Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows News
Re: “New fostering programs aims at ending euthanasia”
Published, January 30th, 2002

Corrections Required

We are a group of volunteers and members of the "Animal Services Review
Committee" who would like to correct misinformation given in the article
New Fostering Programs Aims At Ending Euthanasia, regarding the number of animals euthanized at the Maple Ridge SPCA over the last several years. The number of animals put down at the shelter was enormously higher than what the public was led to believe.

Statistics published by the Regional SPCA dispute the numbers quoted. The
following contains documented SPCA statistics and additional information:

1. The facts as presented by the shelter Superintendent, Mr. Rick Favelle state, “In the past two years the Maple Ridge SPCA has only had to put down 4 of 1,850 dogs due to lack of space ”. In the documentation presented to the animal services review committee, and compiled by the Maple Ridge SPCA it is stated that, in the year 2000, 56 dogs were killed due to lack of space.

2. Mr. Favelle was also quoted, “it’s a much better average than five year ago, when the local animal shelter put down at least 10 dogs per year due to inadequate space”. Again, in documentation published and compiled by the Maple Ridge SPCA staff, it is noted that between 1994 and 2001, 440 dogs were killed due to lack of space, or an average of 55 dogs per year.

3. The article also continues to quote Mr. Favelle, and reported that, “there have been no cats at the Maple Ridge Shelter put down during 2001, and only 1 cat in 2000. Facts produced by staff at the shelter state, “during 2000, 106 cats were killed to make space.

4. It is agreed that finding foster homes and dog walkers is a priority for the volunteers at the Maple Ridge shelter and the few, dedicated foster families that are currently available are overburdened with their continuous efforts to save abused, neglected and abandoned animals. In addition to finding foster homes for animals in need, it is also recommended that a complete resource directory be available to staff and volunteers, who may at a glance, find a wealth of resources to assist with the placement of any animal that could be facing a death sentence. This resource directory may include:
a) Foster Home Listings
b) Boarding Kennels
c) Veterinarian Offices, who provide emergency boarding facilities
d) Specific bred rescue organizations
e) Animal welfare associations

5. The headline itself, “new fostering program aims at ending euthanasia”, is in conflict with the very policy passed by the SPCA in 2000. Mr. Richard Green, Field Operations Manager for the SPCA stated, “In 2000, the Vancouver Regional SPCA adopted a policy regarding the euthanasia of dogs for reasons of space. The policy states that no adoptable dog may be euthanized because of a lack of room. The protocol requires that the supervisor make contact with our animal transfer personnel or their volunteer coordinators in an attempt to find a suitable place for the dogs. Should they be unable to find space they are to inform a manager who will attempt to find space. In the event that the manager cannot find room then he is to contact the Director of Field Operations who will in turn try to find space. The Director would then approach the C.E.O. for direction. The policy was enacted in 2000 and since that time we have not euthanized a dog for the sole reason of space.”

This statement is in direct contradiction of Mr. Flavelle’s statement that only 4 dogs have been put down due to last of space in the past two years, when in SPCA documentation it is stated that in the year 2000, 56 dogs were killed due to lack of space.

Surely it should be incumbent upon the SPCA to ensure that they adhere to the policies they proclaim and to ensure that the public is not misled regarding the facts (particularly at this time when the society has been taken to task for its lack of accountability), and surely it should be incumbent upon the media to check facts before a story is printed.

We hope this letter has helped to clarify the very real need for additional foster homes, for accurate reporting and has pointed out that the SPCA is required to be accountable for accuracy in reporting and documenting the number of animals that have been euthanasied in the name of “lack of space”.

Signed by members of the Maple Ridge Animal Services Committee