Posted By: AAS
Date: Monday, 7 July 2003, at 7:49 a.m.
Are 165 euthanasias last month at the Prince George SPCA is one of the "miracles" at the branches that CEO Craig Daniell was referring to?

From Craig Daniell's first major public statement as CEO of the BC SPCA:

"We have also dramatically increased our cruelty investigation activities, increased our humane education and volunteer support presence, and implemented a moratorium on euthanasia followed by our Companion Animal Management Program to ensure that every animal that enters one of our shelters gets the best possible chance for a good life. We cannot lose sight of the fact that we accomplish miracles every single day in our shelters."

Mr Daniell cannot help but know that there was no real moratorium on killing, not even for the least forgivable reason - killing for space. He must or should know that many branches are still killing for lack of space, some in shocking numbers. The SPCA's Companion Animal Management Program, which Mr Daniell holds up as a model of compassionate rehabilitation, states clearly that orange zone dog are to be killed to make space for green zone dogs, and in some branches, even green zone dogs are being killed for space.

News has come to us that the Prince George SPCA killed 165 animals in June this year. We cannot confirm that number, but it does not surprise us. It is only what AAS has been saying for years - that the SPCA is BC's pet disposal service because of its policy of unlimited surrender. We do not think that Mr Daniell should call this a "miracle".

The SPCA chose this role, or business, or policy, of pet disposal and it can unchoose it, but it has not said it is even considering getting out of the business that attracts its income. It would take many years of supporting programs to wean BC pet owners off the idea of "easy come, easy go", but it is not going to happen at all without a start.

There are no supporting programs. There is very little education. There are no control of breeding laws. There is a spay/neuter assistance program that is so miniscule that it has more value to the SPCA's image than it does to animals. And there is no announcement of a policy change even being considered.

It is disappointing that Mr Daniell chose, in his first major public statement as CEO, to follow the old SPCA pattern of spin doctoring and dazzle. He could have chosen to just say there is a lot of work to do to improve the welfare of animals in BC, including spending donator's money wisely, and improving the shelters to make each of them a truly sheltering place so that animals have the "best possible chance for a good life" that Mr Daniell claims for them.

We think that Mr Daniell intends to make honest change, but we wish he had chosen to say that rather than repeat his predecessor's egregious semi-truths.

We look forward to announcements of a vigorous and meaningful spay/neuter program, and of other initiatives that will support the eventual discontinuance of the SPCA's part in the cycle of pet disposal. Those changes will make it possible in the future for the SPCA to honestly say it is accomplishing miracles.

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