From a former employee of the Vancouver SPCA Clinic:

August 20/01

Dear Animal Advocates,

I remember hearing about Michael Weeks (CEO Vancouver Regional SPCA before Douglas Hooper) and other upstairs staff and how their salaries etc. were always hushed up. Dr. Dear and others were all too happy to get rid of me and my complaints. It seems that no matter what happens, that group manages to discredit the complainer. I can tell you about a little white kitten who came in scared to death. He was treated for ringworm and other kitten ailments and was just starting to lose that pinched look when the dayshift decided his time was up. We arrived for our night shift and no "Leroy". They wouldn't even give us the chance to take him home . If he had been a Persian cat or a small dog that would have been different. If I give some thought to those years I'm sure I can come up with more examples of the abuse animals suffered and the way donors have been hoodwinked. People still don't want to believe me when I tell them of the benefits vets and techs enjoy in comparison with private clinics.

I was at the SPCA clinic some 11 or 12 years ago and my opinion of the majority of the staff is not printable. My complaints to Dr. Dear were mainly about the isolation ward and the condition it and the animals were in. Dirty, unfed and unmedicated, resulting in numerous deaths. Vets and technicians left dogs and cats in cages undiagnosed and untreated. Animals were often left in dirty cages without bedding, proper food and water. Some things would change (after numerous complaints) but not for long, and as much as I came to dislike those who mistreated animals I came to dislike the staff at the SPCA more. Because they are union they seem to feel their jobs will always be safe. The executive and board members have always been overpaid in and have treated themselves extremely well on donated money in my opinion. I see Jamie Lawson on the news speaking on behalf of the BC SPCA. Apparently he got a raise and a promotion over the Hooper scandal. Also I am told they are busy spending large amounts of money remodeling their offices. Keep the good work up.

Marlene Rosner