Letter to BC SPCA Board of Directors

----- Original Message -----
From: glenn
To: BC SPCA ; Red Lawrence ; Peter MacKillop ; Carla Maruyama ; Mary Lou Troman ; Bonnie Bischoff ; Marguerite Vogal ; Vanessa Lycos ; Vicky Renneburg
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 10:17 AM
Subject: Vernon Shelter

To: President & Board BC SPCA

Re: BC SPCA Strategic Plan & proposed changes to the Vernon & District SPCA shelter to become the interior center for seized animals.

It has become quite obvious after meeting with the president and CEO, they have long ago decided this change will take place. They claim this decision was with the unanimous approval of the Vernon shelter staff and the Community Council. I am sure this was the case, but the staff know, if they did not approve this plan, the chances are, they could be out of a job, as the shelter could possibly close. The Community Council is comprised of five members, two of which are on a sabbatical. The president may claim this plan has unanimous approval, but we are not talking about very many people representing the community, as a matter of fact, the meeting on September 6th, when you take away the head office staff, Vernon and Kelowna shelter staff and the few volunteers present, most people were against this change. There has been a great deal of dissatisfaction with the minimal services the BC SPCA is providing for the North Okanagan in the recent past, this change to shelter services will only compound the community`s growing distain of the society. I believe if the President, CEO and General Manager of Operations are honest with their opinions, they will confirm the Vernon shelter lacks any real direction or management, service levels have deteriorated drastically over the past four years and the public, not to mention the politicians are becoming openly hostile toward the BC SPCA.
It also became evident if this issue had not been raised to the media and politicians, the citizens and especially the people committed to animal welfare in the North Okanagan, would not have been aware of the proposed changes to the service provided at the Vernon shelter. I have received calls from former SPCA supporters and a few that still do support the shelter, but not the SPCA. The one constant feeling from most conversations is; the BC SPCA hijacked our shelter, cut services and now wants to make changes that might reduce the services to local animals, services that have already been reduced. These people cannot understand why the BC SPCA is not concentrating on the animal welfare problems of the area such as spaying and neutering every dog and cat adopted from the shelter.
I know, but most other animal lovers in this area do not know the reasons why the BC SPCA wants to implement the Strategic Plan proposal and does not spay / neuter all adopted cats and dogs. All decisions are made with radical financial restraints resulting from a continuing string of ill advised policy`s and decisions. The BOD must start making decisions based on what is best for all animals in B.C. and go outside the society, to include the many sincere and caring people in this province that have a wealth of experience and knowledge, when it comes to animal welfare. The CEO and senior staff may not always advise, or steer the board in the right direction. I believe this to be the case on many recent issues. I would like to feel the BOD has the strength and foresight to not always make their decisions based on the CEO`s policies, as a few of those have created nothing short of a disaster for the society. The popular belief outside the BC SPCA is; the CEO is in over his head.
Another issue I raised at the same meeting was how the BC SPCA lost the dog control contract for the Vernon shelter. This contract, including dog license sales is worth $135,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year or, $405,000.00 - $420,000.00 over the 3 year contract, close to the amount of the deficit. - I realize this a gross figure before operating costs. The General Manager of Operations dismissed my question over a year ago, when I asked why the BC SPCA did not submit a RFP to RDNO. The answer this time, I presume because the President and CEO were in attendance was, it took 19 days for the mail to reach its destination?? Something this important to the society should have been hand delivered, sent special delivery or registered mail. I am surprised the society still has the same General Manager of Operations.
The intention of this letter is to ask the BOD to consider all options in regard to the changes proposed for the Vernon shelter. I stated to President Mary Lou Troman, myself and / or others would be open to any dialogue with the BOD to discuss the future of the Vernon shelter, as like any organization or society, the community must be on board to ensure future success. At the present time the BC SPCA is not providing the service the public expects for the needy animals of the North Okanagan. The public is becoming impatient and disgusted attending meetings with the society`s representatives long winded, convoluted bafflegab, self-promoting and self- congratulatory love-in for themselves.

Glenn Miller

Former 1st. Vice president & Life member - Vernon & District SPCA

250-542-9588 250-549-0736 glennmiller44@shaw.ca