The New Brunswick SPCA maintains a staff of both full time and part time Animal Protection Officers and Inspectors who investigate allegations of animal cruelty and neglect. Animal Protection Officers have the same authority as police officers when enforcing legislation, particularly the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1997, C.27, S.1) and the Criminal Code of Canada.

The NBSPCA Animal Protection Officers provide frontline protection for animals across New Brunswick by responding to nearly 4,000 animal cruelty and neglect complaints each year. Actions taken after investigating a call are progressive, from providing education initially, to issuing a compliance notice, to seizing an animal, to laying charges where circumstances warrant.