B.C. SPCA 1999: SNAP reduces surplus cats: 2003: No more SNAP

Animal Advocates Watchdog

In Response To: From someone who knows: Amanda Muir on the danger of disease transporting, and other thoughts ()

The B.C. SPCA knows spay/neuter programs make a difference!

"Companion Animals

We are seeing a welcome reduction in numbers of surplus cats - a 20% drop over the past four years. We would like to think that this is at least in part due to our efforts through the SNAP (Spay Neuter Action Plan) partnership with the BC Veterinary Medical Association.

While encouraging, the number tell only part of the story. Our Society's number one goal is to no longer have to euthanize healthy adoptable animals. Our Maximum Adoption Task Froce, formed in late 1999, is reviewing best practices across North America. Meanwhile, we are subsidizing thousands of sterilization procedures, under SNAP and related Branch initiatives. We have worked with several municipalities to pass spay/neuter bylaws, and established new off-site adoption partnerships with retailers. We also made increased use of animal transfers between shelters, transporting animals from overcrowded Branches in northern and rural areas to urban centres that had vacant cages and kennels. In May 2000, along with the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, we will host an international conference in Vancouver on Saving Animal Lives, bringing together experts from across Canada and the US."

The only difference now is some of the animals being transported from the north will be going to URBANI centers - ka ching $$$!

BC SPCA FastTracks - January 31, 2003

"SNAP Update
Many Branches have enquired about the Society’s SNAP program. here are currently no certificates available at this time. With the restructuring, responsibilities for the certificate part of the program will fall under Animal Health and Operations. The program is currently being reviewed and an announcement on the future direction of SNAP will be forthcoming. By way of background, SNAP certificates have in past been funded with legacies left directly for spay/neuter initiatives. Currently no resources have been allocated for SNAP. A number of options are being contemplated for Branch level spay/neuter funds including resources for mandatory spay/neuter of shelter animals, spay/neuter initiatives for first nations communities and corporate sponsorships."