Kelowna Daily Courier
June 30, 2006

SPCA policy troubling: Board
Central Okanagan Regional District doesn’t want animals brought to local shelter from other areas of BC
Special to The Daily Courier

Regional directors are concerned that the Kelowna SPCA may not be giving proper attention to local animal control.

The board will write to the head office of the B.C.SPCA expressing its concern.

Kelowna Coun. Brian Given raised the issue at this week’s regional district meeting after what he called the “dumping” of a large number of dogs seized from the Williams Lake area at the local shelter.

The SPCA’s approach, which is to use whatever resources it has across the province to address needs, no matter where they originate, is “hindering work at the local level,” said Givens.

He noted a significant amount of the SPCA’s local funding comes from the regional district.

Board members agreed they were concerned about the trend, and will write to the SPCA about it. An SPCA representative might be asked to speak to the board at a future meeting.

Lake Country Mayor James Baker said the SPCA has not paid much attention in the past to the concerns of local funding agencies.

“Basically, we were told to mind our own business,” he said. “I don’t mind writing a letter but I don’t know if it will be well received.”