From: carol sonnex
To: bhoulihan@spca.bc.ca
Cc: mthorntn@pris.bc.ca ; phyllisgregg@telus.net ; kimby_59@yahoo.ca ; Bonnie Biscoff ; kared@telus.net ; tigerbowen@yahoo.com ; Gail Peterson ; Norma LePage ; tinakcr@hotmail.com ; Howard/Joan ; carla_maruyama@hermanmiller.com ; Red Lawrence ; vanessa.lycos@shaw.ca ; Vicky Renneberg ; Peter MacKillop ; mltroman@ntouchcorp.com ; Craig Daniell
Sent: Sunday, October 10, 2004 6:37 AM
Subject: Pick up of injured animals in Victoria

Dear Mr. Houlihan,

It has come to my attention from various sources that the BC SPCA intends to no longer pick up and care for injured animals in Victoria.

I am particularily confused as to why this is even a consideration as the BC SPCA's own website contains:
"The PCA Act allows the constable to intercede whenever any animal, with the exception of native wildlife, which is specifically excluded by the Act, is found to be in a state of distress.
Distress is defined in the PCA Act as follows:
For the purposes of this Act, an animal is in distress if it is

deprived of adequate food, water or shelter;
injured, sick, in pain or suffering; or
abused or neglected "
With this definition on the website how can the BC SPCA in Victoria justify simply walking away from their mandated responsibilities?

Personally I remember sitting in the office of the Victoria SPCA a couple of years ago and discussing this issue with you. At that time you stated that the BC SPCA would never turn away from an injured animal who could be in critical distress. However, that seems to be no longer the case. The present manager of the Victoria facility has on another occasion explained how she does not consider injured animals to be part of the SPCA's mandate.

Could you be so kind to answer the following question:
Is it the intention of the BC SPCA to no longer uphold their mandate to intercede when an animal is in distress in Victoria and surrounding municipalities?

Yours sincerely,

Carol Sonnex
home phone # supplied