Big Heart Rescue still awaits answers on why six dogs lost their lives at the Surrey SPCA.
Big Heart Rescue has tried in vain to discover why six dogs died at the Surrey SPCA on March 24th, 2004 and though we have had many e-mail communications and a meeting with Mr. Daniell, CEO, SPCA we still do not have the facts.
The e-mail below that was sent on May 19th, 2004 has not been responded to and it appears that Mr. Daniell feels this matter is closed.
Big Heart Rescue does not agree that the matter is closed and while kennel cough was one of the reasons for killing six dogs in March and two months later this disease remains active at the Surrey location. It is a well-known medical fact that kennel cough is not eliminated by killing sick dogs and that kennel cough is still present at the Surrey SPCA is proof enough that the killings were not because of kennel cough, but for space.
On behalf of the six dogs (and the thousands more) that lost their lives at the hands of the SPCA, BHR will continue to work towards achieving answers to our questions.
May 19th, 2004
Hello Craig,
Though you have stated in an e-mail that you now consider this matter closed, the Board of Directors of Big Heart believe this matter should be closed only when all interested parties agree that the issues have been resolved to a mutually agreed level of satisfaction.
Board members did not come forward to simply complain about the death of six dogs at the Surrey SPCA but to discuss how this could be prevented in the future and to review what steps could be taken to ensure that lives are not lost needlessly.
The recent media attention focused at the SPCA is far from flattering and the old adage of "where there is smoke, there is fire" holds true. Staff, members of the rescue community and volunteers have requested change on behalf of the animals who find themselves at the SPCA yet there still is the appearance of lack of cooperation and due diligence within the Society. If open and honest communication is not established then how will improvements be made so the animals benefit from all our work?
To address your statements below, first I must say we have agreed and understood that it is not SPCA policy to vaccinate all incoming animals and Willy's vaccination was a mistake. Can you please explain how this mistake was made (a physical observation clearly demonstrated a compromised immune system) and what steps have been taken to ensure that other animals with obvious medical issues do not suffer from the same error in judgement?
You note that no one at the Surrey SPCA blames BHR for the death of six dogs and that the allegations are false. As the person who stated this to Board Members will not allow their name be used, we will have to agree to disagree on this and it is understandable that acceptance of a "rumour" without fact should be disregarded.
During our meeting a memo (dated after the death of the six dogs and Willy) was provided for BHR's review that was authored by Kim Archibald (Manager of the Surrey SPCA), regarding the flow of communication between volunteers, rescue and management. It is BHR's view that this memo clearly indicated that rescue groups were only allowed to speak to Ms. Archibald and that the sharing of information by others was to cease immediately. It is far from a coincidence that all e-mail and phone communication with volunteers and staff have now ended and there is no longer a reaching out to BHR for assistance with dogs at the Surrey SPCA. If volunteers and staff are free to converse with BHR as you said, why then has there been no contact?
Again it is understandable that you have many duties to perform in a day and cannot return voice messages or e-mails as quickly as some would like. On the other hand, BHR is also very busy and yet we find the time to complete follow-up within a maximum of 48 hours, with most calls or e-mails being returned within four hours. With best practises in place many large organizations have followed the 4 hour example and have found customer satisfaction has greatly increased. During our meeting with you BHR requested that you remain in communication, if only to say, "I am working on the issues". Yet, it has consistently been this writer who has called and e-mailed to seek information and to touch base with you.
It has been agreed that there was miscommunication between the Surrey SPCA, BHR and Alouette Animal Hospital. And while it is appreciated that Alouette Animal Hospital received an apology, Big Heart Rescue has not.
The emotional turmoil that members of BHR experienced due to the Surrey SPCA requesting the release of Willy's remains to them was enormous and unnecessary. If Alouette Animal Hospital was deserving of an apology, so is BHR. Additionally, can you explain the process that has now been put into place that will lessen the opportunities of this occurring in the future?
I disagree that my communication with Ms. Archibald was strained and if you review the e-mail exchange between the us, it demonstrates that Ms. Archibald was defensive and unprofessional in her approach when dealing with BHR, an organization dedicated to assisting animals who are suffering from major medical issues or trauma. There was an opportunity for Ms. Archibald to develop a trusting and authentic relationship with an ethical rescue group. Sadly it did not.
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 owners rather than the convenience of a drop and forget attitude.
BHR is more than willing to meet and discuss issues of common concern, but only if there are proactive solutions to the concerns. As was previously stated, BHR came forward to discuss how changes could be made surrounding the circumstances of Willy and the six dogs that died, and yet we have not heard what the solutions are that have been implemented or will be implemented. Can you please outline these solutions?
Finally, to the major issue and that is the death of six dogs in Surrey. Ms. Archibald stated in the April 21st, 2004 Surrey Now newspaper article that, ".... the six had kennel cough and conditions at the shelter made it impossible to isolate them from the healthy animals there". You state in the e-mail below that, " The dogs were euthanized for a variety of reasons, mostly unrelated to anything underway at BHR". What does a variety of reasons consist of and when you refer to severity of the infection are you referring to kennel cough? And what is meant by, "mostly unrelated to anything underway at BHR"? What part was related to BHR? Also noted is the statement that, "....and in the opinion of the manager a lack of a available resources. That was the decision of the manager and under the circumstances cannot find fault with the decision". A volunteer at the Surrey SPCA stated to Ms. Archibald that as she already had an "infected" home and was able to take one or two dogs as a foster. As well, BHR was never approached even though we offered. How is it possible that Ms. Archibald felt there was a lack of available resources when clearly these resources were never contacted for assistance?
It is unfortunate that six dogs lost their lives when resources were available but Ms. Archibald did not ask for help and you support this decision.
The Board of Directors is awaiting your reply and when this is resolved, perhaps there is an opportunity for a mutually respected relationship to develop that will enhance the lives of those in need, that may benefit those who suffer and that can change a death sentence to a life filled with love and devotion.
Regards,
Gail
President
Big Heart Rescue