The Latest BCSPCA - "Strategic Plan" More of the same! With the following - why on earth would the Board of Directors, or anyone else for that matter, think that the BCSPCA would do anything else than continue to deteriorate, shrink and ultimately disappear altogether? Nowhere in this plan is there anything which addresses the basic and fundamental causes of the loss of members and donations which has occurred.

* More Head Office staff
* More reductions in Branch Staff
* More branches identified for possible closure - 6 - Prince Rupert, Williams Lake, Boundary, Chilliwack, Vernon, Wild Arc (Victoria)
* More reductions in support and services for branches - 13, Abbotsford, Shuswap, Comox, Cowichan, North Cariboo, Namaimo, Alberni, Sunshine Coast, North Peace, South Peace, Quesnel, Squamish, Victoria.
* More time before all branches pre-adoption spay / neuter. A goal of 2010!
* More avoidance of the feral cat issue by pushing it off onto other people and agencies without helping them.
* More and wider implementation of the so-called "scientific" DTA4 dog assessment program.
* More acknowledgment that there has been a reduction in advocacy for the animals.
* More profits to be sought from any animal control contracts with municipalities.
* More excuses for the deteriorating conditions in the facilities and the lack of action to address them.
* More Branch Managers.
* More Head Office bureaucracy in volunteer management and in all kinds of policies and procedures.
* More cuts in Branch spending - stated as "Cost-Savings" in the plan.
* More asking for donations, by everyone
* More Biscuit fund with increased range of control by Head Office over a wide range of veterinary expenses.
* More emphasis on getting additional members. There doesn't appear to be any reason why people should actually become members!
* More attempts to get the Provincial Government to cover the cost of cruelty investigations.

An interesting opportunity may be the intent of the BCSPCA to request amendments to the PCA Act. If this is accepted by the Ministry responsible then perhaps other interested people will also be able to have the opportunity to recommend amendments to the PCA Act?

Mike Stephen
Victoria BC