A dedicated dog rescuer, well-known to the SPCA for her good work, was present at the Surrey SPCA when Simba, a senior Golden Retriever, was surrendered. His owner said that now that he was old and it was winter, he wanted to come into the house all the time, and they didn't want him in the house. That was November 27th

November 28th she went back to the Surrey SPCA and offered to keep an old boy out of a friendless cell by getting him into the dog-friendly, home-based rescue network (and seeing to all his medical needs). She was turned down. The SPCA preferred to keep its own product in its own store, and Golden Retrievers, even old ones (if they do not have too many medical issues) are usually fairly quick sellers. So Simba stayed in his cell.

This rescuer could not forget that old dog, heartlessly sent from the isolation of a yard, to the isolation of a cell, and she continued to make enquiries about Simba.

On December 2nd, the Surrey SPCA told the rescuer that Simba had been transferred to the Vancouver SPCA the day before. What possible reason could there be for moving an old boy from one strange, frightening, friendless cell and warders, to another friendless cell and warders, except to maximize his sales possibilities?

Seven days in a prison cell when he could have been in a loving home...but on display for the purchasing public which shops for pets at the SPCA.

On December 3rd, the rescuer phoned the Vancouver SPCA and was told, first that he was still there, then moments late that he wasn't - that someone had bought him.

If the SPCA did adoptions, as do real animal welfarists, with serious screening and home checks and a staff that are trained to assist in the settling in problems and with behaviour, and if the SPCA's facilities were welcoming and dog-friendly and disease-free, then the SPCA would have a right to rehome its own dogs and cats. But the Surrey and Vancouver SPCAs are Alcatrazes for animals (as are all SPCAs for dogs and are most for cats). They are inhumane and cause animals to be in severe psychological and, often physical, distress. Surrey is renown for the disease it chronically harbours. Dogs and cats made sick by the SPCA are killed by the SPCA. The SPCA sells dogs to people who will keep them isolated outside. Some SPCA branches even recommend it. None of that can be called by the laudable word "adoption". It is sellling.

Until all of that changes, there is no justification for turning down a safe place for any dog or cat, except the justification of profit. Simba was sellable without much financial outlay by the SPCA. That is why he was kept in a cell by the SPCA.

So even now, we do not know if Simba is back in a yard again.