Noted on CKNW, October 12th, 2005 Ms. Chortyk, spokesperson for the BC SPCA is quoted..."the woman was known to them as someone running an independent animal rescue and while they had concerns about what Chortyk says was a clear case of animal hoarding though there had been no formal complaints lodged against her. Chortyk says just this year, the SPCA has already dealt with about 10 rescue operators, who, while good intentioned, take on more animals than they can handle.

Yet in the Province, October 13th, 2005 Ms. Chortyk notes, "there are no hard-and-fast limits on how many pets should be looked after, saying the quality of care is what's important. We have great respect for anyone who wants to help homeless animals," said Chortyk."Their heart is absolutely in the right place. It's a very tragic situation. Chortyk said the SPCA was called in, and found 59 cats that had died of smoke inhalation. Each one was tattooed, and Parent kept a book documenting each of her cats.

It is clear to this writer that Beverly Parent was admired by the rescue community, extended her heart, her home and her finances to save the unwanted and unloved and it appears that a day after Ms. Chortyk condemned Ms. Parent for her devotion to street cats that she now has admiration for a woman who risked her life to save those she loved.

So which is it Ms. Chortyk, is Ms. Parent a "hoarder" or is she a caring and compassionate woman who devoted her life to those who many view as throw away trash?

Gail Moerkerken