Cross Posted from CYA with Permission:

by Brigitta MacMillan

Maple Ridge has just signed a new contract with the SPCA. The contract was written with reference to everything discussed by the Maple Ridge Animal Services Committee. The committee was made up of concerned citizens, volunteers and SPCA personnel who met between November 2001 and July 2003 to complete a business plan for animal services. Many necessary conditions and requirements were discussed, and I found the last draft of the Maple Ridge Animal Services contract to include these. I am grateful to City Hall for listening.

I heard that the SPCA had no objections to the contract the City had drafted. One person on Council did voice a concern about how realistic is it to limit euthanasia to terminally ill/old animals, or dangerously aggressive animals. (It's common knowledge that there are more homeless pets than homes.) However, according to stats the SPCA gives the City, no cats or dogs have been euthanized for space since 2000 (bottom of http://www.mapleridge.org/community/spca/your_pet.html) and the shelter is not overcrowded currently.

The contract I saw includes the items below, which seems ideal to me. So the City has listened and has done all that the City can do. Now the ball is back in the public's and volunteers' court. A feedback system is to be implemented. If anyone sees anything that concerns them, they should report it. Otherwise the items in the contract are merely words on paper.

"To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men." Abraham Lincoln

I have a lot of respect for the employees I see at the Maple Ridge shelter now. It seems to be a cheerful, caring place (even though the two communal rooms are the size of walk-in closets and many cats still live in cages). It's just good to know a "feedback" system is written into the contract to help ensure that the SPCA will make the animals' welfare a top priority. I wish all municipalities with an SPCA contract would draft the same kind of contract.

Just one CYA member's opinion.

The items below are some of the items discussed by the committee and included in the contract I saw.

All animals:
- will be monitored for medical conditions and those who seem sick will immediately get veterinary care. An Animal Health Technician will examine each animal weekly at a minimum
- requiring medical attention beyond the scope of SPCA staff will be taken to local vets
- will get good quality food
- will be immediately vaccinated except for very young animals and nursing mothers.
- will be exercised regularly

Euthanasia will be limited to terminally ill animals, old animals who've lost their faculties, and extremely aggressive animals who are a danger to the public. Records of all animals euthanized, along with the reason, will be given to city hall.

The SPCA should aggressively promote adoptions, and all applicants must meet all requirements on the adoption application.

The SPCA must see that each animal, prior to adoption, is: spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, and tattooed, and give out literature on proper care and a short checklist noting any obvious traits of the animal.

A staff person will be volunteer manager and will be trained in volunteer coordination and management.

All volunteers will be screened for suitability, and job descriptions/orientation sheets will be available for each volunteer position.

The SPCA will develop a procedure for encouraging customer feedback, including customer feedback forms, and procedures for tracking and resolving complaints. Quarterly reports will be given to city hall.

All employees at the shelter will be trained in animal control and welfare by a recognized institution/program and will have regular performance evaluations.

Monthly and annual reports to city hall will include the number of animals, by type, euthanized with a breakdown of animals not adoptable due to health or old age and will include a report on significant issues and events at the shelter.

The SPCA will make semi annual presentations to Council including updates on the shelter, volunteer activities, public comments etc.