Kelly is back at the SPCA until Saturday as her foster had to go out of town. Bonnie Bischoff, SPCA assessor, said she has made some progress: eye contact, approached family members, slept inside house at night. The decision therefore is to return Kelly to that home for another 2 weeks as of Saturday May 24, 2003 and then reassess for adoptability. (Amazing what happens with public pressure...thanks everyone).

I expressed my concern over Kelly being moved back and forth and how that alone would contribute to stress. Of course that was met with denial. Frighteningly, she still said euthanasia would be one of the options at the end of two weeks or another foster, rescue group, etc.

Bonnie stated again that this foster home is only short term. When I pushed the issue she said there are very few "long term foster homes" available in our community "community being BC. My response was to state that Cocker Spaniel Rescue Society does fostering all the time in family home settings as do other rescue groups, and is trying to reach her regarding these cockers.

She went on to say that to ask someone to foster for 5 or 6 months just to have to put the animal down would be heartbreaking and not fair to ask of anyone. I replied that I have and will continue to offer to do long term fostering at my own expense. That to relieve ourselves of impending future heartbreak by unilaterally destroying one of these dogs is unacceptable.

I have asked again to adopt another of the dogs as well. Bonnie's response was that we certainly were one of the best homes and she would have to think about which of the dogs would do well in our home with Ivy, but there are people coming in today for interviews and that the dogs will be placed in homes that are best for them, preferably without kennel mates. When questioned whether it is a far better thing to euthanize rather than place with a kennel mate, she continues to site her reasons as doing "what's best for the dog" and their stress levels determining quality of life versus being pts..

I repeatedly offered to assist with Kelly, Barker, Lisa and Fern either to foster or adopt; stating that not just my home but others throughout BC would be available to help and therefore euthanasia should not be part of her considerations when deterring the future of any of these dogs.

I have told her I would like to be kept informed as to the health and welfare of the dogs. Bonnie will be going "out of town" for the rest of the week so she suggested I call and talk to Jennifer Gore which I said I will do.

I am very concerned that throughout my conversation with Bonnie she continued to site euthanasia as an option for consideration against all arguments. I am very concerned that the SPCA will wait out the tide of public concern and quietly continue with their own agenda if the pressure is not maintained. I talk repeatedly of the cockers as they are the dogs I have worked the most with, but there are also a number of shih-tzu and poodle dogs suffering the same assessment procedures and kennelling as well.

When talking to Bonnie she was polite but cautious and reserved. She is very aware that I will continue to inquire as to the welfare of these surrendered dogs.

Kelly has won a temporary reprieve. Yay!!

Lynda