March 11, 2007

Honourable John Les, Solicitor General
Honourable Pat Bell, Minister of Agriculture

Review of the BC SPCA

The BC SPCA is the largest, most powerful, and wealthiest animal welfare agency in the province and as it is not governed by the Society Act, its activities have gone largely unscrutinized by government. Yet this agency needs to be held to account.

Why was it ever granted the unique dual status of a public body and a non-profit society in the first place? There are a number of faults with this system, among them being the lack of transparency with respect to enforcement activities, and the fact that animal welfare and enforcement of cruelty laws are separate functions. In addition, the BC SPCA has the privilege of overseeing other registered animal charities, yet there is no neutral body available should there be a complaint from the public regarding its internal or external actions or operations.

There are many examples of shortcomings and failings within the current structure that have drawn media attention. Among them was a raid on Forgotten Felines in 2003, the infamous Cheech (dog) incident of 2004, and now Finnegan in 2007. The level of care administered to animals under its charge was also brought into question in Barbara Yaffe’s "A Prison Camp for Animals" in the Vancouver Sun in 2004. A lawsuit filed against Animal Advocates Society of BC in 2004 made news as did Mr. Van Dongen’s battles with the BC SPCA. A major story in 2001 was Chief Executive Doug Hooper’s $204,000+ salary. Huge numbers of perfectly adoptable animals were being killed on a regular basis during that time and the public was outraged.

Despite appearances, or claims that healthy animals are no longer being killed for space reasons, this simply is not true. Rabbits and cats certainly are, especially at high volume centres, such as Surrey. Why, too, does the BC SPCA maintain a business relationship with Petcetera, a retailer whose trade includes the selling of baby rabbits? In 1997, Nicholas Read of the Vancouver Sun, accurately pointed out that its "business practices perpetuate inhumane attitudes and practices."

Matters of animal welfare and control, pound contracts, the possibly questionable enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, fiscal management, leadership abilities, as well as the statutory powers held by the BC SPCA are of widespread concern. Therefore I ask that the Provincial government examine and review their status.

It’s time for a new, open, proactive and coordinated approach to animal welfare issues of the 21st century. The current system is open to misuse and simply is not adequate, serving neither our animals nor the public well.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Carmina Gooch, Director
Pacific Animal Foundation,
Pets In Need
North Vancouver, BC

For further information see the following links:

http://www.animaladvocates.com/top-stories/

http://www.animaladvocates.com/lawsuit/

http://www.animaladvocates.com/rabbits/

PAF appeared before North Vancouver City Council to ask Council to combine Animal Welfare Services with the District of North Vancouver http://animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/newsroom.pl/read/14199

PAF's Address to Council: What do City taxpayers want - and what are they getting from their contract with the BC SPCA? http://animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/newsroom.pl/read/14200

Supplemental materials also presented to North Van City Council http://animaladvocates.com/cgi-bin/newsroom.pl/read/14213