Did anyone see the BC TV news this evening? They did an item about 50 kittens brought to the Vancouver SPCA from the Port Alberni SPCA (hopefully I got that right)! It was a very happy go lucky little news clip showing happy little kittens playing and sleeping.... Well it made me mad as anything I am so sick of the media making animal homelessness seem so darned cute. I wonder how on earth the mother cat and her eight 5 week old kittens living in my bathroom are going to find a home?? (I am their foster mom)
Here is a copy of the letter I wrote to the BC TV news:

I think it is really wonderful that you did a news item on the unwanted Cats at the SPCA! It was good to see that animal issues are beginning to make the news. It is truly sad though, that your item didn’t come Close to showing just how many unwanted animals there are in British Columbia. Your news item although cute, cuddly and sweet did not show all of the unwanted animals that have been living in the shelters all over the lower mainland and throughout BC for months even years. Not to mention all of the cats and dogs that currently live in SPCA foster homes and the hundreds of Cats and Dogs that are being fostered by the many rescue organizations throughout BC. My wish is to see a real news item on the overpopulation problem and the irresponsibility of the people who these poor creatures rely on for their well being. Thousands of animals are killed every year because there simply are no homes for them. Alley ways and vacant lots are overcrowded with feral colonies where disease and starvation runs rampant. We need to stop puppy mills, we need more control over pet stores, we need strict spay and neuter laws, we need more severe penalties in place for animal abusers. Only then will we hopefully put an end to the suffering of thousands of helpless animals. I urge you to contact some of the rescue groups here in the lower mainland like http://www.animaladvocates.com/ or http://www.fota.ca/ also http://www.brindleweb.com/rescue/ these web sites are full of information on these issues.
Sincerely,
Michele Kleine-Deters