To the Editor,
Re: Let SPCA build its own shelter, Editorial, June 26.
This article minimizes totally the important services that the SPCA provides the community, and the writer sounds very flippant, heartless and careless.
I do realize the city contracts to Coastal Animal Services for the city pound, but you are trying to make it sound like the the efforts are being duplicated by the SPCA, which I know they are not. Both shelters have their own sets of priorities, and deal with different animal related issues, and they are all very important.
The SPCA is providing very valuable services to the community and citizens of Nanaimo. These same citizens are the ones ultimately putting animals into situations where help, protection, shelter and emergency services may be required, and so should be helping the SPCA. I have no problem with some of my tax dollars going to help the SPCA. It benefits me personally much more than, say, a theatre I can’t afford to go to, or a conference centre I have no use for.
I understand that the city has been very good to deal with by the SPCA and hope this continues. My family will be very unhappy with Nanaimo city council if assistance is not granted to SPCA who provide such an invaluable service to the residents of this city.
Karel and Larry CarterNanaimo
To the Editor,
Re: Let SPCA build its own shelter, Editorial, June 26.
The level of downplaying portrayed in this article of what they actually do for this community is upsetting.
As a registered psychiatric nurse working in the community I have on numerous occasions needed the SPCA. I have had patients who are psychotic and their animals are at risk, patients admitted to hospital and need temporary respite care for their animals. Severe cases of neglect and the SPCA responding immediately with court injunctions to help. This is just one aspect of what they do.
I find your article portrays a very negative light on a service that helps when no one else wants to. Would it not be more well-served to discuss all that they do, the animals they speak for and ways we the community can help?
Chelsea Reisingervia e-mail