(Submitted/ Wendy Fyrk)

By Nigel Maxwell

Animal welfare

Frontline worker gives thumbs up to animal protection service change

Jan 22, 2026 | 3:00 PM

A frontline worker with years of experience rescuing animals says she is excited to see someone else in charge of the province’s animal welfare services.

Wendy Fyrk, who lives in the Prince Albert area, is reacting to news that effective April 1, the Saskatchewan Animal Enforcement Agency (SAEA) will become the new enforcement agency in the province.

This follows the decision by Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan to discontinue its operations effective March 31, and the opening of a public competition by the Ministry of Agriculture for a new service provider.

“I think we need a huge change with animal protection services and I’m really hoping that this is going to be the ticket,” Fyrk said.

Through her work, Fyrk has had many dealing with Animal Protection Services and said the relationship has been challenging. She also acknowledged with this line of work there is a degree of privacy required.

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“But I also think when they’re dealing with people who have also been in the rescue world for probably as long as they have been doing this or even longer, they could glean a lot of information from us on the front line. But instead, we’re not treated like that, and that has been a huge hurdle.”

The SAEA will provide animal enforcement services for Saskatchewan, excluding the City of Regina where the Regina Humane Society provides services. Going forward, Fyrk hopes there’s an opportunity for consultation where the SAEA will agree to sit down with rescue groups and talk about expectations.

“That would really for me start it off on a really good foot,” she said.

While plans are still being worked out, Fyrk said she heard the Marshal Service will be involved, and stated her hope for that to happen because sometimes animal rescue workers can get into a bit of a sticky situation and need some legal advice.

Another important change for Fyrk is an entirely new group of people working in the office.

“I think there’s a lot of animosity between rescue and animal protection and I and it should have never been that way. So maybe with staffing changes, we can get rid of that and help each other. That’s what it’s all about. We’re all in it to help the animals, not to fight with the people.”

According to a news release this week from the Government of Saskatchewan, they remain committed to the safety and welfare of all animals in the province.

“Our government’s new partnership with the Saskatchewan Animal Enforcement Agency continues to ensure animal welfare enforcement in our province,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said. “Together, we are looking to the future of animal protection that continues to deliver effective and compassionate enforcement for Saskatchewan residents and their animals.”

“The Saskatchewan Animal Enforcement Agency looks forward to working with the Ministry of Agriculture as well as other external stakeholders in the province,” Board Chair Chief Russ Austin said. “The SAEA was created with the focus of delivering education and enforcement services with integrity, professionalism and transparency in all that we do.”

nigel,maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell