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.
67%
CENTS TO THE CAUSE
For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 67 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 a B+ results reporting grade, which is above average. Its reserve funds could cover almost three years of its annual program costs. For every dollar donated, 67 cents are available to go to the cause, within 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 the fiscal year ending September 2025, BC SPCA reported helping 135,161 animals and spent $39.1m on its programs.
Shelter and Kennelling represented 51% ($20.0m) of program costs in F2025. BC SPCA provides safe shelter, emergency care, and adoption support for animals in need. In F2025, 14,544 homeless animals received care and shelter, including over 6,000 nights of emergency pet boarding. Through its Pet Food Bank program, the charity distributed 722,813 meals. BC SPCA also registered 28,016 lost pets in the BC Pet Registry to help reunite animals with their families. Additionally, it transported 4,972 animals through its Drive for Lives program, which moves animals from overcrowded areas to communities where adoption opportunities are better.
Medical Care represented 24% ($9.4m) of program costs in F2025. BC SPCA provides veterinary treatment and spay/neuter services for animals in need. In F2025, the BC SPCA treated 19,508 animals through its veterinary services and carried out 12,954 spay/neuter surgeries for homeless and community animals. It also provided care for 2,182 injured and orphaned wild animals.
Animal Protection represented 14% of program costs ($5.6m) in F2025. BC SPCA responds to reports of animal cruelty and, in some cases, removes animals from harmful situations. In 2025, BC SPCA protection officers helped 35,592 animals. They also carried out 95 warrants and made 28 charge submissions to Crown counsel against people who committed acts of animal cruelty.
Education and Advocacy represented 11% ($4.1m) of program costs in F2025. The charity educates people on animal protection and advocates to the government for improved animal rights. In F2025, the charity undertook 25 major advocacy campaigns and submitted 7 policy recommendations to improve the lives of animals. Its educational work in camps and schools reached more than 13,170 youths.
My anchor
Results and Impact
In F2025, BC SPCA reached 135,161 animals and spent $57.3m. This works out to a cost of about $424 per animal reached in F2025.
The Shelter and Kennelling program helped 10,191 animals get adopted and reunited 1,390 lost animals with their guardians. The Medical Care program provided 12,954 spay/neuter surgeries for homeless and community animals. The Animal Protection program removed 1,866 animals from dangerous or neglectful situations.
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
The audited financial statements of the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals use activity-based costing, which is a best practice. The charity’s F2024 audited financial statements restated its F2023 financial reporting. The numbers shown for F2023 are the restated values.
In F2025, BC SPCA received $49.6m in donations, which represents 72% of total revenue. It also received $7.7m in program fees, $5.0m in investment income, and $3.5m in government funding.
BC SPCA spent $39.1m on its programs in F2025, which represents 57% of total revenue. The charity ended the year with a surplus of $11.9m (17% of revenue).
Fundraisings costs were $10.4m (21% of donations) and administrative costs were $7.8m (12% of revenue, excluding investment income). Total overhead spending was 33%, meaning that for every dollar received, 67 cents are available to go to the cause.
At the end of F2025, BC SPCA had $115.6m in funding reserves (cash and investments). This could cover almost three years of its annual program costs.
BC SPCA uses external fundraisers. In F2025, the charity paid fundraisers $761k to collect $998k. It cost 76 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 $5.0m, 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.
Updated on June 24, 2026 by Ava Anderson.
Financial Review
Fiscal year ending September
|
2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative costs as % of revenues | 12.1% | 13.2% | 9.9% |
| Fundraising costs as % of donations | 21.0% | 24.6% | 22.7% |
| Total overhead spending | 33.1% | 37.8% | 32.7% |
| Program cost coverage (%) | 290.1% | 259.5% | 260.7% |
Summary Financial StatementsAll figures in $000s |
2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 49,559 | 38,887 | 38,343 |
| Government funding | 3,495 | 4,121 | 16,392 |
| Fees for service | 7,749 | 10,260 | 10,154 |
| Lotteries (net) | 4,961 | 4,519 | 4,108 |
| Investment income | 4,958 | 9,724 | 4,573 |
| Other income | (1,548) | (1,235) | 712 |
| Total revenues | 69,174 | 66,276 | 74,282 |
| Program costs | 39,092 | 41,168 | 39,108 |
| Grants | 0 | 47 | 47 |
| Administrative costs | 7,777 | 7,461 | 6,922 |
| Fundraising costs | 10,413 | 9,578 | 8,720 |
| Total spending | 57,282 | 58,254 | 54,797 |
| Cash flow from operations | 11,892 | 8,022 | 19,485 |
| Capital spending | 14,010 | 2,301 | 1,140 |
| Funding reserves | 115,649 | 109,152 | 103,952 |
Note: 1. Deferred Revenue: Ci included deferred revenue within other revenue, as the charity did not disclose the source. This affected revenue by ($1.5m) in F2025, ($1.2m) in F2024, and $712k in F2023. 2. Unrealized Gains: Ci included unrealized gains within investment income, which was reported below the line. This was $758k in F2025, $5.0m in F2024, and $891k in F2023.
Salary Information
$350k + |
0 |
$300k - $350k |
1 |
$250k - $300k |
1 |
$200k - $250k |
4 |
$160k - $200k |
4 |
$120k - $160k |
0 |
$80k - $120k |
0 |
$40k - $80k |
0 |
< $40k |
0 |
Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2025
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