I have a few minutes this morning, so here are my most recent thoughts on your posting.

I agree, thoughtful debate is good, but I promise you, if you truly want to discuss the issues you've brought up, you can email me in complete confidentiality. Private email is a different matter than a public discussion board, which I respect and treat as such.

I might be wrong, but I think you believe that the SPCA should continue to do pound contracting? For the revenue it generates, which allows for the housing of shelter animals? Is that the gist of it? I believe the SPCA has NO business in the pound world - none. Where does it state that notion in their motto? That is not what the SPCA was started up to do, and it is quite obviously NOT working. If it was working, there would be no problems, no complaints, everything would be running smoothly, which is not the case at all. If the shelters were adequate to comfortably house & care for all of the animals they come into, whether through surrenders, strays, whatever, then sure, no problem. But come on, we all want the SPCA to be called in to investigate the shelters run by the SPCA! Now that's sad. One of the only SPCA's that I've heard good things about so far, is the Nanaimo branch - sounds like they are working with rescue groups, as well as campaigning for foster homes for the kittens and cats with health problems. Do they do pound contracting?

You said - "The load of animals would merely shift to another group." Well that's going on right now! There's nothing new here. Change is needed and you can bet that every rescue group is anxiously waiting in the wings to work productively with the SPCA (as shown in the meetings held between the SPCA & rescue groups - waiting to see how that comes along). Shared resources never fail and only benefit everyone, animals and the people working for them.

Listen, if you want to discuss things, rest assured, you can email me without fear of disclosure.