Animal Advocates Watchdog

Re: Negative feedback upsets Nanaimo's SPCA workers

http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=593d6ef6-1523-4489-8a79-00dbee2c8247&k=37399

Comments continued: Page 2

Jona KristinssonThu, Dec 23, 10 at 03:18 PM
How is it that All volunteers and fosters...that spend TIME at the shelter helping out... have NOTHING but GOOD things to say about the shelter and staff? It's not like we have a pay check to worry about loosing if we didin't say something nice. If you look back on the negatives...most of them can't even write under they're real names. If all you negatives are REAL animal lovers, it should be about the animals right??? So I will see you all IN the shelter in the next coming weeks scrubbing cages and changing litter boxes. MORE action, LESS talking!!!!!!

Mark TThu, Dec 23, 10 at 03:40 PM
Wow. this is an absolutely disgusting thread to read which is CLEARLY full of comments from former disgruntled volunteers. You should be ashamed and you know who you are. This sort of behavior does nothing to help the animals.The BC SPCA is NOT a "no kill" organization-and shouldn't be!! People throw that around and have no idea what it means. To have such a policy in effect allows for not only the physical suffering of animals, but the emotional ones was as well. People who are not involved in the animal welfare field, not animal rights ( and there IS a difference) need to educate themselves properly. I could go on an on about all of the selfish comments and whining on here...but I won't . Yes, in a perfect world when you went into a non profit animal shelter full of people surrendering their ailing and geriatric animals to a room full of others doing just the same...your donations would be greatly appreciated and the staff would drop everything and thank you profusely. But sometimes that doesn't happen. And sure, recognition is always nice..but that isn't why you do it, is it??? If it was me..and I saw all of that going on and the overworked staff trying to deal with the people, the phones, the emotions stemming from the dog they just had to euthanize because some one hit it with their car and left it on the the grass to die, or the the 17 year old cat a family surrendered because they were "moving":...I'd say a small prayer for our world, leave my donations and while being thankful that wasn't my job,wonder if I could handle it with such dignity. I challenge all of you to work one day in a place so taxing on your soul, where you see the worst of mankind and then continue to be slammed for you not-so-chipper mood. Walk a mile and then judge.

LauraThu, Dec 23, 10 at 03:46 PM
I second that Jona!! Keep doing the work you do!!! It's for the animals!!!

cdnbgirlThu, Dec 23, 10 at 04:55 PM
I had a friend who volunteered with the nanaimo SPCA and she got very frustrated after awhile.....The issue she had was that the paid staff who had been there for so long were mainly the issue as they had no customer service skills at all..They wer'nt going anywhere so she finally got to the point where she had to leave. She tried offering suggestions, feedback, on how to improve things, and all she encountered was hostility...:(

LisaThu, Dec 23, 10 at 04:59 PM
I once rushed in a little animal (thought it was a ferret but was a mink) that was sick and dying and the staff were wonderful and whisked the animal to the vet right away. Sometimes the attitude you see in others in a reflection of your own.
Jona KristinssonThu, Dec 23, 10 at 05:51 PM
Carol....l I DON'T WORK THERE , I VOLUNTEER...SO now WHO has to Load they're Brain before shooting out they're mouth. See you At the Shelter!!!!!!! Peace,

old phoot Thu, Dec 23, 10 at 05:58 PM
One thing is for certain the people who hang out at the scpa and their followers ,have no problem writting long winded excuses and berates to those who challenge them. I wonder how they find the time to write all these lines ? I thought they were totally over worked protecting the cats and dogs from us brainless,cruel sobs ? oh the other day someone commented on the cruelity that certain breeds must endure to fit into the mold of perfect dog,you know .the ones with no tails and pointy ears? when will the spca and its many bleeding heart followers do something to stop these actions? Is it not their mandate to prevent cruelity to animals?? ok you long winded rightous ones how about an answer or excuse at least !!!

