----- Original Message -----
From: connie mahoney
To: csoules@spca.bc.ca
Cc: cnaherniak@spca.bc.ca
Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2002 9:00 AM
Subject: SPCA exploitation

re: Springvalley Middle School Career Day

It was so very disappointing to see the Kelowna SPCA's educational presentation at the above school on March 8, 2002.

The presentation consisted of: a rabbit in a cage, a kitten in a cage, and three fund raising items (an SPCA Calendar, an old newsletter and a form requesting Zellers and Canadian Tire points and please donate to us).

The table displaying the "cute" animals was continuously mobbed by dozens of students anxious to see the animals, sticking fingers into their cages. This caused great stress to the animals. In particular the rabbit was screaming (a high pitched sound) in distress with no relief from the unwanted attention for over an hour and a half.

Not only was a wonderful opportunity missed to teach these students anything meaningful about animals, but it was an obvious exploitation of their "cuteness" just to further the SPCA's image. There was absolutely no educational material, nothing dealing with spay/neuter and unwanted animals. This bunny and kitten were a direct result of pet over-population and ultimately most of them are euthanized by the SPCA's and again, no mention of this. The presentation was irresponsible and thoughtless. It was actually demeaning to the many students who are so eager to learn about animal issues and humane education, which should include ALL animals. Knowing that the Kelowna SPCA actually has paid full time staff to present humane education in the schools actually makes this worse. They commented that the large turnout at their table made them so popular, and they felt their presentation was therefore successful.

The SPCA is supposed to be raising the bar to improve their standards. I've never seen the bar so low!!

Could you please let me know if the SPCA has a policy on exhibiting animals in public (a very stressful situation for the animals). The time has come to stop treating these animals as merchandise to be peddled. Secondly, are there any standards relating to humane education presentations? I would appreciate your response.

Sincerely,

Connie Mahoney.

AAS - Connie is a former director of the Kelowna SPCA and the 1999 recipient of the BC SPCA Humane Education Award for the public awareness campaign she conducted on the inherent cruelty to animals in the circus. The end result was Kelowna adopting it's "Wild and Exotic Animal Prohibition Bylaw"). SHE HAS RECEIVED NO REPLY FROM THE BC SPCA. Craig Naherniak is the BC SPCA's Director of Education.

What did happen was that Connie was threatened with a legal action by the manager of the Kelowna SPCA.