Published: Tuesday, March 16, 2010
A Katie's Place volunteer outlined a litany of concerns about how the local SPCA animal shelter is being run, including unnecessary euthanization of animals, at a Maple Ridge committee of the whole meeting Monday.

Brigitta MacMillan told council she wasn't there representing Katie's Place, but was speaking as an individual. However, she said other people share her concerns but are "reluctant to step forward."

MacMillan said the SPCA "has appeared hostile" towards Katie's Place and SPCA volunteers associated with Katie's Place.

MacMillan claimed that "acrimony" between the SPCA and Katie's Place prevented the SPCA from sending cats to Katie's Place between March and December of last year and cats that could have been sent to Katie's Place ended up being euthanized.

MacMillan also said the SPCA has long had an "antagonistic" relationship with volunteers.

"They've created a repressive atmosphere in which people fear speaking up," said MacMillan.

MacMillan also argued that the SPCA isn't accountable to the community about euthanization of animals and its euthanasia policy. She mentioned the cases of three separate cats that had been euthanized in situations she argued were unnecessary. "Volunteers are treated dismissively, and animals' lives are expendable," she said.

MacMillan told council that when she attempted to get information about cats that had been euthanized she was told the information was confidential and officials demanded to know the source of her information "with more than a hint of retribution."

"They showed no interest in events that resulted in preventable deaths," she said.

MacMillan said she'd like to see Maple Ridge council re-establish an animal services committee to act as "arbiter" in disputes between the SPCA, citizens and volunteers.

She said when the committee previously existed it created a draft contract that restricted euthanasia to animals that were terminally ill with no hope of recovery, animals that had lost control of "normal faculties" due to age and an extremely aggressive animals that posed a risk to the public.

MacMillan also questioned whether donations from the public are being allocated to their intended purpose. She said in 1990 a local citizen donated $625,000 for a new shelter but she questioned whether any of that money will now still be available for its intended purpose or whether it's already been spent.

MacMillan also accused the SPCA of "flawed expertise" when it comes to attempting to prevent upper respiratory infections in cats. She said SPCA volunteers were told that if they had previously been at Katie's Place they should go home, shower and wash their hair and clothes before entering the shelter. MacMillan said the measures "seemed designed to impede volunteers rather than improve animal welfare." After her presentation Councillor Craig Speirs thanked her for coming forward and said it showed "bravery" to do so and indicated there are still unresolved issues.

He said with the new SPCA shelter construction underway he would "hate for this acrimony" between the two groups to continue.

He said he'd like to see the groups meet to resolve differences "instead of two solitudes developing and acrimony and retribution."

"I would like everybody to take a deep breath... and try to create a future that's a little more inclusive," said Speirs.

Speirs added he doesn't want to "take sides" and believes both organizations love animals.

Councillor Judy Dueck said she wants to have a discussion about the animal services committee at an upcoming council meeting and to find out from staff why it was disbanded.

"I think that everybody's heart is in the right place," she said. "Obviously there's still a breakdown in communication...I don't think that's healthy for the community as a whole."

Council agreed to discuss the issue at an upcoming workshop meeting. The TIMES was unable to reach the SPCA for comment by press time.