To Whom It May Concern,

It has come to my attention, that the Manager of the Salmon Arm SPCA is both a dog breeder and she allows the surgical mutilation of her puppies. While this conflict of interest is obvious to myself and other SPCA onlookers, it does not appear to be of concern to the BCSPCA, who hired her despite these faults. It is simply unacceptable to have this person doing this job, for an organization that is supposed to educate the public about the importance of spaying/neutering and the animal overpopulation in this province. What I find equally disgusting, is that this Manager has recently advertised a number of her dogs together, offering them at a reduced package price, to "clear her inventory". Clearly, she has no intention of adopting them to loving homes and going through the appropriate screening process, or she would not be advertising to sell them in such a manner that only puppy mills, backyard breeders or pet stores will respond. Furthermore, the fact that she allows the surgical mutilation (ear cropping and tail docking) of her puppies, is in direct conflict with the SPCA's own written Policy #19, which is clearly against any such practices.

The BCSPCA has publicly stated that it is in the process of reforming their organization to better serve the animals it was designed to protect, and I would like to suggest that the SPCA start by clearing its own inventory of people like this Salmon Arm Manager, and of the other SPCA staff in this province who also breed animals. The BCSPCA cannot win back the public's trust nor their respect, when it's own employees are doing the very things this organization is against. As well, I feel confident that those Municipalities who have chosen to remain in a pound contracting relationship with the BCSPCA, would be outraged if they knew that their money was being spent in such a thoughtless and reckless manner.

I trust that the appropriate action will be taken immediately to remedy this situation, in keeping with the "New Eyes, New Directions" philosophy that the BCSPCA has embraced. If not, then it would be a valid reason for the public to question the integrity of this entire reform process.

Sincerely,