I love cats and this news saddens me no end. But I’m trying very hard to be realistic. So, okay, 60 cats are a lot of cats to treat for distemper. (And it is treatable.) But maybe the money isn’t there. Benefit of the doubt.

But that begs the question of why this keeps happening. I believe many SPCA shelters need upgrading. They need to provide for better segregation of new and sick animals. They need to provide shelter that is true shelter – a place to be safe. They need to look at shelter designs that alleviate stressors which compromise animals’ immune systems. After so many years in the business, the SPCA knows animals’ susceptibilities, it should know animals’ needs, and it should know the most current information about shelter designs to safeguard health. Facility upgrades are a one-time expense with huge long-term benefits. They needn’t even be that costly. Put out the word and some materials and labour would be donated.

I haven’t visited every shelter in the province and I haven’t sat in on board meetings to know what other priorities they must balance. But it seems to me that shelters which safeguard health should be one of the highest priorities.