News and features from the B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

BC SPCA's New Approach to
Animal Management Now in Place

For Immediate Release - July 2, 2002: The BC SPCA has introduced its new Companion Animal Management Policy, a progressive, scientifically-based animal welfare policy to guide decisions about the appropriate care of shelter animals across the province. The policy replaces and builds on the euthanasia moratorium that was announced in March, 2002 by the BC SPCA.

"The moratorium was put into place while SPCA shelter staff received training in a uniform, scientific assessment tool to determine the physical and behavioural health of incoming companion animals," explains Dr. Jamie Lawson, Chief Animal Health Officer for the BC SPCA. "As a humane organization we want to use the best tools at our disposal to assess the physical and emotional well being of animals in our care and make sound decisions around their welfare. We now have trained certified assessors across the province using a reliable management system to ensure this happens."

According to Lawson incoming animals are receiving better and more consistent levels of care and consideration as well as better access to resources under this new system. Under the policy SPCA staff are required to:

Determine if an animal is sick or injured and consult with a veterinarian to obtain diagnosis and prognosis.
Assess the behavioural health of dogs using the accepted assessment tool.
Assess the emotional health of cats and on a daily basis using standardized forms.
Place all cats in enriched cages or communal rooms to reduce stress, anxiety and fear and promote natural behaviour.
Make a decision as to the treatment required for each animal (adoption, rehabilitation, medical care, transfer, enrichment or euthanasia).
Access all available resources in cases of animals that have treatable illness, require behavioural rehabilitation, or to alleviate crowding, such as fostering networks, satellite adoption centers, local trainers, rescue groups endorsed by the Society and transportation of healthy animals to other shelters.
"Our goal is to ensure there are no more homeless pets in BC," says Lawson. "In addition to improved tools and systems we are also reaching out to the community to lend their support. The response has been incredible with hundreds of volunteers stepping forward to foster animals and rescue groups willing to work in partnership to re-home more animals."

While the SPCA aims for maximum adoption, there are still cases when euthanasia is the best decision for an animal and for public safety. Some companion animals may suffer from non-treatable aggression or behavioural problems that prevent them from having healthy relationships with people and other companion animals. In such cases the BC SPCA supports the use of euthanasia to prevent a life of poor welfare.

"The bottom line is we are now much better equipped to make decisions about the fate and care of shelter animals, says Lawson. He adds that the SPCA still needs on-going support from the public to help animals in need. "Our shelters are very full and we urgently need community members to come forward to help us provide the animals with temporary foster care and permanent homes."

Further information:
Dr. Jamie Lawson, Chief Animal Health Officer, BC SPCA
(604) 709-4654, (604) 329-5238, or
Lorie Chortyk, Community Relations Manager, BC SPCA
(604) 647-1316, 1-800-665-1868