This page explains what happens next, what’s expected of you, and how the B.C. Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB) supports you through the animal custody appeal process.
Step 1 to 2: BCFIRB checks appeal, sends process letter with hearing dates
Step 3 to 7: Gather evidence, review BC SPCA evidence, submit documents by the deadline
Step 8: Attend phone hearing and present your case
Step 9: Receive written decision within 10 business days after hearing
Emotional support
It is natural to feel overwhelmed during this process. Consider seeking support from friends, family, or professional counsellors to help you manage stress.
Step 1. BCFIRB checks your appeal
After you file your appeal and pay the $100 fee, BCFIRB confirms that:
- You filed your appeal on time
- You paid the fee by the deadline
- You included all required information
If something’s missing, BCFIRB may give you a short deadline to fix it. If your appeal is too late or can’t be corrected, it will not be accepted.
Step 2. Review the process letter
If your appeal is accepted, BCFIRB will send you a process letter within 2 business days. It will include:
- Hearing date
- How to dial into the hearing
- Deadlines to send evidence and written arguments
- When to expect a decision
Follow this schedule carefully. If you’re unsure what to do, contact BCFIRB.
Missing a deadline may hurt your appeal
Set deadline reminders on your phone or calendar as soon as you get the letter.
Step 3. Prepare your case and gather evidence
Start planning early so you have time to collect everything you need.
Think about:
- What decision you’re appealing
- Why you disagree with it
- What outcome you’re asking for
- What evidence supports your side
You should:
- Break your case into each reason your animal was taken
- For each reason, choose the evidence that best supports your side
- Label each piece of evidence so the panel can easily see how it supports your case
- Identify any witnesses that can support your claims
Want to see how the panel has ruled in other animal custody appeals?
Step 4. Ask for a different process (if needed)
If the standard appeal process doesn’t work for you, BCFIRB may be able to adjust it. These requests are called pre-hearing applications, and they must be made in writing.
To learn about requests you can make, review Rule 5 of the PCAA Rules for Practice and Procedure for Appeals (PDF, 325KB).
Below are the most common types of requests and how to make them.
Ask for more time
You can request more time if you’re dealing with illness, delays getting documents or other challenges that make it hard to meet the deadline.
- Write a short letter or email to BCFIRB. Include:
- How long of an extension you’re asking for
- Why you need more time
- Any documents that help explain your situation
- Send it to BCFIRB and send a copy to the BC SPCA
BCFIRB will review your request, let the BC SPCA respond and then send you a decision.
Ask for a witness summons
If a witness won’t testify or share documents willingly, you can ask BCFIRB to issue a summons to require their participation.
- Write a request to BCFIRB explaining:
- The witness’s name and contact info
- What they know or why their documents matter
- Why they won’t participate voluntarily
- What efforts you made to get them to participate
- You don’t have to send a copy of this request to the witness or the BC SPCA, unless BCFIRB tells you to
If approved, BCFIRB may issue a summons, which is a legal order requiring the witness to participate.
Ask to keep some evidence private
If you have sensitive information, like medical, financial, or safety-related details, you can ask BCFIRB to keep it confidential and not share it with the other party.
- Write a request to BCFIRB and include:
- A list or description of the documents you want kept confidential
- The reasons they should not be shared
- It’s your choice whether to tell the BC SPCA about your request. If you do, only share a general explanation. Don’t include any of the confidential details.
BCFIRB will decide whether to accept the documents in confidence. If they deny your request, you may have to share the documents or remove them from your evidence.
Ask for a different hearing format
If a phone hearing won’t work for you, you can ask for a different format. This might include a video call, a written-only hearing, or hearing procedure changes to help with accessibility.
- Write a request to BCFIRB explaining:
- What format you’re asking for
- Why the standard format won’t work for you
- Include any supporting information
- Send the request to BCFIRB and send a copy to the BC SPCA
BCFIRB will consider your needs and whether the change is fair to both parties.
Ask for an interpreter
If you do not speak or understand English well, tell BCFIRB staff as early as possible.
