Marie-Louise Felicia Allen has been a notable figure in animal advocacy for over fifty years in British Columbia.

As a wellknown animal rescuer, educator, innovator, trainer and activist, her work focuses not only on protecting animals but also on supporting the people who care for them. Allen’s approach is grounded in a strong belief that animals are more than companions — they are integral members of families who both deserve respect, protection, and proper care.

This philosophy has guided decades of work ranging from animal rescue and rehabilitation efforts to public education on humanely understanding animals. Her involvement with animals began early.

Growing up in North Vancouver, she rescued farm animals facing slaughter and helped rehabilitate horses and dogs. Over time, her efforts expanded into broader advocacy initiatives. As a teenager, she started a campaign against leg-hold traps used on wolves in British Columbia and successfully ended them. She brought the public’s awareness in Canada to the cruel bear bile trade in China with an emphasis on the bears and their lives through writing and outreach with Jill Robinson, who had actively started helping the bears live kinder lives in sanctuaries.

Allen also founded the Standardbred Horse Fan Club in 2004, an initiative focused on rescuing retired racehorses from slaughter, providing veterinary care, rehabilitation and finding the horses new forever homes.

Oliver is terrified, frightened and doesn't understand what is happening
to his human and herd family of nearly twenty years. Oliver was cruelly killed
after three months in capture by the BC SPCA.

In her early twenties, she developed and pioneered a non-riding, horse-assisted wellness therapy program for the public known as Equine Assisted Natural Healing (EANH), which emphasized emotional connection and healing through interaction with therapy horses. The therapy has expanded to countries all over the world who practice its benefits for children on the spectrum and healing for others, and is recognized formally as a branch of "Animal Therapy".

Her approach to horse training with the development of a program, True Natural Horsemanship, relied on eliminating the use of pain-based tools on horses altogether and a better understanding of the animal, which has influenced similar methods internationally.

Throughout her career, Allen has also been involved in legal disputes with the BC SPCA regarding the seizure and care of animals from her rescue operations.

Felicia and Lacey featured on the cover of a local newspaper.
Lacey was sold by the BC SPCA to strangers and could be living
a life of abuse being a former racing harness horse likely
to be bred over and over again and who cannot be ridden.

She has publicly challenged the organization’s practices, alleging corruption, misconduct and lack of oversight.

These claims include concerns about the handling of seized animals, the role of BC SPCA hired veterinary assessments, and the broader legal framework governing animal welfare enforcement in the province.

Allen has taken legal action in response to these disputes, including cases in the British Columbia Supreme Court, in which she is the only animal guardian in the history of British Columbia to have seized animals by the BC SPCA ordered returned to her by two seperate court proceedings with two seperate Supreme court justices.

She states that these efforts are part of a broader mission to address what she see’s as systemic issues affecting both animals and their guardians.

Her advocacy has also extended to a constitutional challenge aimed at strengthening the rights of pet guardians with animals in veterinary care from SPCA seizure under Canadian law.

In recent years, she founded the Society for British Columbia Public Guardians and Animals (BC SPGA), a nonprofit organization intended to provide support, advocacy, and resources for animal guardians and their pets.

The organization works to build community connections, promote education, and offer assistance to those navigating challenges related to animal care and BC SPCA animal seizure.

Allen’s work highlights the complexities of animal welfare, particularly where it intersects with legal systems, public perception, and animal policing practices.

While her views and experiences have generated both support and controversy, they have also contributed to ongoing exposure and animal and human policing actions by the BC SPCA.

The most wellknown of BC SPCA actions on Felicia occured with the seizure of a little therapy pony under veterinary care. An employee, Dr. Jane Westendorf of the equine clinic owned by Felicia's veterinarian, undertook to write a complaint report to the BC SPCA - which she did not show the pony's treating veterinary team - which recommended euthanizing the pony.

Bentley, a miniature pony raised by Marie-louise Felicia Allen for eleven years,
was euthanized by the combined efforts of Dr. Jane Westendorf and her friend, Dr. Amanda Gilliland.
Both were involved in another seizure of horses with the BC SPCA
which they won against Tanya Sarkozi who tried in vain
to have her two horses returned to her in an appeal Tribunal hearing in 2023.

The BC SPCA, Dr. Westendorf and her best friend, Dr. Amanda Gilliland, all had a part in the euthanization of the pony, who had "a good prognosis" for recovery by his veterinary team: The pony's veterinary team was not consulted by Dr. Gilliland or the BC SPCA prior to or during the BC SPCA raid which ended his life.

The BC SPCA then recommended charges under the Canada Criminal Code and the Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Act to Crown counsel. The Crown pursued charges on Marie-louise Felicia Allen under the Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Act. During the provincial court trial, testimony by Dr. Gilliland confirmed that BC SPCA Marcie Moriarity, Chief of Human and Animal Policing, had helped the veterinarian with the wording of the pony's vet report that was used as evidence against Marie-louise Felicia Allen at the trial. Marcie Moriarity is a lawyer by profession. The RCMP is currently investigating Ms. Moriarity under the Canada Criminal Code.

Dr. Jane Westendorf relied extensively in her testimony at the trial on a sports veterinarian, Dr. Shawn Mattson, located in Alberta for her actions. It has since been confirmed that the sports veterinarian had no xrays, knowledge or communication in regard to the pony. Dr. Jane Westendorf could be charged under the Criminal Code for false testimony.

What we are seeing is just scratching the surface of what goes on behind the scenes at the BC SPCA human and animal policing unit," according to Marie-louise Felicia Allen. "The animal appeal tribunal and courts act as the next tier of policing for the BC SPCA which is why 95% of the time the BC SPCA succeed against people fighting for their pets who are not animal abusers - who in fact, seek veterinary help when needed for their pets."

A pretty rescue track horse, Star, who was named by the children
in therapy was tragically killed by the BC SPCA after being seized by them
two days after a Supreme Court judge had ordered Star returned to Felicia.
"Star was in her best years. Healthy, vibrant, sweet.
The vet that was hired by the BC SPCA did not
recommend euthanasia for Star." said Marie-louise Felicia Allen.

At the heart of her efforts is a commitment to the bond between humans and animals. Through rescue work, community initiatives, and advocacy, Allen continues to push for a system that better protects animals while also respecting the people who care for them.

Her story reflects both the possibilities and challenges of grassroots activism. Whether through direct action, public education, or legal advocacy, she remains focused on advancing a vision of compassion and fairness for all living beings.

Felicia and Oliver

Related Article: For indepth coverage on Marie-louise Felicia Allen