Posted By: Crystal Kerr, Friday, 20 June 2003, at 12:33 p.m.

I read through the Pet Survivor Program with dismay at the misleading information the SPCA is trying to sell.

What specifically bothers me is the following statement:

"BC SPCA staff visit your pets on a regular basis to ensure your pets are happy and well-cared for."

This already couldn't be further from the truth. Consider the following case that I have documented. In November, a young cat was surrendered to the SPCA along with her sibling. The sibling was adopted out and shortly after, the remaining cat stopped eating. The shelter manager expressed concern about the cat's condition as it was not eating properly. This cat was in turn adopted out to a man who was not informed of the cat's condition. There were no follow up phone calls or home checks to see how the cat was settling in, or to ensure the cat's condition was improving. There was no mention of the standard FREE vet check either. After a week, the man called the SPCA to say that he was worried about the cat as she wasn't eating. The cat was brought back to the shelter, put into a foster home, went into a coma and died of apparent fatty liver syndrome. In light of the fact that no medical information was given upon adoption, no special instructions on feeding or reference to a free vet check were given and no follow up phone call was made to check on the cat, it was obvious negligence that led to this cats death. In fact, this staff member stated "some people get upset if we call them too soon after they adopt because they think we don't trust them and are checking up on them". However, based on this particular cat's condition a follow up call was definitely in order, nevermind the fact that the adopter should have been informed of the cat's health issues and the vet appointment should have been mandatory. It could have saved this cat's life.

The BC SPCA can't deal with the animals they currently have in the system - how on earth do they expect us to believe they are going to ensure our surviving animals are cared for in a system so devoid of competency?

Please, don't put your beloved companions through this; ensure they have guardians of your choice that you trust.