B.C.SPCA public website - http://www.spca.bc.ca/media/VancouverSunResponse_March312005_Press.asp

Below is the text of a letter that BC SPCA Volunteer President Mary Lou Troman wrote to the Vancouver Sun in response to an article appearing in the newspaper on March 31, 2005:

Dear Editor:
As volunteer President of the BC SPCA, I have the privilege of volunteering alongside literally thousands of amazing volunteers and staff members who make incredible personal sacrifices every day to make our province a safer and more humane place for animals. I find it sad that your Daily Special article yesterday chose to ignore the significant accomplishments of these people and to paint the SPCA's future as uncertain when nothing could be further from the truth. While the SPCA holds animal control contracts in many municipalities where it is mutually-beneficial, it is important to emphasize that our organization is much more than an animal control agency.

Our primary mission, carried out in our 37 branches throughout the province, is our charitable work to help animals in need -- the investigation of cruelty complaints, humane education for thousands of young people, emergency rescue and sheltering for animals in distress, protection for farm animals, wildlife rehabilitation, reducing pet overpopulation and a wide range of other services for animals in need. No animal welfare organization in BC has the capacity to support as many animals as the BC SPCA. Through the support of our loyal and caring donors, we were able to help more than 53,000 homeless, injured, abused and lost animals last year.

I find Judy Stone's determination to dredge up out of date and inaccurate information and her absolute refusal to acknowledge positive changes wearisome. Her ongoing attempts to discredit the Society only hampers our ability to support the animals who need us. Such a lack of appreciation for the incredible work carried out by tremendously dedicated people is disrespectful and mean-spirited. Our supporters, our volunteers and our staff care very deeply about animal welfare in British Columbia and on behalf of the animals, I certainly appreciate their devotion and commitment.

The BC SPCA will continue to evolve, change and improve over the years, but our future is by no means uncertain. We have cared for millions of animals in distress since the Society was created 109 years ago, and we will continue to exist as long as there are animals who need our help. I encourage your readers to learn more about the animals we care for and the people who care about them through our website at www.spca.bc.ca.

Mary Lou Troman
Volunteer President, BC SPCA