They may be able to provide an interpreter for your hearing.
Step 5. Join a pre-hearing meeting (if scheduled)
BCFIRB may schedule a short phone call before the hearing to:
- Clarify what issues will be discussed
- Confirm deadlines
- Talk about using expert evidence or confidential documents
You’ll be told ahead of time by BCFIRB staff if this applies to you.
Step 6. Review BC SPCA’s evidence
Before the hearing, the BC SPCA must send you and BCFIRB:
- All documents and bylaws related to the case
- A list of witnesses they plan to call
- Any other evidence they plan to use
The BC SPCA must follow BCFIRB’s rules for sharing documents: Document Disclosure Practice Directive (PDF, 174KB). They must:
- Send you the first copy electronically using an approved method
- Then send you a full paper copy by hand, mail, or courier
You are responsible for reviewing everything they send.
If you do not receive a hard copy, or you cannot open or access a file, contact BCFIRB right away.
Step 7. Submit your evidence and witness lists
Send your documents to both BCFIRB and the BC SPCA by the deadline in your process letter. The panel may exclude evidence if it is submitted late.
You should include:
- A written submission that clearly explains:
- What decision you’re appealing
- Why you think it’s wrong
- What outcome you are asking for
- Any supporting evidence (such as veterinary records, emails, photos, or receipts)
- A list of any witnesses you want to speak at the hearing, with their contact details
How to send your evidence
To make sure BCFIRB accepts your documents, follow the Document Disclosure Practice Directive (PDF, 174KB):
- Number every page
- Label each document and briefly explain how it supports your case
- “Photo 1 – Dog’s shelter with new tarp and raised platform – taken by John Smith on July 24, 2025”
- Include the date and source for each photo, video or document
- “Vet invoice – Treatment for skin infection and follow-up care plan – from Coast Animal Hospital, dated July 15, 2025”
- Use one of the approved delivery formats:
- Email PDF or JPG files to firb@gov.bc.ca
- Send numbered hard copies by mail, courier or fax
- Mail or courier a USB stick with files
- Use the secure file transfer service
Don’t send file-sharing links (like Dropbox or Google Drive). BCFIRB will not open them.
How to submit your witness list
If you want someone to speak at your hearing, you must submit a witness list by the deadline in your process letter. Learn more about using witnesses to support your case
Regular witnesses
A regular witness can speak about what they saw or know.
To use a regular witness, you must:
- Fill out the Witness Contact Form (PDF, 59KB)
- Send it to BCFIRB by the deadline in your process letter
- Make sure your witnesses are available to attend the hearing
Expert witnesses
An expert witness has professional training or deep experience, like a veterinarian or long-time animal care provider.
To use an expert witness, you must:
- Fill out the Expert Witness Form (PDF, 130KB)
- Ask the expert to write a short report that includes:
- Their qualifications
- A summary of their opinion
- The assumptions or information they based their opinion on
- Send the completed form and the expert’s report to BCFIRB and the BC SPCA by the deadline in the process letter
- Make sure the expert can attend the hearing, unless the BC SPCA agrees they don’t need to
It’s your responsibility to contact your witnesses and make sure they attend.
Step 8. Prepare for and attend the hearing
Hearings are usually held by phone. BCFIRB will send you instructions before the hearing.
During the hearing, you can:
- Summarize your case and explain your evidence
- Answer questions the panel asks
- Question your witnesses and the BC SPCA’s witnesses
You can speak for yourself or have a representative speak for you. You can also ask witnesses to speak.
Step 9. Receive the written decision
BCFIRB will send a written decision within 10 business days after the hearing. The decision will explain the outcome and include any instructions for you or the BC SPCA.
If you need help
If you have questions, contact BCFIRB. BCFIRB staff are here to support you throughout the process.
Legal advice and other support
You can attend the hearing with or without a lawyer or legal representative. You don’t need one to take part, but getting legal advice may help.
Other support might include:
- A trusted friend or advocate
- Community legal clinics
- Translation or interpretation services