TO: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BCSPCA

The purpose of this letter is to let you know that many, many individuals are closely following the actions of the BC SPCA and want policy changes that are long overdue.

While the rest of the world has experienced and acknowledged profound changes in social structure, business practices, environmental issues and humanitarian rights, to name a few, the BC SPCA organization has steadfastly remained in a "status quo" mode for the last 50 years. Only public pressure has forced this organization to start an examination of its outdated policies - and the pressure will continue until the BC SPCA fulfills its (legislated) mandate to "prevent cruelty to animals".

To the educated observer, it appears that the BC SPCA is lacking in creative ideas, innovative, intelligent solutions, progressive leadership, even common business sense but most of all, compassionate animal welfare, the very basis of its appointed mandate.

Issues to be addressed are many and varied but immediate attention must be focused on the most critical areas:

1. Breeding of Dogs/Cats/Rabbits - unethical, unscrupulous breeding is rampant with no province-wide legislation governing any aspect of standards for animal health care, sanitation requirements, adoption guidelines, premises inspection, enforcement and/or fines. To delay any legislation of these most basic regulations is to automatically tarnish any reform the SPCA tries to accomplish. If the animals are being churned out by the millions, the flow of unwanted animals into the pounds will continue and will make implementing innovative programs ineffective because of the continuous, massive numbers. The appalling conditions of the puppy and kitten mills and backyard breeders will persist, and no SPCA management official will be able to claim legitimate reform without this issue being dealt with.

2. Chained and/or Neglected Dogs - as this issued gained more and more attention, the public indicated it wanted the official body in charge of animal welfare to substantially upgrade standards. Instead of providing leadership by publicly defining "neglect" in the Provincial Cruelty Act in both physical and mental terms (which would be true welfare), and then vigorously striving to uphold those standards, the BC SPCA steadfastly claimed they didn't have the legal power to intervene, in most circumstances, if the bare minimum of food, water and an overhang existed. But the SPCA never seemed to be presenting the government with suggestions for amending existing legislation to remedy this situation. If the SPCA is to truly embrace reform then the issue of chained and neglected dogs must be addressed in a very visible and decisive manner. If the legislation is not tough enough, then fix it ! Otherwise, enforce it !

3. Dog Pound Contracts - Either the business is animal welfare or animal control. Since the name SPCA stands for "Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" then the SPCA should divest itself of pound contracts.

4. Pet Store Sales - since animal care in the Province of British Columbia has been under the auspices of the SPCA, why have there been no permits, regulations, licensing conditions, inspections or provincial health standards for all the animals sold in pet stores ? Animals are sold indiscriminately, without regard for their future welfare, with no accountability to any official animal agency. The SPCA needs to prohibit animal sales immediately to sincerely establish that animal welfare is their agenda.

5. SPCA Accountability - one of the biggest criticisms has been the air of secrecy in all areas of the SPCA operation. Executive salaries, amount of donations received from the public, amount of money spent at each shelter and on what, euthanasia figures, fate of animals transferred between shelters, etc. Since the public donates the money, it should be entitled to see an open set of books. Any agency that is conducting itself with integrity and transparency will be welcomed and wholeheartedly supported by the public.

I believe that the BCSPCA should be pushing strenuously ahead with reforms in all areas. They should also be incorporating a spirit of willingness to co-operate with the private rescue groups who have shown such uncompromising dedication in their pursuit of true animal welfare.

Lana Simon
North Vancouver

copy to: The Animal Advocates Society

Attn. Judy Stone