Re: CaroleThu, Dec 23, 10 at 06:49 PM
WOW Carole, Firstly Jona clearly states that she is a volunteer, she doesn't work there! By saying you pay their wages (which are less than a Tim Hortons or Mcdonalds Employee) I assume you mean by all the money you donate every year? I hope so, because if you are referring to taxes of some kind you are sorely mistaken. The SPCA receives no funding from local or provincial Govt. To suggest that SPCA employees are in it for a paycheque is laughable and probably the worst insult you could throw at them!

LorraineThu, Dec 23, 10 at 07:40 PM
I am that staff member that has been at the spca for 20 years and until you walk a mile in my shoes, then you have no right to talk about me. I have seen it all from the person who brought in a 17 year old cat because she moved in with her boy friend who didn't want fur on his couch. To the guy who brought in a 11 dog cause he was moving, also the countess animals that people bring to us that they have been neglecting over the years that they dump on the Spca. Cruelty cases that will make you cry, like the one day I was out on a call and found a dog inside a refrigerator freezer that was unplugged on the ground with 2 tires untop to keep the dog inside of it, the owners put the dog in there to kill it because it had fleas, when I kicked the tires off the fridge and opened the door this dog who was in there for 7 days popped her head up and looked at me, I jumped back a few feet, she started wagging her tail and she so happy to see me, ( those people got a slap on the wrist )So yes the Spca tries to educate these people and of course thats not what they want to hear but sometimes the truth is what needs to be said. The Spca is not city or government funded and is run solely on donations, so when people say they are not donating to the Spca because of a bad experience, they are not taking away from the over worked and under paid staff they are taking the food and the care away from the homeless animals that the Spca has been because someone has decided that they no longer want their pet, its time people step up and look after their own responsibility, when you adopted a pet it is for life! Do you have kids then get rid of them because they got to big? and ps come volunteer with us see first hand at what the Spca has to deal with.

re old phootThu, Dec 23, 10 at 08:16 PM
i have time to respond to the uneducated and belligerent, asinine and generally pathetic posts because I'm on holidays and taking a break from my preparations and family, to respond to ignorance and hatred, like yours. The docking of ears and tails of specific breeds of dogs and cats, is a horrible and cruel practice. The BC SPCA was created under the auspices of the provincial Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA Act), and is the only animal welfare organization in BC that has the authority to enforce laws relating to animal cruelty, and to recommend charges for Crown Counsel for the prosecution of individuals who inflict suffering on animals. They also operate under the Criminal Code of Canada's Animal Abuse Guidelines. There is no Cruelty investigation force, it is usually one or two officers per jurisdiction. Who's days are spent responding and investigating to cruelty reports. Perhaps you could use your time researching facilities that operate to dock tails and ears, and report them. Then this horrendous practice could be stopped. You, know, rather than spreading anger and hatred.

AudreyThu, Dec 23, 10 at 08:50 PM
I have had wonderful experiences at all SPCA's I have been to BUT Nanaimo :( unfortunatly they have no people skills, they lied to me, and were rude to my children. I never go there anymore which makes me sad because I would rather adopt from my own community.....I have to agree there reputation is well deserved in Nanaimo but I hate to think of all SPCA's are painted with the same brush :(

CaroleThu, Dec 23, 10 at 10:40 PM
To all these people attacking me( I REST MY CASE) you are not worth talking to because as I said in the first place you are all rude and disrectful.And by the way the lady whose cat I brought in had died so I can't talk to her ,do you understand that and her cat was not a beast,is that the way you talk when you love animals.And I was treates like dirt don't bother responding anymore because I am not going to be in this site anymore to talk to a bunch of people who are not worth talking to.God Bless The animals under your care.....Good bye

anneThu, Dec 23, 10 at 10:57 PM
I have had nothing but positive experiences with the SPCA, and appreciate all the people who work and volunteer there.

