May 17, 2003

Hello Kim,

I have expressed to you that there is a very real concern about CAMP and the use of its "assessment" tool when evaluating animals for euthanasia and why there is a general lack of trust in the SPCA by small rescue organizations.

It now appears that my fears about CAMP have been confirmed (again) by the needless euthanasia of Brenda, a small cocker spaniel, and Tamra, a poodle cross, by the Kamloops SPCA . On March 29th, 2003 a large group of unsocialized, neglected and frightened puppy mill dogs were surrendered to the Kamloops SPCA and a few days ago Brenda and Tamra were killed after spending six weeks in the shelter, their greatest crime that of being extremely shy!

Kim, there had been many requests from community members and volunteers to foster and rehabilitate these dogs yet they languished for six long weeks in the shelter. The end result is that both Bonnie and Tamra lost their lives, not ever given the opportunity to be rehabilitated in a skilled foster home.

When Big Heart Rescue recently asked you for financial assistance from the SPCA for a small team of rescuers who were trapping and saving many unsocialized dogs abandoned on a property near Huston, BC, you did not answer if it would assist financially, but you asked Big Heart Rescue to take a leap of faith and begin a trusting relationship with the SPCA by providing you with detailed information of the dogs and their location. Yet you would not or could not promise that these dogs would remain with the rescue group to safely begin their second chance in life.

The Kamloops example clearly demonstrates why it seems impossible to allow the SPCA to be involved in this current rescue situation. We will not and cannot trust the lives of these animals to the high-risk CAMP. We know the remaining dogs can be saved from euthanasia and will be successfully re-homed after medical treatments, rehabilitation, training and socialization - in other words, with the remediation that the SPCA says is part of CAMP, but which is not.

It is a sad day for animals in this province, when a small group of dedicated rescuers must save animals from the very organization mandated to defend and save those who have been abused, neglected and abandoned.

Gail Moerkerken
Big Heart Rescue