Letter to Editor:

Pet peeve

Dear Editor,

On behalf of the B.C. SPCA, I would like clarify some inaccuracies made about our organization by Carol Reichert of Richmond Homeless Cats (News, Oct. 16).

Firstly, for Reichert to suggest "never is the life of an animal a priority" at the SPCA is outrageous, offensive and does a serious disservice to the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to save animals every day at the Richmond SPCA.

In 2003, the B.C. SPCA Richmond shelter handled more than 1,600 animals.

Of this number, eight dogs and 18 cats were euthanized for a medical condition that seriously affected their welfare and 28 dogs and 16 cats were euthanized due to an aggressive behavioral problem.

The shelter does not euthanize healthy, adoptable animals or because of lack of space, which is, in effect, the definition of a no-kill shelter.

In her letter to Richmond council, Reichert alleges the B.C. SPCA kills animals "when they have treatable, minor ailments like colds."

This is not correct.

Firstly, animals do not get colds. They do get upper respiratory infections and fungal infections, but there is certainly no policy of euthanizing such animals. Ms. Reichert also discusses an ill dog who was hospitalized and "as is their policy _ slated for euthanasia." The B.C. SPCA has no such policy.

Ms. Reichert then states "the B.C. SPCA has a long-standing policy of destroying feral cats in their custody."

Again, there is no such policy.

For the past three years we have worked with Richmond Homeless Cats to place feral and difficult to adopt cats with their organization. In February of 2004 the B.C. SPCA sent a letter out to all rescue groups, requesting they complete an application form to maintain their status on our approved rescue list. Despite several attempts to contact them, Richmond Homeless Cats has not replied to be on our list of rescue group partners.

The B.C. SPCA has a solid 109-year history of "speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves." We are diligent and responsible in our decision-making process to ensure that we provide as much help and rehabilitation possible to each animal so that we are able to place, healthy, well-adjusted animals in the community.

As an organization we must also take responsibility to ensure community safety by identifying offensively aggressive and dangerous animals, which pose a serious safety threat to other animals and people. The B.C. SPCA is a charity which brings many tangible and intangible benefits to the City of Richmond, including extensive humane education programming, the ability to draw on animal welfare expertise from B.C. and abroad, and our internationally recognized animal welfare assessment and rehabilitation programs.

Craig Daniell, CEO, B.C. SPCA

posted on 10/27/2004

http://www.richmond-news.com/issues04/104204/opinion/104204le1.html

October 27, 2004

Messages In This Thread

Richmond News: Richmond Homeless Cats may get cat control contract: BC SPCA Craig Daniell "flabbergasted".
Nailed! For 20 years of cheap animal disposal.
An Opportunity for the BC SPCA?