I went to the Burnaby SPCA January 2002. I met many wonderful volunteers who were dedicated to making the lives of the animals better there. I met a lovely german shepherd who I loved to take on walks. I took him out twice in a few weeks and when I went back one week to walk him, I later learned he had been killed by the SPCA. He had been adopted by a woman and the dog had had a bout with diarrhea. She was also told this german shepherd was older than the SPCA had stated by the veterinarian examining him. I believe the SPCA said the dog was about 8 years old and the veterinarian doing the check on the dog told this woman the dog was probably about 10 years old.
When she returned the dog, the dog was killed.

The dog was old with a bit of diarrhea...probably due to a change in diet, or due to nervousness as shelters are stressful for dogs. And for this crime, the dog paid with his life.

I was heartbroken and I think I went in a few more times and then just could not go back. I could not watch an animal welfare organization kill dogs. When I walked this dog, he had lots of energy and was otherwise healthy. I realize the SPCA deals with so many dogs, and that the old ones are hard to adopt out, but why accept these dogs in the first place if they are just going to be killed? Why keep him in an extremely stressful environment and then decide to kill him? Why not start a campaign to teach the public about how wonderful it is to adopt these older dogs? My 10 year old shepherd I have now is an absolute joy.

How is the SPCA an animal welfare organization when dogs are killed so easily?