Volunteers and supporters of the SPCA are deeply saddened and feeling hopeless after a hastily arranged meeting at the Victoria SPCA held Monday. The room was packed for a presentation by Nadine Gourkow of the BCSPCA, the creator of CAMP (Companion Animal Management Program), a temperament testing tool being used to evaluate dogs coming into SPCA branches all over BC. Volunteers wanted to know if dogs, some of whom they had been training for weeks and had became very fond of, would be euthanized to make space for dogs sent in from other branches in the province who are more adoptable. This was confirmed by Ms. Gourkow.

A number of volunteers broke into tears. A woman whispered to the person seated next to her that she won't be a dog walker there any more. Another said she would no longer be able to report neglected, abused animals or report puppymills. One woman tearfully asked Gourkow if she understands how it feels to work with the dogs and see them improving only to have them killed for space.

This is nothing more than the BCSPCA's latest, misleading attempt to deal with the problem of excess dogs. It demonstrates so clearly and in the most appalling terms a total lack of compassion for the animals and disregard for why countless volunteers, employees, CAC members, supporters and donors became involved.

There has been enormous criticism of CAMP since its inception last summer. And all of it has fallen on deaf ears. Another version of CAMP is to be implemented in a few months. This latest version succeeds in giving a glitzy, clinical, researched-based "feel" that the BCSPCA is doing something. Ms. Gourkow said that she wants feedback. Last night she heard from many people, some longtime volunteers with concerns affecting their decision whether to be involved with the SPCA any longer.

This could be yet another in a series of crises that have plagued the SPCA in recent years.

Anita Horne
Victoria, BC