Animal Protection Officer

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM | Expires Friday, January 1, 2027 at 10:59 AM

If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:

POSITION: Animal Protection Officer (APO)

LOCATION: Vancouver Island - extensive and overnight travel, often at little to no notice, will be required
- Travels 50% of the time

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website. We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission, vision and values.

The BC SPCA is a dynamic organization with facilities and services across the province of BC. Join an expanding team in an exciting time of change in an organization that makes a difference! Please read below for additional details and let us know if you have the skills and experience, we are looking for by submitting your application.

About the Position:

This position will ensure the prompt and effective investigation of animal cruelty complaints, enforce animal cruelty legislation, treat animals humanely, with compassion and concern, and represent the BC SPCA in all matters relating to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Primary

Key Responsibilities:

• The APO is expected to carry out the full range of duties of an Animal Protection Officer relating to all Federal, and Provincial laws relevant to animals as may from time to time be agreed with those levels of government and to act at all times with good humor and compassion, portraying the image of the Society as an understanding body of individuals concerned with the welfare of each and every individual animal and with the feelings of the owners.
• To act as an Animal Protection Officer as defined in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
• Conduct or cause to be conducted, investigations into complaints of cruelty to animals.
• Shall ensure that all complaints are properly and promptly investigated and that all actions taken are recorded in sufficient detail
• To protect the welfare of all animals and the safety of the public and enforce all federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations
• To carry out cruelty investigations in an objective, effective and diplomatic manner.
• To carry out inspections of any establishment where animals are kept for sale, hire or entertainment during the normal business hours of those establishments to determine if an animal is in distress
• To respond to calls of both an emergency and non-emergency nature in an effective, efficient and caring manner.
• To give due regard, in dealing with all animal related calls, to:
• minimize the degree of suffering and reduce the chance of further injury to the animal, personal safety as well as the safety of the public
• To respond to situations using knowledge of animal behaviour, animal handling techniques and proper use of rescue equipment
• To respond promptly to such other calls as may be directed by the supervisor
• To offer expertise to assist all statutory authorities as requested
• Take custody of animals that are straying at large, abandoned or apparently ownerless
• Prepare Notices of Disposition in accordance with the PCA Act and BC SPCA policies
• Make decisions with respect to the determination of critical distress in accordance with the PCA Act
• May authorize the euthanasia of an animal determined to be in critical distress
• Investigate complaints to determine if an animal is in distress, and take whatever action necessary pursuant to the PCA Act to relieve that animal’s distress
• Make application to the Justice of the Peace for and execute search warrants in accordance with the PCA Act, Offence Act and Criminal Code
• Gather evidence to assist in the proving of elements of an offence pursuant to the PCA Act, Criminal Code and any other legislation or regulation pertaining to the prevention of cruelty to animals
• Take any action necessary…