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Animal Advocates Watchdog

14. The complete lack of training of volunteers
In Response To: 1998 letter from Scott and Natasha Baker: Still relevant because not enough has changed ()

14) The complete lack of training of volunteers

Currently there is no form of adequate training for the volunteers with respect to the care of the animals, there are therefore no qualifications needed to care for the animals or work with the public, and no assurance that the advice that will be provided is of any value. Volunteers are scared, confused, and ultimately condemned because they simply do not know what to do.

This conflicts with the SPCA Code of Ethics” Points1), 2) and 4)

Solution: Provide a structure training program for volunteers that will enable them to do their job.

Symptoms: Misinformation of the public, mistreatment of the animals, frustration and confusion for the volunteers, frequent burnout, and frustration for the staff.

Messages In This Thread

1998 letter from Scott and Natasha Baker: Still relevant because not enough has changed
The Vancouver SPCA has completely failed in this regard by: 1. Not providing any form of useful public education
2. Presenting a bad example when dealing with shelter animals
3. Practicing unnecessary euthanasia
A more careful reading of our notes to conversations with Natasha
4. Not providing enough kennels despite the space to do so
5. Not providing young animals with sufficient stimuli
6. Inadequate screening of potential adoptees
7. Being too rigid with respect to enforcing adoption hours
8. Not showing or adopting sick animals
9. No adoption councillor for the dogs
10. The wanton separation of an animal from its personal belongings
11. Insufficient effort to promote the adoption of shelter animals
12. Not suggesting alternatives to the surrender of animals
13. Poor and sometimes cruel displays of animals
14. The complete lack of training of volunteers
15. The complete lack of benefits to the volunteers
16. The complete lack of and adequate job description for volunteers
17. Lack of any hierarchy or chain of command
18. Lack of respect and trust by the staff
19. General lack of manners
20. No attempt to show compassion
21. Lack of a adequate communications channels
22. Lack of follow-up on adoptions
23. Not allowing for the pick-up of a lost cat after visiting hours
24. Misuse of donated funds
25. Inadequate seclusion of “stray” animals
From my time volunteering at the Burnaby SPCA, I came to these conclusions as well
We welcome comment from the SPCA
From the Prince George Free Press
Natasha is just one of hundreds: Brigitta MacMillan also tried to make the SPCA change, with no luck *PIC*
So too did Christine W.
So did Laura Dean
Another letter from Laura Dean
What has changed since November 2001? If I find out that anymore animals have been euthanized, I will go to the media
The organization of as large a scale as the SPCA needs critics and scrutinizing

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