Frequently Asked Questions
This page is intended to provide general information and is specific to the time when it is first issued. Please keep in mind that the ACRB’s staff cannot provide you with legal advice.
If you wish to obtain legal advice, you should consult a person licensed by the Law Society of Ontario.
Appeals and Applications
Who can file an appeal or application?
The owner or custodian of an animal
May appeal to the Board
- Compliance orders (s. 38(1)1)
- Removal orders (s. 38(1)2)
- Orders to keep an animal in the Chief Animal Welfare Inspector's care (s. 38(1)3)
- Statements of account served by the Chief Animal Welfare Inspector (s. 38(2))
May apply to the Board for
- Revocation of an order on the basis that the animal has ceased to be in distress (s. 38(3))
- Return of an animal on the basis that the conditions that caused the animal to be kept in the Chief Animal Welfare Inspector's care have ceased to exist (s. 38(4))
Once a person files an appeal or application with the ACRB, they are referred to as either an Appellant or Applicant.
If the Appellant or Applicant is a company, the person filing an appeal or application on behalf of that company must have authority to do so.
How do I know if I have the right to appeal to the ACRB?
Is the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) still involved in animal welfare law enforcement?
After the Superior Court decision, Bogaerts v. Attorney General of Ontario, the OSPCA announced that it would end its enforcement services as of June 28, 2019.
With the introduction of the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019, animal welfare law enforcement has become the responsibility of the provincial government. The new provincial enforcement team will be made up of a chief animal welfare inspector, one or more deputy chief animal welfare inspectors, locally deployed provincial inspectors and specialized inspectors for livestock, zoos and aquariums.
Case Conferences and Hearings
Who will hear my appeal/application?
What happens if I do not appear on the date set for the hearing and I do not notify the ACRB?
Are hearings open to the public?
Yes. Hearings are open to the public unless ordered otherwise by the ACRB.
You can contact the ACRB for a schedule of proceedings.
Decisions
Are decisions publicly available?
Yes. Decisions are publicly available on the Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII) website.
CanLII is an online platform that offers free public access to tribunal and court decisions.
When does the Board’s decision take effect?
What if I disagree with a decision?
A party can ask the Executive Chair of Tribunals Ontario to reconsider a decision.
You can learn about the process and criteria for making a request for reconsideration here.