To Barbara Yaffe
Every time I have asked for euthanasia statistics I've been told that staff didn't have the time to collect such information. In June 2003 I asked Nadine Gourkow for specific information about the number of dogs and cats entering the SPCA system and the number adopted, released, and euthanized. Proper record keeping is the foundation of statistical analysis. In an e-mail Ms. Gourkow claimed to be "too short staffed" to provide any numbers.
You, Ms Yaffe, printed in your article that the SPCA "... does not have statistics on the number that get euthanized although it is working on compiling them for The Vancouver Sun."
In his letter published today Craig Daniell states "In fact, the B.C. SPCA has one of the lowest euthanasia rates anywhere in North America ...."
It is hard to believe that the SPCA have compiled the information in such a short time, and also compared it to all of the other euthanasia rates throughout North America, as Mr Daniell clearly states has happened.
I hope that you will publish the elusive statistics once you have examined them.
Joann Bessler
AAS Research Coordinator
Mr Daniell says that the SPCA does not have euthanasia stats but in a August 2002 article in the Vancouver Courier, the SPCA seems to have them:
"Euthanasia at Vancouver SPCA shelters is down 62 per cent for cats and 26 per cent for dogs in the five months since the non-profit organization ended euthanization of animals for anything other than health reasons.
"B.C. SPCA euthanasia statistics were already among the lowest in North America when the "no-kill" policy was introduced. Of the 28,882 animals handled by the SPCA in the Lower Mainland last year, approximately 2,800-roughly 10 per cent-were euthanized, mainly for medical and temperament reasons. " Perhaps the SPCA lost the euthanasia stats? It doesn't really matter as it just makes them up as it goes along anyway.
Some assistance for Mr Daniell's euthanasia count
http://www.animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/newsroom.pl/read/5206
At least it's not 75,000 a year anymore
http://www.animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/newsroom.pl/read/5207
Lorie Chortyk can help Daniell with his body count: According to her the SPCA only kills 1% of dogs
http://www.animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/newsroom.pl/read/5208