BC SPCA
Administration Center
1245 East 7th Avenue
VST 1R1

May 4, 2005

Dear (name of Surrey resident)

Please add your voice to secure the long-term future of the SPCA in Surrey.

Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your on-going support of the BC SPCA, without which it would not be possible to provide the many services we do in Surrey each year.

I write to you today, though, to ask for your support, but a different kind.

On December 31, 2005, the current animal control contract between the City of Surrey and the BC SPCA will end. Your support for the work of the SPCA, in the form of a letter to the Mayor and Council, will play a large part in ensuring that the BC SPCA is able to conclude a new long-term animal control contract with the City of Surrey and thereby maintain our physical presence in Surrey for many years to come.

As you may be aware, the Surrey animal shelter is the second busiest shelter in the entire province, providing care form more that 4,000 animals each year. The BC SPCA has provided animal control services to the City of Surrey and its residents since March 1, 1980. During this time the quality of care to the animals and service to the public has been exemplary and continues to this day. We offer a multitude of services, including:

- Investigation of all animal cruelty complaints.
- After-hours response to injured and abused animals.
- Spay/neuter programs that result in the reduction of pet overpopulation in the community.
- Transfer of surplus animals to other shelters thereby avoiding the euthanasia of animals for reasons only of space.
- Hosting of summer camps for youth in our community.
- The continued operation of the Animal Learning Center at the animal shelter.
- Humane education programs and initiatives that encourage the compassionate treatment of all animals and
- The demonstrated experience of the staff and volunteers who ensure that every animal entering the animal shelter is provided with the care and treatment necessary to promote excellent animal welfare.

Unfortunately these services were not always provided. Before the SPCA assumed responsibility for animal control services, there were numerous allegations of problems at the Surrey pound, including inadequate animal care, lack of spay/neuter services, animals being removed form properties without proper legal justification, lack of investigation of dog bite cases, improper euthanization and lack of cleanliness in the facility.

Despite our indications to the City of Surrey that the Society is willing to continue to provide these services well into the future, the City has to date not indicated how it wishes these services to be provided in the future. If the City does not conclude a new contract with the BC SPCA, we will be forced to vacate the animal shelter on 152nd street, which is owned by the City. While such a situation will be extremely disappointing for the Society, it will more importantly raise the questions s to whether comparable levels of service can be provided by a third party or the City itself.

Please send a letter to Mayor McCallum and members of Council expressing your strong support for the work of the BC SPCA in Surrey and your wish to see the SPCA continue to provide animal control services for the residents and animals of Surrey for many years to come. Let the Mayor and Council know how important it is to keep the SPCA in your community.

To assist you in this regard, we have included a form letter, which you should feel free to use. Alternately, you can send the letter electronically at www.spca.bc.ca/support

The BC SPCA is committed to a long-term future in Surrey. Our hope is to build a new animal center in the community within the next few years. To do so, however, it is essential that we maintain our current presence. Your support for this initiative will help secure this future.

Sincerely,

Craig Daniell
Chief Executive Officer
BC SPCA

Ps. If you have sent a letter to the Mayor and Council, please let us know by copying us

on the letter or send me a copy by email at cdaniell@spca.ca

pps. Please also consider joining us at an open house at the Surrey shelter on May 15,

2005 from 11 am to 3 pm in support of Be kind to animals month. The address of

the shelter is 6706-152nd Street in Surrey.

Mayor Doug McCallum & Members of Council
City of Surrey
14245-56th Avenue
Surrey, BC
V3X 3A2

Dear Mayor McCallum and Members of Council:

Renewal of BC SPCA Animal Control Contract

I am writing to express my strong support for the work of the BC SPCA in Surrey and to request that the City of Surrey urgently negotiate a long-term animal contract with the BC SPCA.

Since assuming responsibility for animal control in the City in 1980, the SPCA has provided an invaluable service to the animals and residents of Surrey. Now, more than ever, it is essential for Council to ensure the partnership with the SPCA is continued and expanded.

The SPCA provides many services to animals that would simply not be available if other animal organizations of the City itself assumed responsibility for animal services. These services include:

- Investigation of all animal cruelty complaints.
- After-hours response to injured and abused animals.
- Spay/neuter programs that result in the reduction of pet overpopulation in the community.
- Transfer of surplus animals to other shelters thereby avoiding the euthanasia of animals for reasons only of space.
- Hosting of summer camps for youth in our community.
- The continued operation of the Animal Learning Center at the animal shelter.
- Humane education programs and initiatives that encourage the compassionate treatment of all animals and
- The demonstrated experience of the staff and volunteers who ensure that every animal entering the animal shelter is provided with the care and treatment necessary to promote excellent animal welfare.

Council has a wonderful opportunity to ensure that the BC SPCA remains a vibrant part of our growing community. I urge you to act quickly in this regard.

Sincerely,

Supporter/donor