excuses. Thu, Dec 23, 10 at 11:07 PM
Lorraine. Your experiences should not effect your customer service skills. You do have a reputation, for being rude as do all the front end staff. If you value animals so much, you would all work to change this, instead of making excuses. Or justifying your actions instead of taking action to change things. You have your supporters as do most people and I'm sure your heart is in the right place. However, I have lived here long enough and had my own personal experiences there to know there is definite room for improvement in that location. I support the SPCA and what it stand for. I am thankful for the kind-hearted people who give their time and money to make it work. First and foremost the people who donate. But I would never tell people to donate to the Nanaimo SPCA, because of so many peoples negative experiences there. I believe in house checks and the process taken to make sure animals go to loving homes, but i do not believe in the mistreatment of people who want to give your cat overpopulation homes. So many people wont' adopt from the Nanaimo location because of this exact problem. If it's made the news, there's obviously an issue. The first step to change is first admitting the problem. You need to start taking responsibility instead of blaming others. For your sake and the reputation of Nanaimo's SPCA. I use to donate to your location and won't anymore, I know many others who did too and they have chosen other places to donate to instead. Do you see where the problem is??? Your losing the most important part of it all. Peoples' trust in you enough to give you their money. Change is good, Make some.

Emily Thu, Dec 23, 10 at 11:36 PM
The Nanaimo SPCA staff goes above and beyond for the animals in its care, which should be what people are judging the staff on. They are committed, knowledgeable and are prime examples of what people in this industry should be like. They are working dealing with the mess that the public creates...homeless animals dumped for no reason and in many cases in rough shape, needing vet care like you wouldn't believe. They deal with sick and dying animals and stupid people all day and meanwhile have to provide care for your discarded animals on top of it. I recently adopted a dog from the SPCA...a 3 legged pit bull named Casha from Victoria. She was treated ABOVE and BEYOND by the staff and would have been put to sleep if they didn't care about the animals. While I WAS treated AMAZINGLY by the staff, I wouldn't have cared if I wasn't. They are not there to make me feel like I've been treated wonderfully, they are there to help the animals, and in that case, JOB WELL DONE! My hat goes off to the staff at the SPCA, dealing with the things that you don't have the stomach to do, and they do it on what little donations that they have. The Nanaimo branch is no different and I support them fully. Why do I support them? Because the staff has proven that they care about the animals, and that's all I care about. Besides, they ARE nice. I've met and dealt with the assistant manager and you better hope that she's there fighting for the animals like she is, because she's totally committed and knowledgeable. If you want good service, go to the spa. If you want people who care about the animals in their care, go to the Nanaimo SPCA and check your ego at the door!

StopandthinkThu, Dec 23, 10 at 11:45 PM
I find myself fighting with sympathizing with those people that have had less than friendly experiences with the Nanaimo staff. I get it and I experienced it first-hand. We adopted a wonderful dog from the shelter but we almost didn't. They weren't rude but they didn't exactly encourage us. We persevered and got to know them and they are great! Here is the difficult part: I cannot deny that the work they do is extraordinary and I cannot even begin to fathom the capacity for human cruelty that they have witnessed. But.......does that excuse treating people rudely? I don't think there is ever an excuse to be rude to people. We all get tested, tried and pushed. Emotions can run deep. I rage at the stories of cruelty that I know only scratch the surface of what many of these staff have seen. The danger arises when we allow these moments of anger to become entrenched. When we begin to become hard and refuse to take even a moment to let people win us over. Many of the people that walk through the door may be flaky or cruel or irresposible. But some of them also may be kind, devoted and committed animal lovers just like the staff at the Nanaimo SPCA. I just hope that we all get the chance to show our true colours.

ANFri, Dec 24, 10 at 02:31 AM
Interesting how all the comments stray away from the point of the article. The issue at hand here is how the public is being treated by the staff. The staff.. regardless of how stressful the work is, have no right to be outright rude to the public. It has nothing to do with the things the staff deal with day in and day out. We all know the job is a hard one. We all know how much they care about the animals. The rules for adopting these pets and so forth.. have nothing to do with the issue at hand here. The public people that come in to the SPCA are being treated poorly. This is not okay.. and clearly has become a big enough issue for an article in the paper to be written about it. This issue at hand needs to be dealt with. I too have experienced the rudeness, as well as alot of people I know. It is a very talked about subject in this town. And same in my case, always the women at the front desk that have been there many many years. The volunteers are always super sweet and kind. I think perhaps it's time to switch the staffing around. These women obviously love and adore the animals and shouldn't be removed from the job. However placing some new people at the front to help the public that are more "service oriented" would be the wise decision. There are many people that won't go to the SPCA because of this issue, and that right there is not fair to the animals. If everyone loves the animals so much.. then please fix this situation for everyone involved. Including the public that want to help, but won't due to this issue.

