Hi Shirley,

Remember this --

"First known cruelty seizure of primates in Canada. BC SPCA Seizes 103
Animals Including 15 Primates in Cruelty Investigation"
[http://www.spca.bc.ca/primates/press-release.htm]?

"The monkeys were confiscated in November 2002. The SPCA contacted me a
couple of months later inquiring about possible sanctuary placement in the
U.S. ...Throughout the entire ordeal, the people at the BC SPCA have been running
hot/cold. When Linda or I needed information from them... it was like pulling teeth
to get a return email or phone call from them. However, when they needed something
from us for their paperwork,they'd contact us at the last minute [in a "need this yesterday!" manner]
and allude to "euthanizing" the monkeys if we didn't jump through hoops to get the info to them ASAP.
I told Linda that it was like emotional blackmail!

Though the BC-SPCA Director told Linda and I during a conference call that
they had received "very generous donations" as a result of the 'Primate Rescue Fund'
they launched after the confiscation, they were reticent to provide any funding to
Mindy's Memory for enclosures to be built [due to the pairings, the monkeys are in two
groups which means building two enclosures,
etc.] When Linda explained that she couldn't foot the bill without their
help, they offered $5,000.00... a total which they expected would provide
for any transportation costs, two enclosures and lifetime care of the
monkeys... Of course, that was only a fraction of what is needed -- the
transport costs alone will be half that amount...

Linda and I began seeking funding to make up the difference since the
BC SPCA kept using the "E" word, but had very little luck. With relocation
of the monkeys eminent, Linda had no choice but to tell BC-SPCA that she
couldn't swing it without more funding from them.

The response to her request is...the BC SPCA is agreeing to $10,000 but
get this: "In light of the difficulties we have faced with these primates, I
suspect that future seizures of similar species will force us to consider
euthanasia as a more serious option." Errrrrr! This is tantamount to
saying: "Hey, we'd give away monkeys but we need to keep any monies we raise
from their plight... Your greed will likely cost others their life in the
future."

These particular monkeys will have a good home when they get to Mindy's
Memory, but I'll be happy to have this rescue over for other reasons...
Namely, so that I don't have to deal with the BC SPCA anymore.

Based on (that) message and from what we've experienced throughout our
dealings with them, if they confiscate any monkeys in the future, we'll have
to keep a close eye on them. I'd imagine that they would keep the monkeys
around for a couple of months to fundraise from them and then they'll kill
them.

Just venting,
Linda