Cross-posted from CYA http://www.cyabc.ca/cgi-bin/webbbs_config.pl

I am writing this letter to let readers know how disgusted I am with the local SPCA.
My sister has been looking after cats and taking them in for years. She loves each and every one of them and knows their feeding habits and character. She has been recently training them for seniors and for people with disabilities.
Well the SPCA arrived and removed each and every one because she had been extremely busy and had not got her house cleaned that day. I was horrified that they could be so cruel. My poor sister was so devastated, and on top of that was hauled away by police for trying to ask questions and protect her animals.
If everyone of you cat owners who are busy and have a litter box inside and don't get it cleaned right away, you know it can leave a smell in the house but is that any reason to remove cats? How long does it take to air it out and clean and wipe things down. Sorry but not long.
These cats are now in the local shelter and are terrified and are being kept in distress. The cats are not on a healthy diet but fed the cheapest brand of cat food going, they are not used to that as some of them have special diets. They are so scared and not eating, losing weight and their fur. Do you call this better facilities for the cats? If you or I was to do that we, would be charged?
When my sister goes to visit it must be supervised, it is impossible to get any answers out of certain people at the SPCA as to what is going on. They have avoided us since Thursday and it is very unnerving.
At last visit the cats were not doing well and were thin and one had a cough that it did not have before going to the shelter. We want some of the trained cats returned and good homes for the rest.
We are quite aware of the local bylaws but I thank the people in town who have good hearts and take in these cats rather then leaving them to die. I salute you loving people. I was also told the last time some of these cats were given to the SPCA that a few were adopted and the rest put down. Why could they not have been given back to the caregiver until a suitable home is found?
To the local vets in the area, why not get joined up with SANS (spaying and neutering society) and help people get animals fixed so the population stays down? Two weeks ago when we called the SPCA and Safe Haven they could not take any cats as there was no room. Well what is it you're going to do with these loving cats that are terrified and have fought to live, have them all destroyed? Again I voice my disgust for the SPCA.
Why don't you people work with good loving people not condemn them.

By B.R. Hall
Chilliwack

*CYA note: His sister is Jill Cooke:halcook2002@yahoo.ca