Editor
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Times

Re: Pet Owners Share Blame, October 22, 2002

I have been advocating for constructive change within the SPCA by joining the Maple Ridge Animal Services Review Committee, by volunteering with a variety of rescue, education and advocacy groups and in my opinion, Superintendent Nichols is dismissing any responsibility that the SPCA holds for the over crowding within the SPCA shelter system.

For years the SPCA has provided Spay and Neuter Certificates (SNAP) for new adopters. During a Animal Services Review Committee meeting in 2001 the former Maple Ridge Shelter Manager stated that approximately 25% of SNAP certificates are NOT redeemed. This can only lead to the conclusion that the SPCA is responsible for additional unwanted, neglected, abused and euthanized animals.

Many SPCA shelter's do not spay and neuter their animals prior to an adoption and I would suggest that it is long past due that the SPCA review this policy and put into place a mandatory directive that states all animals prior to adoption are spayed or neutered and that paediatric spay and neuter become common practice. This would ensure that the provinces largest animal welfare society does not continue to contribute to the overwhelming, unwelcome population of excess companion animals.

As to your statement regarding identification, I would like to inform you that though many animals have tattoos, it was only last year that a dog lay in wait at our local shelter for six long days before his tattoo was checked for ownership. The SPCA neglected their duties and an animal suffered for it. Responsible owners will spay, neuter, tattoo, tag and/or microchip their animal, but should this animal become lost would you not like to have confidence in the SPCA to know with certainty that at the very least, your beloved pets identification would be followed up.

As to your final statement, "You could be one of them, or you could just keep criticizing..." Many dedicated animal supporters in this community are doing both....volunteering to assist animals in need and providing constructive criticism to ensure that the SPCA provides accountability. Those on the outside of the massive SPCA bureaucracy must ensure that the organization works for one reason and one reason only....quality of life for all shelter animals. The public must be watchful, for without a human voice the animals are speechless.

Here is the article that prompted my letter which was printed October 27th:
http://www.mrtimes.com/103102/opinion/103102op1.html

Gail Moerkerken

(AAS - other reports place the unredeemed certificates at 70%. Every unredeemed certificate means one more potential breeder and $35.00 stays in the SPCA's pocket. Does anyone know what year the spay/neuter certificate program began? Does anyone know the number of certificates issued and the number unredeemed? It would be fairly close to the number of animals "adopted" out by the SPCA as it would include all pups and kittens and many adult dogs and cats.)