I moved to BC 12 years ago from NFLD where I volunteered and worked at an SPCA for over 5 years. Some of the best people I ever met, were there as well as some I couldn't care to ever speak to again in my life. Our membership had people with a wide variety of values when it came to animals and euthanasia. We had ZERO govt support and operated near towns where people were (I swear) stuck in 1940 when it came to spaying and neutering, or even bringing animals in from in minus 30 degree temps (because their fur will keep them warm right?) I have stolen peoples pets and lied to their faces about seeing their dog/cat, because the law was so grey in regards to acceptable animal care. Some nights I cried and couldn't sleep after sending cages filled with kittens, cats, dogs and puppies to the vet to die. I have seen animals in conditions that would make you vomit. The longer I was there, the less I liked all people.

Our shelter was usually broke. We had only one vet for over 50 miles, and we all know about monopolies. Some of the vet staff were very cold, I guess some people harden themselves so they can bear it, and some of them were members of our Society. I would often stay while animals were put down to make sure they were held while they died, and believe me it takes a toll on your nerves! I don't know how many animals have died in my arms, but I loved every one of them.

I always wished we could have been a no kill type shelter and was never alone in my wish, but I know that unless we can control the birth rates and convince people (and law makers) that owning a pet is a privilege, we will not be able to move ahead. The last thing I want to do is to say it's OK to kill an animal based on any of those 56 reasons. It's NOT. But, where do we put them all? When the last foster home is filled and your neighbor's cat has yet another litter, where do we put them?
-Kelly