Dear Mr. Daniell,.

I am writing you today with a heavy heart. Please take the time to read Goldie's Story.

Goldie, a 13 year old little dog,   was adopted out of the Victoria SPCA near the end of April.  She had been surrendered for euthanasia, but the decision was made by the SPCA to adopt her out instead. 

Goldie weighed 6 lbs 14 oz.at the time of adoption and had just been groomed.  The vet who examined her indicated she needed extensive dental work and extractions.  The people who adopted her were told this but no follow-up was done, no special rate negotiated etc.

Her adoption did not work out and instead of being returned to the shelter, the shelter gave her new owners permission for her to go to another  home.  She was at that home less than a week before being picked up by the Capital Region District  pound on May 26, 2003. Her latest owner paid the fine and got her home.  This happened again.  The third time she was picked up running at large was June 12, 2003.  The newest owners surrendered her to the CRD pound.

I rescued her from the pound with its blessing on June 18,2003.  I took her to a vet of my choice and got antibiotics for her mouth (antirobe) and medication for her ulcerated eye (maxidex).  I also purchased baby aspirin and artificial tears to try and help her.  The intention was to put some weight on her, have her dental work done and see how she was after that.  Goldie could not eat regular food so I fed her roasted chicken in minuscule pieces, which she loved very much but it became apparent very quickly she was too ill to be saved.

I could not allow her to suffer any longer and she was too ill and too underweight to do surgery on. She was skin and bones, all her ribs and her backbone were evident to the lightest touch.  Her weight 6lbs. 8 oz (only 6 oz lighter than when she was at the shelter).

She was euthanised today, June 24,2003.

Greater Victoria Animals' Crusaders do not adopt out animals who are in pain and medically unsound.  How can the SPCA?

Goldie  was a sweet, sweet dog and she did not deserve to be made to suffer.  She did not deserve to be sold from the shelter, rehomed, scared to death in the pound three times and finally treated when it was too late.  She did not deserve the cruel treatment she received.  She was surrendered for euthanasia for a reason and  her needs should have been respected then.  The Victoria SPCA had the obligation to either make her medically sound or euthanize her. 

Can you put safeguards in place so this does not happen again?

The BCSPCA  must ensure it is not part of or an accomplice to the cruelty you are working so hard to stop.

Carol Sonnex