----- Original Message -----
From: Lana
To: Penny Kirkpatrick
Cc: animaladvocates@telus.net
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 5:47 PM
Subject: Re: Greater Vancouver Zoo
Dear Ms. Kirkpatrick:
Thank you for your prompt reply. I appreciate your looking into this considering complaints have now been filed with the BC SPCA about the pending move for Tina and the public is very concerned about the outcome.
From a purely business point of view, it seems to defy logic that an institution would risk such a public relations disaster when a wonderful, FREE OF CHARGE, move and sanctuary was offered for Tina . . . unless there was a (hidden) benefit for the zoo's owners to transfer her to Ontario. They have infuriated the public with their obvious lack of real concern for her long-term welfare and have raised the ire of animal welfare experts in Canada and the U.S. The zoo has stated that there is no money changing hands with the facility in Ontario but, if that is true, why not then send her to the sanctuary in Tennessee which is hands-down the more appropriate environment for her and which all the experts have highly recommended ? I hope the uncaring actions of the Vancouver Zoo will have negative consequences for them and that the other long-suffering animals will be transferred to appropriate retirement places. To trust this facility to be in charge of their care is unacceptable after this debacle.
I do appreciate your time and attention and sincerely hope that the Mayor and Councillors of Langley Township will take a fresh look at the "business" of confining animals and making a profit from them. Your Council can lead the way to a new era of banning this kind of misery in your jurisdiction.
With regard,
(Mrs.) Lana Simon
At 05:04 PM 5/28/2003 -0700, you wrote:
Thanks for your note I will follow up .
Penny Kirkpatrick
Township Council
----- Original Message -----
From: Lana Simon
To: mayor&councillors@tol.bc.ca
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 9:51 AM
Subject: Greater Vancouver Zoo
TO: The Mayor and Councillors of Langley Township
The following story in today's edition of the Vancouver Sun newspaper (May 28th/03) confirms that the Greater Vancouver Zoo does NOT have Tina's best interests at heart. Please click on the link below for the full story in the Sun newspaper.
http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/story.asp?id=B5F945DA-E39E-4985-BF8E-D73F28F856B2
This is exactly the reason that this facility in your jurisdiction should be closed. By issuing a business licence for this facility to operate in the Township of Langley you are trusting (and expecting) the facility to act in the best interests of the animals. This decision by management to ship Tina to another facility in Ontario, against expert advice, should make you think twice. I shudder to think about the health and welfare of all the other animals at the zoo that are not in the spotlight like Tina.
An animal expert interviewed on tv news last night indicated that more and more zoos are shutting down because the general public does not agree with animals being confined in unnatural settings which is detrimental to both their physical and mental health. To allow this facility to continue to operate in your jurisdiction does not reflect well on the Township of Langley and I sincerely hope that your Council will look into this matter and revoke the zoo's business licence.
Lana Simon
c.c. By fax to Greater Vancouver Zoo - 604-857-9008