June 7, 2004. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. Craig Daniell, CEO of the BC SPCA, expressed anger today over a media story that suggested the organization is not fiscally responsible. "We approved a cash-based, balanced budget for 2004 and are completely on track with our spending," he said. "We monitor our monthly financial statements very closely and we are well within our budgeted spending levels for the first quarter."

Daniell says he is confident the Society will finish the year with a balanced budget as planned. "The SPCA is the primary organization caring for abused, injured and homeless animals in BC and it is extremely expensive to provide emergency care and services for the 57,000 animals we help each year," he says. "But we recognized in June of 2003 that we needed to take drastic steps to reduce our organization and to deal with the escalating costs of our programs and we have done so." He explained that the loss shown in for the first quarter of 2004 is anticipated in the budget cycle. "The expenditures for providing emergency care and rescue for animals are fairly consistent throughout the year, but we receive the majority of our revenue during the third and fourth quarters. This cash flow situation corrects itself over the budget year."

Daniell said it is totally irresponsible for individuals to attack the SPCA without getting their facts straight. "We rely almost completely on public donations to care for abused, injured, sick and homeless animals. When this kind of misinformation is spread through the media, it hurts donations, and ultimately, hurts the animals."

Daniell said that the accusation that the SPCA has high administration costs is also completely untrue. "Our administration costs are 10% -- one of the lowest percentages of any non-profit organization," he explains. "We spend 11% on revenue development to raise funds to help the animals and the rest - 79% of the SPCA's budget - is spent on direct care for animals." For self-appointed animal critics to suggest to SPCA donors that their money is not directly helping animals is absurd and destructive, says Daniell. "These false accusations ultimately result in donors withholding money that would help animals in distress." He added that the Society posts its financial statements on its SPCA website and any member of the public is welcome to contact the SPCA for information on how their donations are spent.

Last year the SPCA: Conducted more than 9,000 cruelty investigations, resulting in a record number of cruelty convictions against BC puppy mill operations and others who committed crimes against animals; found new homes for 35,000 abandoned or surrendered animals; provided emergency medical treatment and spay/neuter services for thousands of animals; cared for more than 4,000 injured wildlife; and provided humane education programs for thousands of BC school children.