Ms. Halligan says in the Chilliwack Progress, "We don't euthanize for space and our goal is to find places for needy animals that are brought in when the shelter is full."

Big Heart Rescue met with Ms. Halligan, Manager Chilliwack SPCA and Mr. Daniell, CEO, SPCA.

Below is the exchange between Mr Daniell and Big Heart Rescue's question on euthanasia and space limitations.

Mr. Daniell's written statement:
As regards space, there are very real space limitations at many of our shelters. We do the best that we can under difficult circumstances. whilst everyone else turns animals away, we accept animals. It would be easy for the Society to adopt the same protocol, but how much of a solution would that be. Is space an issue for the Society? Yes, particularly in shelters where we accommodate 3,000 and more animals a year.

This writers response:
The issue of over-crowding is a contentious one that contains many side line issues but it has been stated and stated over again by the SPCA that it does not kill for over-crowding. Perhaps if the general public understood that dumping their animal at the SPCA may result in the animals death, they would think twice about doing so. The public has been lead to believe that only the very ill and most aggressive animals will be euthanized, but we who are connected in the animal welfare community know this is not the truth. Would a public education policy on fact versus fiction not promote a lessening of the over-crowding at the SPCA and maybe animals could be re-homed through greater efforts of the owner's rather than the convenience of a drop and forget attitude.

So, does the SPCA kill for lack of space or not?

Gail Moerkerken
President
Big Heart Rescue