KateFri, Dec 24, 10 at 03:18 AM
Think for a minute The people that bring in sick, old, neglected animals or a healthy litter of kittens, animals abandoned on their property, or the bf doesen't like cat hair. Hmmmm, or maybe your new spouse or child is horribly allergic. Whatever the reason, don't these animals deserve to have a loving, caring home. If people are treated with disrespect, berated and judged these people may be more inclined to abandon the animals on the roadside. I think most of us would agree. I believe that most people that bring in animals are trying to do the right thing. I also believe education is important and that education should be given in a respectful way. People bringing in animals should not be judged only educated. You always get a lot further with honey................. And it goes both ways................

KinikinikFri, Dec 24, 10 at 12:59 PM
Melanie, I'm thinkin at least three of the above posts are by you m'dear. ANYWAYS, what I think needs to happen for staff at SPCA is some investment in those volunteers. In reviewing all the posts, I agree, altruism seems an obvious reason for even the most disagreeable volunteer/staff at the SPCA. I can believe they receive abuse. People are like sponges, they can only soak up so much abuse, then once that sponge is full, anyone coming into contact with that saturated sponge, ends up with some it(abuse) on them. I suggest to the Executive Director that he identify some budget and some resources into board/volunteer development/maintenance. It's time for the burnt out volunteers to renew so that they can stop passing on the abuse they see happening to animals onto the humans with which they interract. When is the last time you took your board, volunteer and staff into a healing retreat???? If your organization is not meeting its targets, you will lose money anyway, better invest it into capacity building of your volunteers and staff.

YakFri, Dec 24, 10 at 01:11 PM
Like any "business", change has to start from the top. Leon has been there a few years now and obviously needed staffing changes have not occurred. The reputation of the Nanaimo SPCA has been critically damaged due to a few bad apples with limited people skills and bad attitudes, which directly affects the animals in a variety of ways - less adoptions, less donations, less volunteers, etc. Sorry to say but some of these staff need to go Leon and if you haven't figured out which ones by now, ask any of the volunteers. Please take immediate action Leon - for the animals.

old phootFri, Dec 24, 10 at 01:22 PM
RE old phoot .......thank you whoever you are for answering my Question about docking tails. It was exactly what I expected. Excuse me but the spca is the frontline. It is your JOB to investigate cruel acts inflicked on animals. Instead you write line after line attackingfolks about their education,intellegence,and integrity. And now you want me to investigate tail docking on my own, when you have all the info in front of you???? talk about assinine ,belligerent and hateful posts I suggest that the staff that are giving all this advice to the general public take a course in how to get along with people better. nough said but please address this cruel practice of docking and cutting ears!! show the public you have cajones ......oh sorry I forgot that the tail docking industry and the vets that turn a blind eye donate big time to the org. silly me I forgot that.

Michelle BrownFri, Dec 24, 10 at 01:27 PM
I don't think anyone for a minute thinks that the SPCA does not look after the animals in their care well. I think the point is, be more understanding when an animal is brought in. You don't always know the circumstances at the persons home. Just be thankful the animal is now in your care and not dropped off in the woods or worse. Please be more understanding for the sake of the animals.

woof woof Fri, Dec 24, 10 at 01:57 PM
My ol gran pappi told me once if it walks,talks and acts like a duck there is a good chance its a duck..After reading all the complaints about the spca staff ,and their flimsy excuses and attempts to turn legit comments into some kind of vendetta against the general public ,one would have to say that the staff at the local spca are indeed ducks.

