
- Be aware.
- Learn to recognize Animal Cruelty.
- Know who to call to report animal cruelty.
- Provide as much information as possible when reporting animal cruelty.
- Call or write your local law enforcement department.
- Know your animal cruelty laws, Saskatchewan Animal Protection Act and Animals in the Law.
- Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws.
- Set a good example for others.
- Talk to your kids about how to treat animals with kindness and respect.
- Support your local shelter and animal rescue organizations.
Reporting Abuse/Neglect . . .
Domesticated animals depend on their owners and caregivers to provide for their basic needs: food, water, shelter and care. Animals that do not have these basic needs met are in distress, and are unable to help themselves.
We rely on the citizens of Saskatchewan to report incidents of animal abuse and neglect so that we can help the animals. Every complaint that is received by the ANIMAL PROTECTION SERVICE will be investigated by an Animal Protection Officer as soon as possible.
If you suspect animal abuse/neglect contact the ANIMAL PROTECTION SERVICE at this toll free number: 1-844-382-0002. Your Rural or City Police are also Animal Protection Officers, please call if animal(s) is/are in immediate distress: Rural, 306-786-4500 or City, 306-786-2400.
You can help their investigation by providing as many details as possible about the animals(s), including:
We rely on the citizens of Saskatchewan to report incidents of animal abuse and neglect so that we can help the animals. Every complaint that is received by the ANIMAL PROTECTION SERVICE will be investigated by an Animal Protection Officer as soon as possible.
If you suspect animal abuse/neglect contact the ANIMAL PROTECTION SERVICE at this toll free number: 1-844-382-0002. Your Rural or City Police are also Animal Protection Officers, please call if animal(s) is/are in immediate distress: Rural, 306-786-4500 or City, 306-786-2400.
You can help their investigation by providing as many details as possible about the animals(s), including:
- type & number of animals
- physical description of animals
- what access do animals have to food, water, shelter and care
- location of animals
- name of owner/caregiver
What is Cruelty?
Cruelty is causing or allowing an animal to be in distress willfully or by negligence.
Section 2 <2> of The Animal Protection Act states that an animal is in distress if it is:
• Deprived of adequate food, water, care, or shelter
• Injured, sick, in pain, or suffering
• Abused or neglected
There are several forms of cruelty.
Lack of food, water, or shelter - By law, the person in charge of an animal must provide suitable and adequate food, water, and shelter. Adequate shelter must be available to protect the animal from outdoor elements. Animals must have shelter to provide relief from sun, extreme heat or cold, rain, snow and wind.
Failure to provide care - If an animal needs veterinary care, it must be provided within a reasonable period of time.
Abandoned animals - An animal abandoned without care is also a concern.
Physically abused animals - We investigate reports of assaulted animals, including poisonings.
Neglected animals - Animals must not be deprived of adequate care, be in pain or be suffering. The current laws do not require owners to socialize their animals or take them for walks. The animal's emotional distress is difficult to evaluate and harder to record. APO's are able to investigate such things as unsanitary living conditions and the inability to exhibit normal physical posture or movement, such as being kept in an inappropriately sized enclosure or tethered by a short chain length.
An Animal Protection Officer, under the Animal Protection Act, can:
• Investigate complaints of neglect, cruelty, and animals in distress
• Obtain a search warrant to gain access to animals for the purpose of investigating possible distress situations
• Take appropriate action to relieve an animal in distress, including seizing the animal, where the owner has not taken appropriate action
• Inspect, without a warrant, during ordinary business hours, any premises other than a private dwelling where animals are kept for sale, hire or exhibition
An Officer cannot:
• Prevent someone from owning animals unless that person is convicted of an offence
• Prosecute someone for an offence without evidence
Cruelty is causing or allowing an animal to be in distress willfully or by negligence.
Section 2 <2> of The Animal Protection Act states that an animal is in distress if it is:
• Deprived of adequate food, water, care, or shelter
• Injured, sick, in pain, or suffering
• Abused or neglected
There are several forms of cruelty.
Lack of food, water, or shelter - By law, the person in charge of an animal must provide suitable and adequate food, water, and shelter. Adequate shelter must be available to protect the animal from outdoor elements. Animals must have shelter to provide relief from sun, extreme heat or cold, rain, snow and wind.
Failure to provide care - If an animal needs veterinary care, it must be provided within a reasonable period of time.
Abandoned animals - An animal abandoned without care is also a concern.
Physically abused animals - We investigate reports of assaulted animals, including poisonings.
Neglected animals - Animals must not be deprived of adequate care, be in pain or be suffering. The current laws do not require owners to socialize their animals or take them for walks. The animal's emotional distress is difficult to evaluate and harder to record. APO's are able to investigate such things as unsanitary living conditions and the inability to exhibit normal physical posture or movement, such as being kept in an inappropriately sized enclosure or tethered by a short chain length.
An Animal Protection Officer, under the Animal Protection Act, can:
• Investigate complaints of neglect, cruelty, and animals in distress
• Obtain a search warrant to gain access to animals for the purpose of investigating possible distress situations
• Take appropriate action to relieve an animal in distress, including seizing the animal, where the owner has not taken appropriate action
• Inspect, without a warrant, during ordinary business hours, any premises other than a private dwelling where animals are kept for sale, hire or exhibition
An Officer cannot:
• Prevent someone from owning animals unless that person is convicted of an offence
• Prosecute someone for an offence without evidence