Mission accomplished!!! You are absolutely right when you say that not one of those 22 cats got sick. However, as quoted from the October 28th, 2004 edition of the Richmond News: BC SPCA CEO Craig Daniell states: "there is certainly no policy of euthanizing such animals (with upper respiratory infections and fungal infections)."

I see a loophole here which may make Mr. Daniell's statement completely and carefully truthful. I have stated before that language and the game of "Word Wizardry" can clear a conscience and allow a peaceful night of rest for those who have mastered the skill. In this instance the tricky word is "policy". Relative to a Society, policies are developed and compiled in printed form, much like the Mission Statement and Code of Ethics. Policies, in my experience, must be adhered to without exception and are useful "guides" for administrators and those in supervisory positions.

When Craig Daniell states that there is no policy in place specific to the issue of the killing of those particular 22 cats, I believe he could prove that is so - by showing what cannot be found on paper. Through the use of one word i.e. policy, incident by incident, wiggle room is created and the wide range of interpretation is available as an escape route when choices are challenged. The root of the issue for those who ordered or condoned the killing of the 22 cats is not about the illness or the cats. It is about arrogance, power and the willingness of people to inflict cruelty on and terrorize helpless victims. Whether the victims are people or animals is irrelevant - the brutality, control, intent and motivation are the same.