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SPCA losing contracts, while fighting bad press
Kent Spencer
The Province
August 9, 2004
Sasha, a German shepherd cross with a jittery temperament, is a perfect example of why city-owned dog pounds are better than the charity-funded SPCA, say animal-rights advocates.
Sasha found a home recently after two years of munching chow at Coquitlam's city pound.
Animal-shelter manager Cal Martin says Coquitlam could afford to take the time to find Sasha a home.
"The dog had a few issues of being nervous around men. It made it difficult finding a home," says Martin, who runs the city's new shelter at 500 Mariner Way. "Sasha finally met a couple who kept him."
Animal-welfare advocates say Coquitlam's success shows why SPCA services are being reconsidered in three more municipalities: Surrey, Richmond and Delta.
The moves come during a troubling time for the SPCA, beloved caretaker of animals in B.C. for more than 100 years.
More and more Lower Mainland municipalities are moving away from controlling animals by way of SPCA pounds and bylaw enforcement.
Three cities have pulled out over the past three years: Coquitlam, North Vancouver District and Langley Township.
It began with a spate of bad publicity when one SPCA executive was discovered to be earning $204,000 a year.
The society laid off staff, cut costs and fired some executives. It has lost more than $10 million since 2000. Last year, the SPCA provided service for 60,000 homeless animals at 37 branches around B.C.
SPCA spokeswoman Lorie Chortyk says there is lasting "resonance" over the salary episode.
"We took our lumps because we should have. We have taken every step to rectify it," she says. "Our administration costs are 10 per cent, which is obscenely low for a charity. Salary ranges are now posted on the website."
Chortyk says the SPCA "would really like to continue working with Surrey."
Surrey staff say the SPCA has asked for a 35-per-cent raise in its contract, which is too much, even though service would be better.
In Delta, council members have asked staff for a report on a much-publicized "dog-napping" last month.
A 10-month-old Labrador-rottweiler cross named Cheech was whisked away from the SPCA, where it was to be killed.
Animal-rights supporters say Cheech is sweet and friendly; the SPCA maintains the dog is "a danger to the community."
In Richmond, the city is taking over the bylaw enforcement portion of its contract with the SPCA on Sept. 1.
"We already have enforcement staff which are able to cover a broader field than the SPCA is able to do," says Richmond spokesman Ted Townsend.
SPCA critics were quick to applaud Surrey's move.
"Surrey has an excellent idea," says animal-rights advocate Judy Stone. "People question why so many dogs are killed in Surrey."
Chortyk, however, says there is "no euthanasia for space reasons." She does not have figures for dogs killed in Surrey last year.
North Vancouver Coun. Ernie Crist says the district "believes it did the right thing."
"We had problems with the SPCA for a lengthy period of time. There was a public outcry when people found out that top management had fantastic salaries."
In Langley, Coun. Mel Kositsky says a group of people wanted to get more involved.
"Being a rural area, there are a lot of issues around dog control," says Kositsky. "The local group had a different approach on how to deal with animals."
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© The Vancouver Province 2004