The Animal Care Review Board (ACRB; French: Commission d'étude des soins aux animaux) is an independent, quasi-judicial agency in Ontario, Canada.
[1] It is one of 13 adjudicative tribunals under the Ministry of the Attorney General that make up Tribunals Ontario.
[2][3] The ACRB conducts hearings, hearing appeals of orders and decisions made by the Chief Animal Welfare Inspector and other animal welfare inspectors on disputes regarding animal welfare in Ontario.
[4][5][6] The role and authority of ACRB is mandated under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 (PAWS), which allows inspectors to conduct risk-based inspections, reactively respond to urgent animal welfare concerns, and collect evidence to lay charges.
[7][8][9] The Chief Animal Welfare Inspector (CAWI) is accountable to the Solicitor General and is responsible for giving animal owners/custodians notices and taking action if necessary.