Who We Are
The NBSPCA has been on a mission to protect and advocate for animals across our province for more than 120 years.
When you support the NBSPCA, you’re giving animals a voice and the chance for a brighter future. Your donations help us remove animals from unsafe situations and work closely with independent community shelters across the province to give animals the care and love they deserve — until they find their forever home.
What We Do
Meet Our Leadership Team
Lesley Rogers, Executive Director
Lesley has been surrounded by animals throughout her life and they have played a major role in shaping her values.
She has two Cairn terriers, Ruby and Xander, as well as an older cat Sophie, and new kitten Gusto!
Lesley’s knack for problem-solving and her ability to foster collaborative relationships have been integral to her success over the past 34 years as a leader in the New Brunswick public service.
She is passionate and seasoned when it comes to advocacy and dedicated to improving the lives of animals across this province.
It should be no surprise that Lesley and her four-legged crew love watching the Wizard of Oz!
Bernadette MacFarlane, Office Manager
In Bernadette’s world, animals are a part of everything she does. No matter if it’s a cat or a dog, she loves them both because they all have different personalities just like people. Cheeka, her 17-year-old Chihuahua, and Cali, her grand-dog, were both adopted from SPCA shelters.
She’s been the NBSPCA’s sole admin for 13 years, and she sees all the staff as family. Dedicated to protecting animals, no task is too big or too small when it comes to lending a helping hand.
Her downtime is spent with her family and grandchildren, and she loves going to the Summer House on the beautiful Miramichi River. Turner and Hooch is her favorite movie.
Julie McLaughlin, Director of Development
Julie found her calling in fundraising by accident after staying home to raise her two children for 8 years. Prior to joining the NBSPCA team, she worked for a non-profit organization that provides free mental health services to youth and young adults.
Julie is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), a prestigious accreditation that demonstrates her expertise in the field of charitable giving and donor relations. This background, combined with her lifelong passion for animals, makes her the purrfect fit for her role at the NBSPCA.
At home, Julie enjoys the constant companionship of two dogs and two cats. Much to her dismay, clothing covered in fur is also a permanent fixture in her life. But Julie wouldn’t have it any other way — animals have been a big part of her life since she was a child, and she is dedicated to being a voice for those in need.
In her spare time, you can find Julie curled up with a cat and a good book or walking her dogs in the woods.
Tony Porter
Chief Animal Protection Officer
After returning to Fredericton with his wife Jill in 2017, Tony joined the NBSPCA as Chief Animal Protection Officer. He began his career as a police officer with the Miramichi Police Force, New Brunswick, serving in the Criminal Investigation Division, Drug Section, and Containment Team before retiring from the Patrol Division as a supervisor.
He has two sons and two grandchildren. In addition to his love for dogs, he also has an avid interest in agriculture animals, especially equine and cattle.
It is Tony’s mission to improve the level of service of the enforcement team and to do everything they can to eliminate animal neglect and cruelty from the community. Together with his provincial partners, he continues to develop ways to enhance animal welfare and has made significant contributions to improving animals’ lives as a result of the Act and Regulation.
Jennifer (Jenn) Tenant
Deputy Chief Animal Protection Officer
Jenn joined NBSPCA after a 16-year career with the Ottawa Police Service where she served as a Patrol Officer for 6 years and 10 years with the Forensic Identification Section. Jenn has significant leadership experience and was promoted to Sergeant during her time on the force. Previously, Jenn worked inside the provincial court system for 8 years with the Attorney General of Ontario.
Jenn grew up in Hull, Québec where her family was involved in dog breeding. This love of animals has been a central part of Jenn’s family life and has continued to include family dogs, competing in western equestrian events with her children and 4 horses, and running a farm.
Her goal is to advocate for the humane treatment of all animals and to share her love and passion by working with stakeholders and the community to ensure all animals are treated and cared for.
Norman
Norman was abandoned by his owner and rescued by an NBSPCA officer who brought him to the Charlotte County SPCA.
He was later adopted by NBSPCA HQ and has settled in nicely.
Norman is kind, good-looking, loyal and vocal.
Annual Report
The NBPSCA is a non-profit organization serving animals across our province. We are passionate about the work we do and value information sharing with the public.
News
Stay up to date on the latest news from the NBSPCA on our blog.
Our Board of Directors
Scott Elliott, President
Scott has enjoyed a long career in the restaurant industry encompassing operations, training, and as a consultant. A long-term supporter, Scott has served on the Fredericton SPCA Board and is presently the President of the NB SPCA.
