Teaching the next generation about animal welfare is of great importance.
The BC SPCA by its size has a much greater opportunity to do more and to positively influence the next generation.

But in the March 6th edition of the Surrey Newsleader this article appeared.
http://www.surreyleader.com/

Changes coming to SPCA youth programs

By Sheila Reynolds
Staff Reporter
Mar 06 2005

SPCA kids' programs that have operated out of the Surrey shelter for the past 12 years is set to undergo some changes - and some parents and kids are less than pleased with the planned transformation.
Currently, kids aged eight to 15 can volunteer at the shelter after school and on weekends, and are primarily involved with small animal care such as feeding, cleaning cages and playing with critters such as cats, bunnies and dogs.
The Surrey locale, on 152 St. near 67 Ave., is the province's only animal learning centre for young people. The program has been running since 1993 and it's estimated about 60 kids participate annually.
According to Craig Naherniac, general manager of humane education for the BCSPCA, the provincial organization wants to do more with the limited funds targeted to animal education programming for young people.
The goal of the changes, details of which still have to be discussed with the shelter's staff, are two-fold, said Naherniac.
First, the SPCA wants to increase the number of kids that come through the program.
"The program we run out there is great," he says. "But it costs us a fair amount of resources to staff it and I want to make sure we have as many kids that get an experience as possible."
As well, Naherniac wants to get further into the community doing things such as setting up public displays centred on an animal issue like pet identification or spaying and neutering.
"These kids have learned lots about small animal care ... we want to take that learning and bring it into the schools and community," he said, adding the number of animals connected with the program (about 30) will be reduced. "Ninety-nine per cent of what they do is come in and learn how to clean the cages and they don't learn all these other skills."
But some people aren't happy about the changes.
Alice McQuade's 15-year-old daughter has been volunteering at the local shelter for seven years. She said the current program is unique and valuable and argues there should have at least been some consultation with parents and young people involved.
"Some of these kids are very dedicated - they've been doing this for years," McQuade said. "Even if there are valid reasons, they've not been communicated."
She also said the plan to get rid of many of the animals is a bad one.
"They're going to make it so unattractive - who'll want to go there?" asks McQuade.
Leona Planko, who ran the program under contract for the past eight years, opted not to review her contract in January.
Contacted by The Leader last week, Planko cited internal politics and family reasons for her departure, but admitted she didn't agree with the new vision.
"I really see the importance to have the hands-on experience and having them feel as though it's a second home," Planko said. "We may not have reached out to as many children, but we had a great impact on those we did."
And while getting out into the community is good in theory, she said her experience has shown her there are simply children who won't want to, or can't, do that.
The interaction with animals, said Planko, was something all kids - including those with special needs, behavioural problems, or intense shyness - could benefit from.
"I saw something I really love and it changed. If that has to happen, it has to happen, but I don't want to be part of it."
The budget for the animal learning centre is close to $100,000 and comes entirely from donations and federal grants for summer camps.
The camps will continue to operate throughout the Lower Mainland, but may be expanded if funding allows, said Naherniac.
He said the bottom line is the SPCA has to more with fewer dollars. Due to cutbacks, the organization already lost five humane educators province-wide in the past two years.
While the children's learning centre has operated on a free, drop-off basis in the past, the SPCA hopes to recoup some of the costs of the program as well as attract more volunteers.

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On March 18th one of the youth involved comments in the same paper:

Youth workers do more than clean cages

Mar 18 2005

I'd like to set a few facts straight about the article that you ran in The Leader March 6. My name is Samantha McQuade, and I am the "15-year-old daughter of Alice McQuade," referred to in the article.
I have been volunteering at the SPCA Animal Learning Center for seven years now, and throughout these years I have accumulated countless skills, and cherished memories.
I was completely outraged when I read the comments insinuating that all the volunteers and youth club members do is clean animal cages! Anyone who took the time to come in and have a tour of our facilities could attest to the fact that we do so much more than simply clean cages.
Not only are we taught to care for animals, but we are also mentored by the exemplary leaders of our youth program. They have taught me about the importance of my voice as a youth, and the amazing things that I can accomplish, even at the age of 15.
Not only have I learned about animal welfare and cruelty free testing, I have also been given the opportunity to enlighten others with this information, and my summer volunteering as a junior counsellor at the ALC camps.
I am given the opportunity to work with children, educating them about animal care and empathy; I assist with clerical work, and make presentations in the community with the leaders of the youth program.
This youth center embodies charitable spirit, combining fun with education, and a safe exciting place for kids to learn about animals. It is my position that this program is an invaluable asset to our community.
Its desecration would be unforgivable, and I hope that no one was deterred by the narrow focus that Mr. Craig Naherniak portrayed it in. I assure all readers that the many dedicated and hard working SPCA Learning Centre Volunteers do not share this opinion.
Samantha McQuade
Surrey