Superior Court Rules that the OSPCA Can Not Stop Review by the Animal Care
Review Board

TORONTO , Sept. 18 /CNW/ - Today, Mr. Justice Gray has cleared the way for Ontario's Animal Care Review Board (ACRB) to decide on whether the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) has the power to tell the Toronto Humane Society and its other affiliate societies, specifically their veterinarians, how to care for animals.

On June 2nd, 2009 the OSPCA effectively instructed veterinarians employed by the Toronto Humane Society how to practice veterinary medicine. The Toronto Humane Society appealed this interference to the Province's ACRB on June 8th, 2009 . The OSPCA has been blocking a hearing and independent review by the ACRB ever since.

The ACRB hearing will take place on September 22nd, 2009 .

"We are very pleased with the court's decision. We have fought hard to have an impartial review of the actions taken by the OSPCA," said Ian McConachie, Senior Communicator at the Toronto Humane Society. "The Toronto Humane Society is an independent organization and can not allow the OSPCA to continue to interfere and damage our reputation of 122 years of excellent animal care."

This issue is one of maintaining the diversity of what has been built up over generations. During the summer of 2008, contrary to the wishes of the OSPCA, The Toronto Humane Society, and its President, Tim Trow, succeeded in ensuring that the new Ontario Provincial Animal Welfare Act, 2008 did not stifle the uniqueness of each humane society across Ontario in the care of animals. At that time, Trow wrote the Hon. Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services: "Historically in Ontario, the many voices of the Provinces animal welfare movement have been its strength."

The Toronto Humane Society is a not-for-profit organization solely funded through charitable donations. Its mission is to promote the humane care and protection of all animals and to prevent cruelty and suffering.

For further information: Ian McConachie, Senior Communicator, [phone] ext. 2149, [phone], [email protected]