Norma McCarthy, Vice President
Norma works with numerous not-for-profits, public sector entities and boards, advising on the challenges charitable groups face and potential solutions. A specialist in marketing, communications, research, and stakeholder engagement, she leads a series of renewal initiatives and oversees strategic and business development project management.
Norma and her husband live with a cerebral Cardigan Welsh Corgi and a gregarious German Shepherd, who love daily walks and endless games of fetch.
Robert Hunt, Past – President
Robert is a Civil Engineering Technologist with 22 years of experience. Prior to that he was a Detector Dog Handler and Training Supervisor in the United States Air Force. Robert is a Past President of the Saint John SPCA and in 2016 formed a group which successfully lobbied for changes to the Quispamsis Animal Control Bylaws.
Gordon Perry, Secretary
A graduate of UNB, Gordon is a supervisor for the City of Saint John transit. Gordon previously sat on the board of the Saint John SPCA in various capacities, including President, and currently serves on the NB SPCA having assumed various roles over the past several years. Gordon is currently Secretary on the Executive of that board. An ardent animal lover, Gordon lives in Saint John with his family including his faithful pup, Max
Chris Bertin, Treasurer
Chris is a CPA with 9 years of experience in public practice and corporate advisory.
Chris has served on the board of the Society for several years and is the head of the finance and investment committee. Chris is passionate about animals and continues to strengthen his understanding of the animal welfare field, as a member of the Society’s Board of Directors.
Daniel Greene, Director
Daniel is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) currently working at the Department of National Defense at 5 CDSB Gagetown.
Daniel has served in various positions with the Fredericton SPCA and currently sits on the NB SPCA board providing strong guidance on financial strategies.
Rose St-Pierre, Director
Rose is a CPA with experience working in both the Public and Private sectors. Currently, she is employed with a local commercial real estate company. Rose lives in Fredericton with her husband, their dog Ginger, and cats Mozart and Kate. She also spends time with Berkley, her horse friend friend, and dog-sits Nico and George on a regular basis.
Ginette Savoie, Director
Ginette Savoie is employed with the Province of New Brunswick as the Director of Advocates Services with Post-Education Training and Labour. She was part of Boxer Rescue Atlantic Canada for many years. She sits on the Board of the Fredericton Community Kitchen. She has one grown skin child and four fur children.
Angie Kelly, Director
Angie is a Certified Fund Raising Executive with over 20 years experience raising funds for a variety of non-profits in the education, social services and health sectors. Throughout her career she has served on a number of Boards of Directors for professional associations and charities dedicated to improving the welfare of the most vulnerable.
When she’s not working, she’s rediscovering all that our province has to offer with her husband, daughter and her Rottweiler Rosie.
Elizabeth Hale, Director/NBVMA Representative
Elizabeth Hale is a veterinarian who has been practising since 1992. She has experience with shelter medicine and participates on the board as a liaison between the NBSPCA and the NBVMA
Our Story
1881
We got our start in 1881 when 15 citizens of Saint John petitioned the legislative council for an animal protection agency. One of our first public acts was to commission a drinking fountain for horses — which still exists in uptown Saint John today!
Most early SPCAs focused on the well-being of horses, but as horse work began to decline in the twentieth century, they shifted their focus to companion animals. To this day, we still protect livestock.
1960s
In 1965 Brian Davies from Oromocto became the Society’s first full-time employee. Davies was a passionate advocate of animal rights and held the title of Executive Secretary.
The 1970s & 1980s
In the late 1970s the Society plunged into a financial crisis. Although there remained a small network of part-time inspectors, funding was precarious and the NBSPCA itself was relatively inactive.
The 1990s
The 1990s brought a revival of government interest in the NBSPCA and animal protection issues. Amendments to the SPCA Act set up our current system of government-sanctioned Animal Protection Officers with the status of peace officers. Governmental responsibility for the NBSPCA was transferred from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Environment and Local Government, where it remains today.
The 2000s
With Paul Melanson as the chief Animal Protection Officer, the corps of APOs underwent rapid professionalization. Exercising their increased legal authority, the Animal Protection Officers launched a number of large puppy mill seizures that raised public awareness of the Society. In 2009 the NBSPCA assumed the contract to provide dog control services in rural areas, a service previously delivered directly by the government.
The 2010s
In 2010, the government passed legislation establishing mandatory inspection and licensing of pet establishments and gave the NBSPCA authority for that licensing. That same year our 24⁄7 hotline was created to allow the public to report allegations of cruelty and abuse.
