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“Most animal-related businesses have a good relationship with the SPCA,” Ms. Cameron told the CBC, “but there are other businesses we know of in the province where there are serious concerns, and enforcement agencies can’t get access.”

As it’s usually the case whenever media cover stories that involve animals — particularly dogs and cats — that come to harm, this case has drawn wide interest across Saskatchewan. Thus it seems timely to suggest that perhaps it’s time for the government to seriously consider updating its Animal Protection Act (1999) whose regulations were last updated six years ago, and modernize its provisions to include kennelling businesses.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund in 2015 ranked Saskatchewan’s legislation in 10th place across Canada, ahead only of the territories and Quebec, pointing to everything from the need for broader inspection powers for animal protection officers to broadening the range of protections to narrowing activity/use-based exemptions.

Surely, in legislation that already includes codes of practice for the care of farm animals ranging from dairy cattle to chickens, mink and even foxes, there can be room to include kennel operators required to heed a code of practice as suggested by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

Perhaps it’s in keeping with this province’s agricultural roots that its animal protection laws tend to be focused on treating them as property. While the need for practicality is understandable, so is the need for modern legislation that can protect animals and include properly regulated pet care.

While it’s incumbent on families to ask questions be satisfied that a kennel will provide their beloved pets with proper care, it also shouldn’t be a crap shoot when it comes to expecting a basic standard.