The Kamloops Daily News
Monday, July 04, 2005

I am writing in response to the letter from Janet Hobbs (SPCA Deserves Piece Of Relief Fund, The Daily News, June 27).

Ms. Hobbs' concern for the animals is both well warranted and greatly appreciated. Following the wildfires in 2003, the SPCA did receive $10,000 from the Hardship Fund and $10,000 from the North Thompson Relief Fund. The TNRD also gave a matching grant of $10,000. These funds were used to help cover some (although not all) of the extraordinary costs we incurred in evacuating, feeding, fostering, and caring for the animals from the areas affected by the wildfires.

The SPCA is always in need of funds to care for abused, injured, and abandoned animals in Kamloops and the surrounding areas. Our branch cared for 2,567 animals in 2004, and we are on a pace to exceed that number this year. It cost about $350,000 last year to care for these animals and less than 10 per cent of that goes to administration. The SPCA is almost entirely funded by donations from the public and any donations we receive help us help the animals.

Some people mistakenly assume that we are a government agency. We are not. The B.C.

SPCA is a non-profit agency that supports itself through fund-raising and donations. We can always use help, whether that be through peoples' gifts of money or time spent volunteering.

It is another part of our mission to make sure people do not forget about the public trust we hold toward the animals in our community; the animals are the responsibility of everyone. As Mahatma Gandhi stated, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

We are grateful to all who have contributed to our organization, and we hope the giving spirit of our community will continue.

Lindsay Curry
Chairwoman, Community Council
Kamloops Branch, BC SPCA