----- Original Message -----
From: The Council (CLAW)
To: cdaniell@spca.bc.ca ; mltroman@ntouch.com ; p_mackillop@telus.net ; rennebergv@cnc.bc.ca ; vanessa.lycos@shaw.ca ; zred@telus.net ; carla_maruyama@hermanmiller.com ; charger@citytel.net ; tinaker@hotmail.com ; enlepage@shaw.ca ; g-peterson@shaw.ca ; tigerbowen@yahoo.com ; kared@telus.net ; thebad3@shaw.ca ; kimby_59@yahoo.ca ; phyllisgregg@telus.net ; mthorntn@pris.bc.ca
Cc: byaffe@png.canwest.com ; john.vandongen.mla@leg.bc.ca ; barbara.wright@gems5.gov.bc.ca ; cwright@nsnews.com ; editor@vancourier.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 10:21 AM
Subject: BC SPCA SUING CRITICS
CEO Craig Daniell,
BC SPCA
cc: the BC SPCA President and Board of Directors
Not having read the Animal Advocates web site this year (which we will do this week) , we can still offer constructive and objective criticism about such a foolhardy decision to file a writ against AAS, and we request in the strongest possible terms that you reconsider, and cancel the writ immediately.
First, your action is another symptomatic step in a long history of bad judgement, bad advice, bad public relations by the BC SPCA. It is pure folly to continue operating the SPCA in such a self-destructive way. Whoever made the decision to sue is of the same ilk as the person who is directly accountable for all the misfortune befalling the SPCA in recent years.
Second, your arrogance and aloofness toward our group, failing to respond to repeated requests, even after meeting and agreeing to further openness and discussion on pressing and important "animal causes", is symptomatic, just plain rude, and lacking business acumen. The BC SPCA will listen to no one, even though most other individuals/groups are far more informed than BC SPCA personnel in matters of animal welfare. It seems almost weekly that Municipal Councils are considering and/or cancelling/not renewing BC SPCA contracts and so forth.
Third, while the public has clearly demanded more transparency, proper business acumen and a kinder to approach to animals, we again hear many stories where the BC SPCA takes a position contrary to others, strangely feeling "it is the only one that is right", which is pure folly. So, filing this writ to sue Animal Advocate Society in another vain attempt to silence detractors flies in the face of public expectations, and will cause more needless expenditures by the BC SPCA. Clearly the BC SPCA has squandered vast sums of monies on ill-advised salaries, court awards for wrongful dismissal and so forth, and now on another law suit that further wastes valuable funds, we suspect to satisfy some egos.
Fourth, if the BC SPCA actually feels that the Animal Advocate Society web site is a catalyst toward diminished funding and revenues, damaged reputation and other alleged harm, you are clearly more ignorant and self-obsessed than we imagined. For example, we have not even read the web site in over a year, but clearly, just from our dealings and media accounts, you are without doubt your own worst enemy and the recipient of extremely bad advice and bad judgement. By the way, even though we have offered constructive opinion and/or criticism and we are ardent supporters of the SPCA movement per se, "it is an individual that will make things happen - or not" as we have remarked numerous times. Without doubt the BC SPCA is on a misguided path, which frankly, Craig, you must get off. You must start to deal effectively with a more informed 21st century type of compassion and approach in dealing with animals under your stewardship and protection. Equally so you must recognize and work effectively with counterparts in the vast public and/or animal group society that exists solely to improve animal's lives and for the respect and dignity of all species.
Fifth, the BC SPCA must, at all costs, develop a more informed and progressive approach, operate in a more transparent fashion, involve people and the community, the many animal groups of all stripes, and stop proceeding in isolation and ignorance, with far too much arrogance and self-aggrandizement. We all do care very much about animals, every bit as much as the SPCA, maybe even more in fact. Repugnant killing practices and trying to justify them is a losing cause. By putting forth the same redundant rhetoric through your "spokesperson" (whom could seemingly use some introspection), you will continue as a "lightning rod for criticism", which is quickly undoing all the otherwise good things the SPCA does. But the Board of Directors does not seem capable of recognizing this.
Sixth, while we seemingly differ on how the BC SPCA ought to function, we still feel a more "Advocacy predominant role" to improve Legislation is crucial; more public and school education is mandatory; more Provincial funding is needed; a more focused and role as co-ordinator of public ventures. Working with many animal groups is a crucial component you should be fostering in a diligent fashion, not continuing down a road fraught with failure, criticism and diminished stature (and thus funding). Simply, it matters not what the Animal Advocate Society web site may say, as it is solely your actions, your reputation, your approach, your dealings with Municipalities, your results etc, that are putting the BC SPCA on a collision path with failure. Indeed, most everyone we have encountered since our inception in 1995, has at one time or another been associated in some manner with the BC SPCA, as donor, member, volunteer, etc. They are now trying desperately through many other groups to fill the void created by BC SPCA ineptness and indifference.
The SPCA has not encouraged Municipal Councils to adopt needed Bylaws, and this has encouraged, by default, the terrible killing of healthy adoptable animals, and excessive populations of animals.
By the BCSPCA resorting to the suing one of the most respected/dedicated/effective animal groups, certain caring individuals who have acted out of demands by their conscience to do what is right for animals it appears that the SPCA just does not "get it".
That is our feelings on your ill-advised writ and we strongly caution you against proceeding. Rather, think more before taking some of the actions you have taken that have damaged the SPCA's reputation far more than one small organization can, and you may start to rebuild your reputation accordingly as a conciliatory leader. Yours truly,
George
George F. Evens
Managing Director
The Council Animal Advocacy (CLAW)