It's a dog's life.

• Author: Mireau, Shaunna
• Position: Animal protection

My pets have it good. They are always fed, and watered, and they have warm, safe places to sleep. They have lots of space to move around in and have the company of other animals and humans. They are not mistreated in any way. This is not the case for many pets, but thankfully, the law protects the helpless.

In Alberta, we have the Animal Protection Act.

"Prohibition against causing distress

2(1) No person shall cause or permit an animal of which the person is the owner or the person in charge to be or to continue to be in distress.

(1.1) No person shall cause an animal to be in distress.

(2) This section does not apply if the distress results from an activity carried on in accordance with the regulations or in accordance with reasonable and generally accepted practices of animal care, management, husbandry, hunting, fishing, trapping, pest control or slaughter."

"Offence

12(1) A person who contravenes this Act or the regulations is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not more than $20,000.

(2) If the owner of an animal is found guilty of an offence under section 2, the Court may make an order restraining the owner from continuing to have custody of an animal for a period of time specified by the Court.

(3) The Court may make an order under subsection (2) on any terms and conditions it considers appropriate."

Animal protection legislation is found in every province in Canada. This legislation gives humane societies the ability to operate, educate humans, and protect animals.

One of the most well-known humane societies is the SPCA. The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.spca.com) is operated on a local level, with individual locations having similar missions.

The Alberta SPCA's mission is "to have every animal in Alberta humanely treated. To accomplish this, there must be acceptance that humans are responsible for the welfare of animals; and there must be an understanding of the physical and behavioural needs of animals.

Guiding Principles

Animals are sentient beings that can experience distress, including pain, sickness and stress. The Alberta SPCA believes humans have a duty to:

* accept responsibility for the welfare of animals in their control or custody;

* protect animals from distress and to ensure their welfare;

* relieve or minimize distress to any animal whenever it occurs;

* use animals only in ways that protect them from distress;

* keep, maintain and transport animals safely, in a manner appropriate to the...