April 3rd, 2005
To: Ms. Mary Lou Troman, President, BCSPCA
cc: Mr. Craig Daniell, CEO, BCSPCA
cc: Mayor and Councillors - City of North Vancouver
Dear Ms. Troman:
Citizens are concerned about the fate of rabbits at the SPCA
Ten days ago, Pacific Animal Foundation (PAF) received a call from a woman about two unfixed rabbits that had been abandoned by a rental tenant in her neighbourhood who had recently moved. The rabbits, (a male and a female), were running loose and living in the woodpile of a neighbouring yard despite dogs and traffic nearby. She asked if PAF would come and rescue the rabbits.
Because the woman lived in the City of North Vancouver which has a contract with the SPCA, I asked her if she had called the SPCA for help. She told me she was scared to call the SPCA because she didn't want the rabbits put down and was afraid the SPCA would do just that. Even though Pacific Animal Foundation's main focus is working with feral cats, we agreed to help her. The next day, two PAF volunteers located the rabbits running loose and, after a full hour of effort, captured both bunnies safely. PAF has paid the cost for both rabbits to be fixed and they are now in the care of a volunteer from Vancouver Rabbit Rescue & Advocacy. www.vrra.org . Because the two rabbits are obviously bonded, they will be adopted together.
It is a sad state of affairs when an ordinary citizen is afraid to call the SPCA on an animal related matter. Also, as a North Vancouver City taxpayer, a portion of her taxes go to pay the SPCA for just this type of assistance and she should have a right to feel confident about the care an animal receives. It is a small, volunteer organization that ended up helping her and paying the medical bills. PAF can supply the name and telephone number of the woman if the SPCA would like to confirm the above details.
Yes, there are far too many rabbits for adoption so, what should the SPCA do about it? An effort must be made to curb back yard breeders by enacting stringent health and breeding guidelines; ban the sale of rabbits in BC pet stores; fix all rabbits that enter the SPCA system prior to adoption; do appropriate screening of potential homes so that rabbit care and behaviour is totally understood; and introduce an education program to enlighten the public that rabbits are not "starter pets" and can be a 10 year commitment.
I look forward to a reply.
See photos: www.pacificanimal.org/adoption/resrab.htm
Sincerely,
Lana Simon, President
Pacific Animal Foundation
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The following letter was sent to the SPCA earlier today - Sunday, April 3, 2005, by Carmina Gooch of North Vancouver
----- Original Message -----
From: Carmina
To: board@spca.bc.ca
Sent: Sunday, April 03, 2005 10:05 AM
Subject: Surrey SPCA --Killing Rabbits for Space
April 3, 2005
To: Ms. Troman,
Please read and acknowledge my letter to Mr Daniell and distribute to all the members of the Board of Directors of the BC SPCA.
Re: Surrey SPCA --Killing Rabbits for Space
I have just had a telephone conversation with a staff member at the Surrey SPCA. I was told that if I was to bring in a couple of stray rabbits they would be held for six days, and after that the likelihood of them being killed was exceedingly high. There is space allocated for only a minimal number, there is virtually no call for rabbits after about six months of age, and yet people constantly turn in their unwanted pet rabbits. To accept and then kill them is not animal welfare.
Mr. Daniell, it has been no secret that multitudes of healthy rabbits have, and continue to be killed for lack of space. How can you say otherwise?
Feral colonies are increasing, Petcetera and other retailers have an endless supply, and despite growing demands from society that these issues be addressed, rabbits remain overlooked by your organization.
Now too, the Youth Program has undergone "restructuring", the previous staff (except one) has been let go, and most volunteers have left. The hours of operation at the centre has been reduced, and after the nine rabbits housed on site at the moment are no longer, there will probably be only "two demonstration animals."
Can you please tell me how you are committing to the welfare and advocacy of rabbits?
cc: Craig Daniell
Regards,
Carmina Gooch
North Vancouver