| August 16/00
To whom it may concern,
There are many things about the SPCA that I wish more people knew. I have volunteered
there for many years. Here are only a few of the things I have witnessed:
- An older poodle mix scheduled to be killed; she limped for unknown reasons, but was not
in pain. I offered to take her; they insisted that I pay for a hip operation at their
clinic and boarding. (My impression was that their decision being challenged was not
appreciated.) It cost $350 to get her out. She still limped after, but found a happy home
through me.
- An older be-barked dog, sheduled to die, terribly matted but other than needing dental
work, healthy. I had to pay over $200 which included boarding to get him out.
- Older dogs and cats are routinely killed. They usually need no more
than dental work to make them healthy. They "take up space" longer
than more quickly adopted young pets.
- People who bring in sick or injured pets, and can't afford all the costs to treat
the animal at once, are most often advised to surrender the animal to the SPCA (it will
most likely be killed). If they are reluctant, they are referred to small non-profit
groups as a source of funds.
- Animals brought in by owners to be killed sit in cages for hours and sometimes days. I
have seen a frightened dog that was brought in on a Friday and was still waiting to die on
Sunday.
-Animals are put up for adoption before being spayed or neutered. The reason given is that
it would be a waste to neuter them if they didn't get adopted and were killed. How many of
those adopted intact went on to http://produce litters?
Volunteers are often treated with distain and suspicion. Turnover of volunteers is very
high. It is only those with a thick skin and determination to help the animals that stay.
M. Taylor,
Vancouver |
