | 54,797 | 44,877 |
| Cash flow from operations | 8,022 | 19,485 | 9,164 |
| Capital spending | 2,301 | 1,140 | 860 |
| Funding reserves | 109,152 | 103,952 | 86,344 |
Note: 1. Deferred Revenue: Ci included deferred revenue within other revenue, as the charity did not disclose the source. This affected revenue by ($1.2m) in F2024, $712k in F2023, and ($11.8m) in F2022. 2. Unrealized Gains: Ci included unrealized gains within investment income, which was reported below the line. This was $5.0m in F2024, $891k in F2023, and ($nil) in F2022.
Salary Information
$350k + |
0 |
$300k - $350k |
1 |
$250k - $300k |
0 |
$200k - $250k |
5 |
$160k - $200k |
4 |
$120k - $160k |
0 |
$80k - $120k |
0 |
$40k - $80k |
0 |
< $40k |
0 |
Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2024
My anchor
Comments & Contact
Comments added by the Charity:
Comment updated on August 12, 2025:
The BC SPCA is the largest animal welfare organization of our kind in North America and the largest animal sheltering society in the world. Supported by compassionate animal lovers, we help more than 150,000 vulnerable animals each year. The BC SPCA is the only animal welfare organization that provides both animal sheltering and can enforce laws related to animal cruelty in BC with authority granted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
To further protect vulnerable animals so we can actualize a world where animals and people thrive together, the BC SPCA’s programming has expanded beyond vital protection and sheltering services to also providing services in communities so animals can remain with their families. This includes low income spay/neuter programs, food bank outreach for pet food and supplies, emergency boarding, and a Safekeepers Program for individuals fleeing interpersonal violence.
We operate number community animal centres across the province, a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Southern Vancouver Island, four veterinary clinics, three large animal recovery and adoption barns, and a provincial office. We have also just broken ground on our Vancouver Island Animal Community Centre, aiming to support the growing number of animals coming into our care with behavioural issues so that they can find loving homes.
To help the BC SPCA prevent cruelty toward animals, we engage our kind supporters to raise their voices to advocate for policy changes and corporate responsibility that addresses the root causes of animal suffering. Animal Protection Officers and BC SPCA staff also work to educate people and communities on how to better care for animals and live in harmony with wildlife. This includes comprehensive youth education programs including a provincial Kids Club, school presentations, teacher curriculum units, youth summer camps and workshops.
The BC SPCA is almost entirely funded by private donations. Federal government support is limited to employment grants and we do not receive operational funding from the Government of British Columbia, although we have received $22m in capital since 2015 to fund the replacement of aging facilities. Much of the BC SPCA’s reserve funding is designated by donors for specific future projects or capital endeavours. As we continue to increase our capacity for animals in most need through the building of important infrastructure like the Vancouver Island Behavioural Centre, the kind support from these animal lovers has been vital. Our reserve fund also ensures the BC SPCA can be there for vulnerable animals and their humans into the future, no matter what is happening in the wider world that may have impacts on future revenue streams.
The BC SPCA is one of 237 Canadian charities accredited by Imagine Canada, including being the first animal welfare organization to become accredited, for demonstrated excellence in financial accountability and transparency, board governance, fundraising, staff management and volunteer involvement.
We encourage supporters to discover more about the BC SPCA’s work by visiting spca.bc.ca and signing up to receive updates right in their inboxes. We are grateful for the compassion of our animal loving community!
Charity Contact
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 604-681-7271