In its current approach to the enforcement of anti-cruelty statutes, is the BC SPCA meeting public expectations, its mandate and the needs of neglected and abused animals?

No, it is not. The SPCA should be taking the most proactive and aggressive interpretation of the act to do the most for the individuals it claims to advocate for. Lets not do only what is clearly in violation of current statutes, but take on cases that push the boundaries of the act. If the SPCA takes a conservative approach, how can it claim to deserve the name it has.

If civil rights leaders waited for everyone to agree to human rights for people of color, we would still have apartheid. We have some degree of basic human rights for everybody because organizations and individuals pushed for what was right and just and didn't simply accept the 'lowest common dominator'.

Is the PCA Act adequate to protect all animals - if not, what steps should be taken to address this?

No it is not adequate! The SPCA should get off their but and start being true advocates for the individuals they claim to serve. This is being done by many humane societies around the world. They are setting the standards, not just responding to them.

Are we interpreting the neglect provision of the act appropriately?

No, no, no, no, no.... you get the point! How would you like to have Amnesty International tell you that being in solitary confinement 24/7 is acceptable because you are not starved? Would you consider a derelict car 'adequate shelter'? Survival is not enough!

How should we define appropriate levels of care for an animal beyond minimal food, water, shelter and physical health?

Do you really need to ask this? That says something in itself. How about looking at the needs of yourself? Would you be happy locked in a garage for weeks on end? How would you like to be locked in a pen so small you can't run more than a few feet? Dogs are social animals just like us. Amnesty International considers consistent segregation or restraint to be torture. Yet to keep a social animal (like a dog) permanently constrained in movement and socially isolated) is 'acceptable' according to the SPCA?

Who should pay for enforcement of the Act?

Ideally the government should. Through social work, I know of the link between the abuse of non-human animals and children. They are similar in their vulnerability to adult humans and the abuse of companion animals often correlates with the abuse of children. Abuse is about power and it tends to cross lines of species, age or race.

A compassionate and caring society, with appropriate safeguards, will benefit all vulnerable individuals, human or not. A society that treats individuals according to their needs and looks at 'how can we help' as oppose to 'how little can we do' is a truly 'civilized' and compassionate society.

In summary, the BCSPCA has traditionally been an 'apologist' for the status quo. I would like to see the organization to become a leader (like many international organizations) in the movement towards a more humane and just society for all individuals, human or not.

Should all shelters/pounds in BC be legally required to spay/neuter animals before adoption?

Yes, especially in the case of purebreds (or other economically exploitable individuals) or require hefty deposits.

Should the BC SPCA advocate for mandatory spay/neuter by-laws for cats and dogs?

Yes, it has been done successfully elsewhere. It raises needed public awareness and even if there is not full compliance, it gives legislative powers to stop thoughtless breeding.

Should people be allowed to breed cats and dogs and sell them without being spayed and neutered?

Yes. But only to pre-approved homes where there has been a home visit, a guaranteed ‘take back for life’ clause in the adoption contract (in case the pet’s guardian dies or whatever) and where there is a hefty deposit on the new pet guardian to get the individual fixed.

What about pure bred animal breeders, how should they be monitored or regulated, if at all?

I have no problem with small volume, compassionate, family ‘breeders’ as long as they acknowledge the significance of the responsibility they are taking on by bringing a dependent and vulnerable individual into our world. They should be monitored extensively for the number of individuals they place up for adoption (too large of a number of individuals means guaranteed neglect or worse) and for the quality of screening of potential adopters they utilize.

What education approaches would encourage a higher rate of spaying/neutering?

A combination of ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ advertising to reach a variety of people. Some people respond to ‘cute and cuddly’, while others need to see dead animals to get the point. No amount of killing due simply to the lack of available homes is acceptable. To not actively address this killing and still claim to be an advocate for the individuals being killed is a major contradiction. Public education is essential if you want to claim to be a true advocate for the individuals you claim to serve.

Should all shelter animals be assessed for their suitability as good pets as a condition for adoption?

Yes they should be assessed. Not to screen out the ‘bad ones’ as there are few if any of these individuals but to more appropriately match the needs of the individual with potential adopters. ‘Suitability’ is not the issue, the issue is finding the right home for the each individual.

Should animals with behavioral problems be rehabilitated?

Yes. The more training that the organization can do with the people who have the privilege of adopting a shelter companion animal, the less chance of returns or future problems the new pet guardian will have. Most pet problems are people problems and the agency philosophy needs to reflect this.

What should the SPCA do with animals that show aggressive tendencies to people or other animals?

'that'? Why do you use language that objectifies the very individuals you are trying to support? Please use 'animals who'. This reflects a value of non-human animals not being 'mere things' and having more value than just a coffee table or whatever!

The SPCA should see these problems as 'people problems' that can be addressed by re-educating the individual concerned as to more effective ways to deal with the world they confront. As a social worker, I work with individuals who do not exhibit the desired interactions in dealing with their world and/or other humans. We don't kill them, we work with them to develop more effective ways to deal with their individual issues and needs.

Should the BC SPCA advocate for mandatory participation in dog training classes for all dog owners?

No, but it should be strongly encouraged and this encouragement should include monetary incentives to do this (i.e. cheap classes or rebates for those who do use this service). I live with an SPCA survivor and would be hard pressed to find a trainer who I would want to work with. I do acknowledge that most people are not in my situation and that most dog problems are people problems and therefore such services should be promoted, but not required.

education

Should humane education be part of the school curriculum?

What priority should education have in the SPCA's work?

What education materials should the BC SPCA be providing?

What programs would you like to see the SPCA focus on? And Why?

Chris Dakin