----- Original Message -----
From: Chambers, Jo Anne
To: 'cdaniell@spca.bc.ca'
Cc: 'animaladvocates@telus.net'
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 2:57 PM
Subject: Selling Sick Animals

November 18, 2003

Mr. Craig Daniell
Acting CEO and Manager of Cruelty Investigations
BC SPCA
1245 East 7th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5T 1R1

Mr. Daniell:

I am writing to voice my concerns about the questionable ethics of the staff
of the BC SPCA. It has been brought to my attention that several animals
have been sold recently by the Victoria Branch of the BC SPCA without any
medical attention whatsoever. Goldie, Ginger, Toby, Bonnie, Rascal and
probably many others that we weren't't aware of were all suffering and in
pain and it appears that the BC SPCA staff failed to take any steps to ease
their distress, something which they are supposed to provide under the "five
freedoms".

It is absolutely unacceptable that the Victoria SPCA staff are selling these
dogs in the condition that they are in, with little or no thought to how
serious their medical problems are or how much pain they are in. The BC
SPCA's mandate is to stop suffering - not extend it; and it would appear by
all of these situations that the decision makers at the Victoria "shelter"
are acting irresponsible in their haste to shuffle as many dogs as possible.

In addition, the prospective owners of these dogs are not being screened
well enough in order to ensure that they are financially able to look after
these dogs. All of these dogs are/were senior and it is a well-known fact
it can be expensive to maintain the medical well-being of older dogs.

If the BC SPCA chooses to provide unlimited surrender, then the BC SPCA is
obligated to care for all animals properly while in their guardianship.

Yours truly,

Jo-Anne Chambers
Former Victoria SPCA CAC