November 03, 2003
The Editor,
The Coast Reporter

In response to the article about the SPCA Foster Program in the November 1, 2003 issue:
My partner and myself were also a volunteer foster family for the Chillwack puppy mill seizure; we fostered a wonderful little Chihuahua.

I would like to confirm that these dogs were not in good shape when we received them. I believe that the SPCA did their best to help these dogs into health but the condition they received them from the puppy mill did not allow for optimum health. When we picked up our foster dog, she had really badly scabbed ears, I was not aware that fur was supposed to be on her ears but about a month later, the scabs started coming off and fur was growing. She ended up giving fleas to my pets and I personally de-fleaed her and my pets. She had no social skills, she didn’t know what stairs were and was scared to use them. My mom and my aunt also fostered these dogs and they were missing many teeth.
The upsetting part of the article was that Eileen Drever from the SPCA completely down played the dogs condition when the SPCA returned them. When they seized the dogs they talked about how awful the conditions were in a Chilliwack Newspaper, it is like a publicity rollercoaster. Their story seems to change depending on their reputation.

The woman whom these dogs were taken from is still in the process of being charged, yet her dogs were returned. We never for a moment thought that our local SPCA were to receive the proceeds from the “bail” money that she had to pay to get her animals back. I have nothing but respect for our local SPCA and Tim Kenna and it is truly unfortunate that the Foster Program has been cancelled on the Sunshine Coast. What has not also been mentioned is that because of the foster program, our local SPCA received $500 from my employer as a result of my volunteer efforts. So, not only does this program help animals but it also created a large donation to our local branch. The program was cancelled because we questioned BCSPCA’s motives and the needs and welfare of 10 little dogs. Basically it was cancelled because it bought negative attention to BCSPCA. These dogs were robbed of a normal life and now more are to follow, how sad…

I think the focus should be on why these dogs were returned when the woman is being charged for the cruelty of animals and how we can together prevent this happening again instead of he said, she said.
Sincerely,

Jasmine Morgan