Dear Mr. Daniell,

I was very annoyed to hear that the Victoria SPCA is still intending upon implementing the new assessment test - only one week after a meeting was held - at which many people stated they did not want this test in Victoria.

I have supported the SPCA for years in many ways and always felt that they were doing a great job. It has only been in the past year when I started reading more about the SPCA and learning about dog rescue that I realized I had been supporting an organization that was routinely killing animals for many reasons - and not good reasons either. They had colds, they were sick, they growled, they didn't like cats (imagine that!), they were scared, they needed some training etc etc.

I recently wrote to the Campbell River SPCA because on their website it stated that they "euthanize humanely animals who are not wanted, aging, or sick. I asked what this meant. The reply I received was that they didn't realize that they had this on the website and would look into it. (It has since been removed.) They say they do keep the "unwanted" and the "old" but cannot afford to help the sick. There is no money for that. They tried and ran so far into debt that they had to stop.

I believe this to be the fault of the BC SPCA Head Office and whoever controls the funds. Campbell river doesn't pull in huge adoption fees and so the sick animals must go.

As far as Victoria goes -I am really annoyed. Here is a city that has a huge networking of animals lovers - Rescues, Greater Victoria Animals' Crusaders and Victoria Cat Rescue Corps I believe. I have also heard that Victoria Animal Control (a private contractor) will network with these organizations. I also think the Victoria SPCA has more money than a lot of the other SPCAs.

So why are they turning into a strictly "adoptable pet" center and introducing a test that they may use to kill any other pets that are surrendered - and feel justified doing it?

Also I have heard that the SPCA has said to rescues - You take the bad dogs, feed them, heal them, rehabilitate them, train them - and if you don't - well its your fault they are going to be put down. You can't use this test to assess dogs in a shelter environment. These dogs are sick, scared, abused, neglected, stressed etc.

I have a wonderful dog named "Lady" who came from Victoria. This dog was in such terrible shape when she was found wandering that if she had gone to the Victoria SPCA she would never have passed this assessment test and would be dead today. What a horrible crime this would have been. Instead, the Capital Regional District Pound called GVAC and asked if they would take her into palliative care.

When Lady was taken to the vet she was found to be a roughly 7 year old in deplorable condition. She was taken in by Chelco Farms, Border Collie Rescue and Rehabilition. They nursed this poor dog back into physical, mental and emotional health. Now I have this wonderful dog living in my home and she is a delight.

This is the service that I always believed the SPCA was delivering and quite frankly I feel that I have been led to believe that. I think the Victoria SPCA might just as well close its doors. They are no longer delivering the service that the public thinks they are and I think they are taking advantage of many situations to get donations from the public. They are no longer useful.

G Berger
Chemainus