I was disgusted with what I read here! I, too, am a long time SPCA volunteer here in Salmon Arm. I however have a much different view. I am saddened that this is the situation at your (unnamed) shelter, but I wish you wouldn't make ours look bad too! At the Salmon Arm shelter, there are volunteers to ensure water and food are ALWAYS in supply. EVERY SINGLE ANIMAL is neutered or spayed before leaving the shelter, ensuring no future litters arrival at the shelter. No animal is EVER put down (killed, as you say) unless absolutely neccesary (i.e. the animal has advanced cancer). We care for injured animals, like a dog who was hit by a car and had to have the leg removed - we nursed him back to health and succesfully adopted him to a loving family. There are very senior animals loved here too, not destroyed because of thier age. We have taken in chinchillas and other small animals, and we have taken animals in when we really had no room - staff housed them in their offices if necessary and loved and cared for them. I have fostered animals from birth up, and it has been a joy to do so. Every animal I have has come from a shelter, and I think the SPCA is getting a bad rap from a few isolated cases. SHAME ON YOU! I will willingly donate any money and supplies I can to our shelter, and I hope others continue to do so too. We keep our animals in clean cages with elevated bedding to keep dogs off the cement - they have chew toys and treats - they are played with one-on-one and volunteers walk them each and every day. They get outside free time and chances to socialize with other animals too. We have a cat room where adults socialize - they have climbing trees, elevated prowling areas, scratching posts, outdoor space to lie in the sun, cuddlies and toys. We GIVE food to people who cannot afford it, and help others spay and neuter their animals. We do seize animals, in dire situations such as pupppy mills with dogs infested with fleas and lice and so matted you cannot see tell one end from another. We RESCUE them!!! Don't paint us all with the same stick!!!