This e-mail has been sent to Mr. Paul Gill who chaired the "animal services" review committee in Maple Ridge:

Hi Paul,

It has been months since the "animal services" review committee was struck and developed a new business plan for animal services in Maple Ridge. This plan has been presented to city council and we now await word on its progress through the system.

With the SPCA's recently announced moratorium on euthanasia, the overcrowding at the shelter is placing a great deal of stress on the animals...especially the cats. Additional under sized cages have been placed in an already too small location and cats are going without water for up to 18 hours, as there is no end of shift check taking place to ensure basic needs are meet.

There is an IMMEDIATE need for a trailer to be placed on the property to assist with small animal care, and every day that goes by with this horrible overcrowding enhances the chances for infection to spread throughout the entire cat population, thus creating an even greater hazard for these animals, which could cost them their lives!

Rick Flavel is leaving the shelter at the end of this month and I do believe that it would be in Maple Ridge's best interest to have this trailer in place before he departs.

Please advise as soon as possible what the next step can be in implementing assistance for the animals of Maple Ridge.