I have been noticing a trend over the past few months on the BC SPCA's animals for adoption webpages - I think the SPCA might actually be starting to understand what constitutes an appropriate home for the animals it advertises. Some of the Lower Mainland branches were the first to demonstrate this in their pet bios - those in the interior regions however continued to routinely advertise dogs as being suited to living alone outdoors.

I was pleasantly surprised tonight though to read that the Kamloops SPCA, who not so long ago touted isolation as an appropriate therapy for dogs with separation anxiety, has changed its tune. It now recommends a home that will not leave a dog with separation anxiety alone for very long. Of course true animal welfare organizations have known this for years, and would never have dreamed of suggesting anything else. Is the SPCA finally starting to get it?

Lucky's bio on today's Kamloops SPCA website reads as follows:

Lucky
Dog
German Shepherd Dog,Siberian Husky Mix

Size: Medium
Age: Young
Sex: Male
ID: 22521

Notes: Lucky was abandoned, and was very lucky that a kind person found him and brought him to the shelter. He is a very attractive dog with a thick bushy coat. He is an affectionate and playful dog, who does not like to be left alone, so should go to a home who will not leave him for long periods and will help him to gradually overcome his separation anxiety. He needs to be kept busy.

Compare this to the Kamloops SPCA's bio of a dog named Watson that it advertised on its site just over a year ago. Watson also suffered separation anxiety, but the Kamloops SPCA had far different - and far less humane - suggestions for how to deal with it:

Watson
White German Shepherd, Border Collie Mix
Size: Large
Age: Adult
Sex: Male
I.D:
Notes: Watson is a sixteen month White German Shepherd/Border Collie cross. He is neutered, and would be best as an outdoor dog. He is destructive when left indoors alone. He plays very well with other dogs, and can be quite timid in new situations.

Can we conclude that the SPCA might be starting to get it? Can we conclude that by publically pointing out its mistakes, over and over, lawsuits or not, it is finally starting to improve? Little bit by little bit...I sure hope so. It has been a long and weary struggle, this process of driving the SPCA to reform. But reading bios like Lucky's makes it worth it.

Anyone skeptical about how effective public criticism has been in forcing the SPCA to do true animal welfare should read the thread on this messageboard about Watson. Notice how quickly the SPCA reworded its bio when Watson wound up in the public forum of the AAS website. We will continue to watch the SPCA, publically point out its mistakes, and yes, publically praise it when it gets it right.

http://animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/newsroom.pl/read/4911