Rachel PorteousFri, Dec 24, 10 at 03:11 PM
I have taken considerable time to read and reflect on the above news story and all of the comments as I myself have stopped going to the Nanaimo SPCA because of being ignored or treated rudely. I fully appreciate what the staff and volunteers go through day to day and am very thankful that they are doing the work that they do! It is very sad to be in such need of their service, truly. I must point out though that though there are truly evil people in this world who are cruel to animals there is a negative presumptions being made of the rest of us who dearly love animals and want nothing more than to give a cat or dog a loving home for the rest of its life. Those negative presumptions are further being propagated here on this discussion board and believe me your not helping the situation of how PEOPLE are being treated by those that visit the Nanaimo SPCA! Yes, some people do not have the intestinal fortitude to admit that they can no longer care for the animal when they bring it in and tell a story of "finding" the animal but in their hearts they are they not doing the right thing by bringing to the SPCA, or would it be better to dump at the roadside for the SPCA to find later. Does this truly make them a BAD pet owner??? Projecting these negative assumptions to all that come through the door is the equivalent of "guilty until proven innocent". To send the message that basically if you cannot care for an animal for all of its life no matter what life throws at you means your a BAD pet owner and can't possibly love animals is absurd! We all want to be financially stable for our whole lives but we can't predict what will happen 5 years or so down the road and we shouldn't be made to feel that we are BAD pet owners because, for example, the economy crashes and we lose our jobs, our homes and if necessary our pets. I truly do commend all of you at the SPCA, you do a job that is a sad necessity but please remember it is PEOPLE who you need to adopt pets, and PEOPLE who you depend on for donations, and PEOPLE who will come in to volunteer so your skills on how to deal with people need to be as important as how you treat the animals. The SPCA deals with a lot of ugliness at the hands of people but please remember that the majority of us are loving and want nothing more than to share that love with a pet....we shouldn't be made to feel that we are BAD pet owners that have prove we are good (this is not to say screening isn't necessary...its that attitude while performing the screening that needs to change). Other SPCA's on the island manage this, so should you in Nanaimo.

I want my tail backFri, Dec 24, 10 at 03:52 PM
Old phoot ,I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for an answer from the spca (not a meaningful one at least)about the practice of tail docking. I have complained numerous times,they will do nothing about it except pretend it isn't cruel.

Rachel Porteous @JonaFri, Dec 24, 10 at 04:49 PM
To Jona Kristinsson I applaud your dedication to the welfare of animals but the disrespectful tones of your comments on this board are at the root of the Nanaimo SPCA's bad reputation for how people are treated. Your comment, "I have seen them go out on a limb to rescue abused, gravely ill and injured animals (that YOU threw out like last weeks left overs)" is a negative presumption that you clearly project to all who come in (not to mention your harsh retaliations...not rebuttals but RETALIATIONS on this discussion board). If everyone at the SPCA shares in your attitude towards the majority of good people who love animals then it is no wonder that the news paper has written an article about it and has now generated so much heat on the discussion board. And before you possibly find reason to attack me on the discussion board about "more action, less talking" and "see you all in the shelter next coming weeks scrubbing cages..." talk is cheap but I put my money where my mouth is and donate a fair amount to the SPCA. So I may not be in scrubbing cages but I am sure I'm not the only one helping pay for the disinfectant! To the Nanaimo SPCA, Please take a lesson from Jona Kristinsson on how not to treat everyday good people doing the best they can to make the right choices concerning animal ownership and welfare. Please remember that those who are cruel to animals are the minority...the majority of us want to do what's best for the animals and just need some compassionate understanding and education. Try to find it in your hearts to be the bigger person when spoken to abusively and share your compassion that you have for animals to people too. Hopefully someday we won't have a need for the SPCA but until then I do thank you for being there doing the work you do for the animals.

marlaFri, Dec 24, 10 at 06:41 PM
I am just shaking my head reading the comments by the staff at the Nanaimo SPCA. UMMMMMMMM??????? I THINK YOU"RE JUST MAKING THINGS WORSE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KelliFri, Dec 24, 10 at 08:39 PM
@Lorraine, the dog that was locked in the fridge was what, 15 years ago? Are you still holding on to that? You are the reason I stopped volunteering and giving generously to the SPCA. Leon are you listening????

