The BC SPCA is raising concerns about animal welfare and public safety in Dawson Creek after the city voted to end its municipal animal control services later this year.
The decision, approved by council at a May 11 meeting, will see the city terminate its service agreement with the SPCA effective December 1, 2026.
In a statement, the organization says the move could leave “significant gaps” in services that residents rely on, including stray animal pickup, responses to aggressive dogs and enforcement of local animal bylaws.
“We are very surprised and disappointed the City of Dawson Creek would make a decision that could leave so many gaps in the animal services available to their community members,” said Emma Hamill, Regional Manager of Sheltering for the Cariboo/North region.
Hamill says without a municipal animal control response, stray animals could go without care or shelter, while dangerous situations involving aggressive dogs may pose a risk to public safety. She also warned residents may have nowhere to turn for issues like excessive barking or nuisance animals
The SPCA adds local RCMP could face added pressure as a result.
City cites rising costs
City officials say the decision to end the agreement follows several years of financial review, with rising costs making the current model difficult to sustain.
Mayor Darcy Dober says council had to balance service expectations with long-term financial responsibility.
In 2023, the city paid the SPCA $190,000 for the year. By 2027, that number would have ballooned to over $400,000.
The city estimates ending the agreement will save approximately $300,000 annually after accounting for related revenues.
Council also looked at alternative options, including bringing the service in-house, but determined those approaches were not financially or operationally viable.
Until December 1, animal control services will continue to operate as usual, with no immediate changes for residents.
After that date, different agencies will handle various types of calls.
Animal welfare concerns like injured or neglected animals will still fall to the SPCA, while emergencies will be handled by police. Wildlife issues will be directed to provincial conservation officers, and deceased animals on city property will be handled by public works.
The city says it plans to provide updates in the coming months to help residents navigate the changes.
SPCA’s Future
While the non-profit says it will continue its core animal protection work, including investigations and sheltering, it notes those services are funded by donations and are separate from municipal animal control responsibilities.
“We do not have the financial or staffing resources to keep doing municipal animal control work without a service agreement in place,” Hamill said, adding service levels may need to be adjusted once the contract ends.
According to the SPCA, the current agreement saw 520 animal control calls in Dawson Creek in 2025, with 336 animals brought into care. Many of those calls involved animals at large, as well as noise and bylaw complaints. [
Hamill also criticized how the decision was communicated, saying staff learned about the contract ending through media reports rather than directly from leadership.