To whom it may concern,

As a person who makes financial contributions and often assists the SPCA, I have a number of issues with which the SPCA conducts itself as a
whole. I have worked with many different SPCA facilities to find most of the people to be genuine and caring of animals, putting the needs of an animal first.

On the other hand, I have had the misfortune of communicating with Michelle Rodgers of the Delta SPCA. On more than one occasion I have offered assistance for Dobermans that have been in the Delta shelter. Specifically, in December 2003 I offered to assist the Delta SPCA with a Doberman
pinscher, named Odie, who had been there for quite some time. It was believed that Odie was kept on a chain in a garage for the 5 years of his life. He was not socialized, was aggressive towards men, had bitten a shelter worker (this is documented in his file, which I have), had no training, was not housetrained and was extremely unhealthy.

He was listed for adoption on the SPCA site, even though there was a documented bite and actions of aggression. Ms. Rodgers agreed to release Odie to me for rehabilitation and future adoption. I didn't realize how urgent his situation was until I received him - Ms. Rodgers had slated him to be euthanized as his weight and health was not improving.

I was advised in February that Ms. Rodgers was questioning why it was that I still had not placed Odie in a home. Rehabilitation takes time and we will only place a dog in a home that is suitable for their needs. Obviously, Ms. Rodgers is unaware of the work that goes into training and socialization of a neglected/abused animal, however, it can be done.

Odie's chances of rehabilitation were far less than that of Cheech. He had 5 years of neglect and seclusion and would not hesitate to bite.

Cheech is only a puppy that has not bitten, is playful, likes other dogs, has obedience and is housetrained. The prognosis for his rehabilitation is much better than that of Odie's.

Today, Odie is doing very well. He enjoys attention from all people that come to visit, is good with other dogs, wonderful with children, is obedient and is generally a wonderful dog. He is so well behaved that he is enrolled in a hospital visit program for extended care patients.

I would like to know what the SPCA's, specifically Ms. Rodger's, criteria is to order that a dog be euthanized. If she felt that he was so aggressive, why was he listed for adoption? If he failed his assessment as Ms. Rodgers now claims, why was he a yellow zone dog. Can four people make an error like that? It is more likely that she is untruthfully doing damage control.

Where is the consistency with the dog assessments? Why order euthanasia for a dog that simply growled when he has a history of being abused, and only growled while Ms. Rodgers was manhandling him? Yet, release a dog that has a documented bite and a history of aggression?

Why did Ms. Rodgers remove Cheech's listing on Petfinder... we all know he was there for adoption. It is obvious that she is on damage control and is attempting a cover up. I am not in any way ignorant when it comes to dangerous dog laws. On top of Doberman Rescue BC, we operate an animal control facility and therefore have had to make decisions, including euthanasia, in order to protect the public from aggressive dogs.

I have recently and on numerous occasions offered to assist the Delta SPCA with other Dobermans. Ms. Rodgers has declined my offer, stating that I am not on the approved Rescue List and must fill out an application. I happily agreed to any process and requested the application, however Ms Rogers has yet to forward that to me. There is no application process. Not a single rescue contact on that list had to fill out an application. Although Ms. Rodgers does not know me personally, she has slandered my name and my rescue publicly. All of this, since she realized that I am a friend of Amanda Muir, whom she has no regard for.

There is no need for behavior such as this. Her actions have repeatedly proven to be unprofessional and untruthful. Ms. Rodgers has also displayed significant ignorance and lack of education related to dog behavior.

This issue was forwarded to Mr. Craig Daniell, whom I never did get a response from either.

In addition to offering assistance to dogs, I have offered to provide a home to numerous feral cats. These cats were slated for euthanasia as they were unsocialized and were deemed unadoptable. I live in the interior of BC, have a fairly new barn that is set up for cats. They would have food, water, shelter and some mice & rats to chase. If anything, it is a home for them - and a safe release place for those that were set to be altered and later released. Why would any reasonable person deny an animal of have a protective natural life?

In light of the recent events, I will no longer make financial contributions or offer any assistance to the Delta SPCA. I will not forward
people to the shelter for specific dogs, which I have done for numerous Dobermans in the past. I find the lack of professionalism and ethics displayed by Ms. Rodgers to be absolutely disgusting and most certainly not in the best interest of any animals.

I noticed today that Ms. Rodgers has removed Odie's listing from the Delta Petfinder site. She is aware that we do not have an abundance
of exposure and therefore allowed him to be left on that site. From time to time they have other dogs listed that are not in their possession.

Who is benefiting from the removal of the listing... not the dog. This is simply an example of Ms. Roger's allowing her personal feelings/issues to get in the way of her job - helping animals, but even that goal is not met by her.

I hope that you will review, create and enforce policies with respect to accurate animal assessments, euthanasia guidelines, and rescue group assistance (if you wish to have it). I would also suggest that you appoint appropriately trained personal for management positions, alternatively you could supervise and review their decisions on serious matters. Some supervision of Ms. Rodger's operation of the Delta SPCA would most likely have avoided all of this negative publicity. This coming shortly after the euthanasia of 6 healthy adoptable dogs that were under the care of Kim Archibald of the Surrey SPCA. It is obvious these uneducated managers have been given too much authority, resulting in the animals paying the final price with their lives.

In closing, I find it very disturbing that in order for an animal's life to be saved, he had to be stolen from the very society that prides itself for protecting the ones that cannot speak for themselves. Although I would love to hear from any of you, I do not expect to get a response to this email. It has been my experience (& that of many others) that the society is more than happy to hold their hands out for donations, but does not respond or hold any of their own management accountable for such inappropriate and unprofessional behavior.

Sincerely,
Terra Vallely

Paul & Terra Vallely
Doberman Rescue BC

Email: vallely@telus.net
dobermanrescuebc@hotmail.com