MandyFri, Dec 24, 10 at 09:59 PM
1 The SPCA Staff do a Awesome job Taking the responsibility for Animals cowards have abandoned or neglected. 2 This is about their people skills that lack in the front. If I was able to treat patients this way due to my day, I'd be in a big heap of trouble. 3 If you get a Pet IT'S FOR LIFE!. Don't go and get a animal if you have no idea what your future holds or if you can't take the responsibility when your life changes. Its Your responsibility to care for them. I'd never get rid of a animal, I've had my dog for 15 years. And been through many life events. NOT once even thought of getting rid of my dog. Its A coward thing to do,

@MandySat, Dec 25, 10 at 02:59 AM
Aren't you the lucky one to be able to tell the future..I have to guess you must be retired and have had nothing but the good life your whole life and to be so blessed as to pass judgement on those who do come across misfortune. Giving up your dog when life on occasion turns sour is not a coward thing to do...quite the opposite actually. Its one of the most courageous and loving things the owner could do is to give up a loved pet with the hopes that pet will get a second chance to another loving owner and be able to provide financially what the first owner could not! Shame on you for being so sanctimonious and judgemental!! By your words you would rather the person who could likely become homeless to drag the animal around on the streets with them!!! I think not! Life gives us ups and downs and we all make mistakes (that;s what makes us human) and I am thankful that there is an organization such as the SPCA that is there to help! I just think it is unfortunate that when people make these courageous decisions regarding the well being of their pet and trying to do what's best for them that the that they are not treated with understanding and compassion.

ShannonSat, Dec 25, 10 at 06:44 AM
I have to agree with Marla! Staff should think about what they're putting on here. Does not look good people.

ken and judy Sat, Dec 25, 10 at 09:22 PM
Most of the people writing on here..seriously...you've probably surrendered an animal, been turned down , or investigated. It''s overwhelming and disgusting how you all think you have the right to judge. You know so little and are so self righteous. Pathetic. Pathetic.

Not buying the excusesMon, Dec 27, 10 at 08:32 PM
I can hear the phone calls flying between the SPCA staff & volunteers my guess is that there wont be any more comments from them because they are just proving the NDN story point to a T! To Lorraine very touching story indeed however you left out what should have been the first sentence."Yes we are rude and condescending,but here's why" As far as walking in YOUR SHOE'S ,honey you couldn't fit in one of my boots! For 20 years I dealt with,cared for and seen the abuse of babies,children and elderly with broken bones,contusions,black eyes and broken noses,cigarette burns,dislocated joints,rape victims,malnourished children and elderly and had many of them die in my arms...That's right Lorraine beaten,battered, bruised & buried and I'm talking humans.Did I have resentment for the animals responsible for these horrendous acts?Sure I did and a lot of it,but I stayed professional and did my job.The one thing I didn't do is treat people who walked onto my ward as if they were all guilty of these acts as I felt your staff (maybe you Lorraine) did to me the day I walked into your shelter. As stated above I have come into contact with the Nanaimo SPCA but one time to inquire about the purchase of a dog licence and walked out of there swearing NEVER again will I step foot in that building.After reading some of the peoples complaints on this thread and after my experience and reading the staffs comments above I'd say that there are some venomous people at the top of this organization and that venom is spreading down the staff chain as it will if it go's unchecked as it seems it has.Time for some house cleaning Mr Davis if you are indeed even reading these comments?...Dear Editor,,The comment above with the name:@KELLI & @CAROLEThu, Dec 23, 10 at 07:16 PM....I assume written by one of the staff or volunteers at the SPCA has some rather terrible and disgusting language in it.Could you please remove it?Although Im sure most people have now read it and we can clearly see the type of people who are at this facility and the venom they spew.Thank you for an honest and enlightening story NDN staff.

