Under the BC SPCA's "Animal Welfare Policies" statement #27, updated in June 2001, it says:

"The BC SPCA is strongly opposed to Greasy Pig, Chicken Chasing and Similar Competitions which have become frequent "attraction items" at Exhibitions, Country Fairs and suchlike events. The Society urges Municipalities to ban this form of so-called "amusement" from local events under their jurisdictions."

Yet, here they are once again contradicting their policies with their actions by profiting from the sale of tickets to the PNE, which in turn is exploiting animals such as pigs and ducks as entertainment.

And what about the rabbits sitting in tiny cages or the 4-H Club's livestock programs which leave impressionable young kids with mixed feelings regarding the treatment of animals in our society? The name and emblem of 4-H is intended to "represent the ideals of the program with its focus on Head, Heart, Hands, and Health." The Heart is for greater loyalty, but what message, other than betrayal, is the child getting when they sell out their animal friend to auction, knowing full well s(he) is going to be crowded onto a truck bound for slaughter?

BC SPCA Policy Statement # 12 -Slaughter, Humane reads in part:

"The policy of the Society has been, that while it is recognized that literally millions of animals are slaughtered for food each year, that it should be done as humanely as possible."

To put it mildly, I'm less than impressed.