AAS has said the same thing as the Community Consultation Report says in almost the exact same words, since 1999. This recommendation in the SPCA's Community Consultation Report gave us the most hope for true reform of the SPCA - reform that comes from the internal realization of wrong actions and a determination to do the right thing for the right reason. Internal, ethically-driven reform is the only reform that can be trusted. Changes made only under the pressure of bad publicity that affects the bottom line, is not trustworthy. If it is pragmatic or expedient it is capable of shifting and changing according to shifting pressures. AAS advised the SPCA many years ago to do what is best for animals and success would follow.

The SPCA announced the formation of a BC wide consolation with animal lovers after failing in 2001 to frighten AAS into removing its criticisms of the SPCA from its website. AAS responded to the SPCA's lawyer's threats of litigation by refusing to remove our material, but saying that we would temper our website if and when the SPCA reformed.

When the Community Consultation panel released its report, AAS was full of praise for it. And full of misguided hope. Five and a half years later and the SPCA is still in the animal control/disposal contracting business. In fact, it is actively pursuing these dog-catcher contracts. And AAS still receives frequent communications from people who are outraged at the SPCA for what they perceive to be cold indifference by SPCA employees for the welfare of its animals and the cold and comfortless conditions the animals are kept in. This even though most people who contact us say they had never heard of AAS until they spoke to others about their disappointment and anger at their local SPCA. If we hear from 100 a year, think of the hundreds or even thousands of people angry at the SPCA that we haven't heard from.

The Community Consultation Report was honest and true. But it was not honestly and truly implemented. Cruelty prevention was finally started, at first to AAS's great delight, but very soon we saw it as one more dishonesty - this time not only did it involve the same indifference to animal welfare and the same easy killing, but abuse of power too. In fact, it turns out that "cruelty prevention" is a North America-wide business and many of the SPCAs and humane societies that jumped into this new money-maker are being accused of the same things we accuse the SPCA of.

The Community Consultation Report gave the SPCA excellent advice. It was largely ignored or twisted. That is the real reason - not AAS - that the SPCA continues to make people angry at it. And angry people don't donate. They find an organization they can trust to donate to.