old phoot Tue, Dec 28, 10 at 01:55 PM
It appears the spca and the holier then thou wanna-bees don't care to comment on the cruel act of chopping off dogs tails and mutilating their ears.someone on this comment board (Iassumeit it was a spca employee)quoted some kind of cruelity law numbers. I'm sure the dogs that suffer from this insane practice are very relieved that the spca knows there are laws against cruelty,and that the spca knows what number the act is !! Now make Fido happy and do something about this bizarre and cruel vanity practice!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WowsersTue, Dec 28, 10 at 06:32 PM
Wowsers people we are entitled to our own opinions, answers etc but this thread has turned into a chat room! I feel so much resented energy in here that I think this is blown out of proportion in many ways. I like the idea of the SPCA being around and I am grateful for the work staff and volunteers do, I could never own an animal when I am renting because a lot of places now do not allow pets and if they do they charge a mighty damage deposit. As a matter of fact because of this I had to give my beloved pets away and I love training the wild ones, mom was the one who always did this and now I follow in her shoes but yes it is true many places are over-ran with cats and when we do get one trained all we can do is to give it a good home or wait for a spot to put the cat or cats. I see many cats just dumped in the ditches, bushes, dumpsters etc and this breaks my heart. I can only let it go for so long than I end up feeding the cat by dropping food in the bush or where they are staying! I can'yt help myself and at the same time I do know my limits, see the price of cat food these days?

Please listenWed, Dec 29, 10 at 01:59 PM
We all would agree that the animals are the priority in the context of the original article. Hence, the only thing that matters is if the degree of rudeness and negativity spoken of here is enough to effect the numbers of people coming in to adopt, specifically at the Nanaimo Branch of the SPCA. Not the SPCA in general, not the workload and emotional toll of the job, not the no-kill policy or the docking of tails, not the cruelty of some owners (though all are topics in their own right ) While there is always the excuse that all organizationsn receive critism, this criticism is specifc to our local branch and there really is a lot of it.The common thread seeming most relevant to the issue is the over all rudeness of some staff and an unwelcoming environment in general mentioned by several people. The orignal article was an awareness plea to the public and the public responded. It may not have turned out to be the type of responses the SPCA intended to illicit, but one cannot deny the connection between the article and the numbers of people who, due to their own experience will never return to adopt. Criticism is hard to take and very easy to dismiss. The choice is ultimatley the Nanaimo SPCAs to make. Listen and learn, show some humility and reconnect with the public or become defensive and ignore input in order to justify the behaviour mentioned so that it can be continued. If the latter is the response chosen then let it be said that the ego of those complained about were deemed more important than the pleas of the public, and most importantly more than the welfare of some of the animals who might otherwise have been adopted. Use the feedback as a learning tool(as that is what it should be) and please remember that reasonable public feedback should not be dismissed any more than the compassion and kindness of the good employees and volunteers should be.

double speakWed, Dec 29, 10 at 03:53 PM
Maybe they do good work for the animals but they treat people like shit. I was embarrassed for them when I took my kids there to bring in an animal we found abandoned. They were nasty and accused us of owning the animal, neglecting it and then dumping it on them when I said I was there to bring it in to save its life AND make a donation for their good work. The payback -- they took my name and address off my cheque and let me know I would be blacklisted from adopting animals from them -- and every other SPCA in BC. Awesome! My daughter also wanted to ask about volunteering. I'll never enter that building again and my kids were left with a very negative life-long impression that animals brought to the SPCA were not ending up in a happy place at all. No matter what kind of rough day you've had, that's no way to treat people who care about animals, a potential volunteer, and a donor. The rest of the comments are lame attempts at justification for a poorly run organization whose public behaviour and interaction has severely, negatively impacted its mission and the welfare of animals in Nanaimo.

MikeWed, Dec 29, 10 at 05:03 PM
There is no excuse for rude and/or poor service. Clearly, management must deal with this issue. If Leon Davis is unable or refuses to deal with the customer service issue, then he should be replaced.
Solution to the SPCAWed, Dec 29, 10 at 05:54 PM
A much more effective and efficient solution is to turn the SPCA into a crematoria.

