"This, in my opinion, leaves us with the BC SPCA joining forces with a pet store to provide both the pet store and itself with (we expect) mainly young adoptable product while doing absolutely nothing to stop the death of less adoptable animals. There is no way I can call this ANIMAL WELFARE."

Thank you so much for stating so succinctly the reality which we must face. The only words I would change in your summary are "a" and "the" when they occur before "pet store" because I believe you have only scratched the surface of the marketing\business component of the Pet Industry that the BC SPCA, by its actions appears, to engage in, which brings about the exploitation of helpless animals to serve human needs. Until people grasp the horror of this deceptive activity, popular thinking or not, they are not looking at the complete picture. There are times when the truth is far too painful to even think about much less accept. I know that I would not have been ready even a few years ago to read your conclusion without tucking it away in the furthermost corner of my mind. Denial would have been my protection from information I was not ready to process and confront.

A half decade ago, the SPCA and all associated with it were my childhood heroes. They remained in such high esteem for many, many years, high on their pedestal, right where I had placed them. It is hard intellectual and emotional work to change such a long standing, unshakeable belief that animals needing protection are being well looked after, living the "happily ever after" life that my mind envisioned.

That was then and this is now. I was enlightened for myself, while volunteering and fostering for my local SPCA, before I found AAS. Once again, I thank you for putting this truth into words. Your words will not be tucked away as they once would have been. They will be kept in full view to help me remain focussed on the well buried real issue. You have given me a "lightbulb" moment. I sincerely hope that you will continue to enlighten others.