BC SPCA NOT FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS OF COMMUNITY CONSULTATION REPORT

The Royal City Humane Society (RCHS) has been following, with
dismay, the BC SPCA’s recent announcements regarding shelter
closures in Langley and Chilliwack. RCHS took part in the BC SPCA
community consultation process that resulted in a summary report
and recommendations issued by Marguerite Vogel in November 2001.

Articles about the shelter closures have cited Vogel’s report as
support for the decision. Ms. Vogel’s report states that
“operation of the BC SPCA’s animals shelters is a hot topic, with
the public expecting much higher standards and more services” and
“changes are needed to ensure that BC SPCA shelters are seen to be
at the forefront of how to humanely house and treat animals.” It
does not say that the public wants the BC SPCA to get out of the
shelter business.

However, the strategic plan paid for by the BC SPCA says that they
“should not be a dumping ground for animals whose caregivers have
abdicated their responsibilities” and they should be “encouraging
community responsibility for animal welfare and to break…community
dependency on the BC SPCA and similar organizations.” Most, if
not all, members of the public believe that taking care of animals
is what the SPCA was created to do. In BC, there are no
organizations similar to the BC SPCA in terms of wealth (financial
and physical) and legitimacy (respected by both government and the
public).

The community consultation report makes recommendations based on
level of need; with criteria ranging from urgent – within 3 to 6
months to long-term – beyond 1 year. According to the report, it
is urgent that the BC SPCA “commit resources to upgrading older,
sub-standard facilities” and in the long-term, they should
“re-visit (the) plan to build a state-of-the-art shelter in the
lower mainland”.

Instead of following those recommendations, the BC SPCA is closing
shelters in 2 communities without having proper housing available
for the animals that are being moved. They have not upgraded
existing shelters. They are just beginning to look at the details
of expansion and staffing needs in Abbotsford and yet, they’ve
already announced the dates for closure of 2 shelters.

They have plans to increase adoptions through satellite adoption
centres and pet stores and increase the numbers of animals that
they can care for through fostering and increased community and
volunteer involvement. They have not addressed the problem of
abandoned pets. Some people will not go to Abbotsford from their
homes in Langley, Chilliwack and elsewhere to surrender their
pets. How will the BC SPCA provide for those animals?

In addition, the BC SPCA has purchased land in Nanaimo to build a
new shelter. They are relying on the community to raise the funds
necessary for the new facility. Did they ask the residents if
this was feasible? If they do raise the funds, will the community
of Nanaimo have any control over the shelter or will they be
subject to the same lack of consideration as the Chilliwack
community. If the funds are not raised, does that mean that the
land will remain idle? Does Abbotsford also have to raise funds
for their new shelter? Do Langley and Chilliwack also contribute
since the new shelter is replacing theirs?

RCHS is asking the BC SPCA to give information to their
stakeholders, the public. They have to explain why the
recommendations of the community consultation are not being
implemented, and they need to be held accountable for their
decisions to build new, state-of-the-art shelters while animals
already in their care are languishing in substandard housing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CALL:
ROYAL CITY HUMANE SOCIETY (RCHS)
604-524-6447