To the Editor,
Re: Let SPCA build its own shelter, Editorial, June 26.
Whilst “cute little puppy dogs” and “four-legged friends” are a big part of what we do, it ignores the extensive social programs we offer to residents of Nanaimo. These include emergency sheltering of pets for victims of domestic abuse, home disasters, medical crises, disaster management, volunteer opportunities for recovering addicts, also for those with developmental delays, youth and the elderly, and extensive humane education programs including school visits, summer camps and workshops. Our cruelty investigations often reveal abusers in the community who are found to be not only abusing pets, but other people, or are at a risk of escalating their violence.
The great majority of people who need to access our social assistance programs are not donors,yet our donors still take care of them, because to support your local SPCA means you are supporting not just animals in your community, but your entire community, specifically those who are at risk and underprivileged.
Clearly the gap mentioned in the editorial were the SPCA to not be in Nanaimo, would be immensely greater than simply one in animal control.
We have provided services here for well over half a century, never asking for operational support from taxpayers, but now we are in need of support from the entire community.
We have raised $800,000 so far and will find a way to raise the other $1.7 million. We are asking for between five and seven per cent from the city to move us to the next phase and solidify our plans to build, not for ongoing yearly operational support – that will come as it always does from our kind and generous animal lovers, supporters, donors, volunteers and members in the community who wish to support not only the abandoned, abused and neglected animals, but the health of the entire city’s human population too.
Leon Davismanager, Nanaimo SPCA
To the Editor,
Re: Let SPCA build its own shelter, Editorial, June 26.
The B.C. SPCA is not a self-serving, profit-making corporation but a member- and volunteer-based organization mandated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act that serves the interests not just of animals but of all residents of the province and is dependent entirely on donations.
The proposed new shelter will continue to provide those services, but in an expanded way for the benefit of all residents.
Prevention of cruelty to animals is a legal obligation and a responsibility of the entire community. The SPCA’s purpose is to help the community deal with its abandoned, abused and overpopulation animal problem.
E. Norma LePagevia e-mail