Ms. Gourkow is not about to cooperatively "go away", nor will her behaviour as described in a previous post change to any notable degree;

" Ms. Gourkow treated the rescue groups and members of the public in an appalling manner. She was insulting, she belittled, she talked down to, she was sarcastic, she rolled her eyes, she snickered as she looked over at her fellow employees, all this while people were speaking to her. Not one person that spoke at the meeting was out of line, yet Ms. Gourkow spoke to the group as if we were wasting her time and beneath her. Her arrogance and ego were suffocating to everyone in the room."

Ms. Gourkow is a determined and strong willed woman who was scheduled to speak at the Let Live Conference until it was postponed with very little notice to those who had registered. She also spoke willingly and at length, with arrogance and authority, to a reporter during a TV interview regarding the assessment of the pup "Cheech". Ms Gourkow is on the staff at University College of the Cariboo in Kamloops, as a contributor to the Animal Welfare Certificate Program. I considered registering for The Animal Welfare Certificate program which is offered online. But after looking through the details of the program and becoming aware of the involvement of Ms. Gourkow, I have decided to cross that option off my list of personal choices.

This woman has a great deal at stake should she cave in to the many expressions of feelings and thoughts expressed by the animal-loving public and real animal rescue groups. Someone who is attacked to this degree will often behave in a way which reflects "flight or fight". In this case, Ms. Gourkow has obviously elected to fight and by doing so has actually taken her offensive behaviour and attitude to a higher level. She is becoming desperate as options available for her future are suddenly disappearing before her eyes. The good news is that hers is most likely a temporary reaction. Ms. Gourkow can treat people poorly only as long as those people allow her to do so. The people who have no intention of accepting her behaviour are speaking out clearly, not remaining silent as do many "breed rescuers" who won't make waves so they can keep getting "their" dogs out of the SPCA.

Refusing to remain silent, refusing to keep the secrets which are hidden behind walls and closed doors and refusing to shamefully shrink in the face of being on the receiving end of the inappropriate bullying and belittling behaviour which is well described above, is the only action which will bring about any long term positive change and consequences. Those of us who want change to the BCSPCA must not stop by breaking the silence on only one occasion. We need to speak the truth following every occasion and situation we are aware of first hand, or as a result of information we receive from persons who are well known as "reliable sources".

I expect that persons who are in the public eye, such as Ms Gourkow, will conduct themselves in a principled, honest, open and respectful manner. No one, be they humans or animals, deserve or should be subjected to the behaviour which Ms. Gourkow demonstrated to her audience. The balance of power was clearly violated along with the personal and emotional boundaries of the listeners in the room.

I hope that more people who remained in the room, continuing to be victims of abuse, will post their experience and feelings on this Message Board. There really is strength in numbers. Please come forward,speak out and let your voice be counted.

UCC Animal Welfare Certificate Program