Saskatchewan introduces new animal welfare enforcement agency

The Saskatchewan Animal Enforcement Agency takes over enforcing animal welfare laws, except in Regina, on April 1. Sierra D’Souza Butts reports.

A new animal welfare enforcement agency in Saskatchewan will begin operations this spring.

On Monday, the Government of Saskatchewan announced that the Saskatchewan Animal Enforcement Agency (SAEA) will take responsibility for the safety and welfare of all animals in the province on April 1.

“Our government’s new partnership with the Saskatchewan Animal Enforcement Agency continues to ensure animal welfare enforcement in our province,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said in a news release.

“Together, we are looking to the future of animal protection that continues to deliver effective and compassionate enforcement for Saskatchewan residents and their animals.”

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A small group of volunteers in Stoughton, who help trap, neuter and care for feral cats and dogs, said one of the biggest challenges they faces every day is the lack of animal protection officers available in rural communities.

“It’s harder in rural-like communities for officers to come out because it’s a longer drive and say it’s just one animal, it’s still a huge priority, but it’s harder for them,” said Cheyenne Mitchell, a volunteer with 9th Life Cat Rescue.

In addition to helping animal lovers with their pets, the group also provides advice to people who need support.

“A lot of communities want me to come out and just deal with their problems, but we’re primarily into educating communities, the towns and their board members as to how to deal with the feral cats,” explained Darcey Berkowski, president and director of operations of the organization.

Because the organization solely relies on volunteers and donations to stay afloat, Berkowski said it is difficult funding its operations.

With the government’s new agency being implemented, Berkowski said he hopes it can provide more support to local rescue groups such as his own.

“We’re curious to see where the government’s going to go with the next steps on this new legislation, but we definitely need more officers out in the field to check in on the animals,” he said.

SAEA will be replacing the Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan (APSS), which is set to cease operations on March 31, 2026. Following APSS’s decision to dissolve, the Ministry of Agriculture opened a public competition for a new service provider, resulting in the SAEA’s selection.

The SAEA will enforce services under the province’s Animal Protection Act, excluding the City of Regina, which is serviced by the Regina Humane Society.

The Sask. SPCA, which acted as the province’s animal welfare enforcement agency for years, shared its enthusiasm about the announcement.

“We’re looking at this as a learning opportunity really,” said executive director Josh Hourie. “This is a new agency that has been tasked with this tremendous responsibility and we look forward to learning more about them as time goes on.”

With the role facing many challenges, Hourie said he hopes to see improved training be implemented for animal protection officers, along with improving their response times.

“Anytime that there are large scale animal seizures, the amount of resources that are required to go in and remove animals that have been in dire situations. Those are always challenging,” he explained.

“Any time that you are having to just remov[e] an animal from a home. That animal is often viewed as a family member. How do you delicately handle a situation like that?”

“The Saskatchewan Animal Enforcement Agency looks forward to working with the Ministry of Agriculture as well as other external stakeholders in the province,” board chair Chief Russ Austin stated.

“The SAEA was created with the focus of delivering education and enforcement services with integrity, professionalism and transparency in all that we do.”

In 2025, the ministry of agriculture held public consultations in effort to strengthen the protection of animals by creating a new animal welfare inspector position and establishing a code of conduct for animal protection officers.

As a result, the province introduced The Animal Protection Amendment Act, 2025.