New documents have revealed that the province of Ontario has failed to collect the vast majority of money owed by individuals accused of animal abuse.
According to data obtained through freedom-of-information requests, more than $9 million remains unpaid, raising concerns about enforcement and accountability.
Millions Charged, But Little Collected
Since 2019, Ontario has billed animal owners $10.6 million for the care of animals seized during cruelty investigations. These charges are issued by Animal Welfare Services to cover costs such as shelter, food, and medical treatment while animals are in protective custody.
However, the Ministry of Finance Ontario has only recovered about $1.02 million, meaning over 90% of the funds remain outstanding.
This low recovery rate has sparked criticism from advocacy groups and political leaders alike.
Role of Animal Welfare Services
The current system was introduced in 2019 after the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals stepped away from enforcing animal cruelty laws.
Since then, the provincial government has operated Animal Welfare Services, employing around 100 inspectors to investigate cases involving pets, farm animals, and animals in facilities such as zoos and aquariums.
When animals are seized, owners are issued a “statement of account” outlining the costs incurred during the investigation and care period.
Government Response and Collection Efforts
Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner acknowledged the issue and said he would look into the uncollected funds.
The Ministry of Finance has stated that it uses various collection methods, including:
- Phone calls and reminder letters
- Payment negotiations
- Skip tracing to locate individuals
As of February 2026, the ministry has gained access to stronger enforcement tools such as liens, garnishments, and legal warrants to improve recovery rates.
Unpaid accounts may also be referred to private collection agencies after 180 days.
Criticism from Advocacy Groups and Politicians
Animal welfare advocates have strongly criticized the province’s performance. Donna Power of Humane Initiative described the low collection rate as “shocking” and questioned the government’s commitment to protecting animals.
Political leaders have also raised concerns. Interim Liberal leader John Fraser argued that laws lose their effectiveness without proper enforcement, stating that penalties are essential to changing behaviour.
Similarly, Green Party leader Mike Schreiner warned that failing to recover millions sends the wrong message and may not deter future cases of animal cruelty.
Concerns About Accountability
Critics argue that the lack of enforcement places an unfair burden on taxpayers, who may ultimately bear the cost of caring for seized animals.
While the government has introduced stronger collection measures, questions remain about whether these tools will significantly improve recovery rates in the future.
Ontario’s failure to collect over $9 million from alleged animal abusers highlights a serious gap in enforcement. While Animal Welfare Services continues to investigate and protect animals, the inability to recover costs raises concerns about accountability and deterrence.
With new collection powers now in place, the province faces growing pressure to ensure that those responsible are held financially accountable.