Dog Owner Wed, Dec 29, 10 at 06:22 PM
I adopted a dog from the Duncan SPCA and found all the staff to be awesome. We recently found an abandoned dog walking down the middle of the highway in the middle of the night on a weekend. We took it home and called the Nanaimo pound - they never called us back. The dog had a Lake Cowichan tag so we called the Duncan SPCA. Rick at the Duncan SPCA called us about 5 times with updates as he tried to find out information for us. He was very helpful. We couldn't find the owners so turned the dog into the Nanaimo SPCA. The eventually found the owner. I've never had anything other than good experiences with the SPCA and their staff.

RtThu, Dec 30, 10 at 02:05 AM
Recently went to the SPCA looking to adopt a dog. Yes my boyfriend and I work full time and already have one healthy and happy small dog at home. Left the SPCA feeling as though the staff felt they were better than us and the experience actually made me NOT want to adopt a dog from them due to their rudeness. Went to the City Pound and adopted a dog an hour later!

Take it as you mayThu, Dec 30, 10 at 09:52 AM
I think Nanaimo SPCA needs re-evaluation and the public has a right to their opinion - we pay the bills! I think part of the application and staff hiring process should include an SPCA visit to the persons own home first to see how they live. I think when a company gets donations from the public they have a responsibility to make sure staff is fully trained and animal friendly (I will include humans with "animal").

KellyThu, Dec 30, 10 at 10:03 AM
Most importantly the SPCA has to realise that the better public relations the more $$$ to operate business. The bad reputation is destroying your donations every year. I have heard so many people say they "used" to donate to SPCA and now they dont. Get it together for the animals and have some bloody common sense - you're losing more money then MC Hammer! Get out there and show Nanaimo you're different from the publics perception.

CRThu, Dec 30, 10 at 03:06 PM
The Nanaimo SPCA has left me feeling cold. I have often gone in to donate high quality food and treats. I have never been acknowledged. I don't expect a huge thank you, I just do it for the animals and hope it helps. I have also submitted 2 applications to be a volunteer dog walker, but no one has contacted me. We are now in Mexico and volunteering for an organization called ALMA that helps hugely with stray animals (spay, neutering, fostering, adoptions). I am so busy and feel so fulfilled with the work I'm doing with them. It's too bad I couldn't make a connection at the Nanaimo SPCA, as I live there for 6 months of the year.

HERE HERE Thu, Dec 30, 10 at 05:12 PM
for those of you sharing constructive criticism and personal stories of how the SPCA is treating the public and I think we are all in consensus that having a rough day is no excuse for how you treat the next person who comes through the door! NANAIMO SPCA I HOPE YOUR LISTENING!! Swallow the ego, ditch the excuses and do WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE ANIMALS! Its been said over and over...you need PEOPLE to donate, adopt and volunteer so start working on treating people with some respect and dignity!

Frances McGownFri, Dec 31, 10 at 05:47 PM
I truly wish to adopt a cat, but the current situation at the NSPCA was a serious deterrant. I won't say too much about staff - it must be dishearterning to have to care for animals in these disgraceful surroundings. No room to really sit and visit with an animal; bad air ((several cats showed signs of respiratory problems); and uneven floors, narrow passageways made walking hazardous for this senior. And how do the animals get any exercise? UPSETTING!

jamesMon, Jan 3, 11 at 12:21 PM
the spca as been rude to there costumers and i have no disire to donaite to them please pepole do not bother with the spca at all!!!!!!!!

KarenWed, Jan 5, 11 at 10:41 AM
The Victoria Spca is horrible, my mother used to donate for years,not any more. So many complaints,pertaining to the manager, but they fall on deaf ears to the hierarchy it's all about the dollar and not the animals.

Messages In This Thread

Negative feedback upsets Nanaimo's SPCA workers *LINK*
Number of adoptions at Nanaimo SPCA is way down
Re: Negative feedback upsets Nanaimo's SPCA workers
Re: Negative feedback upsets Nanaimo's SPCA workers
Experience with SPCA was not a positive one

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