Yes, this is where we are headed people. Write BCSPCA. Ideally contact anyone you know in BC and have them write in. BAD press means less donations hint hint:
Shelter Arrogance BCSPCA Refuses to Return Dog to Owner
POSTED BY FROGDOGZ ON JULY - 5 - 2009ADD COMMENTS
In June of this year, a purebred show dog went missing. Her handler instantly initiated a search campaign for the dog, notifying local animal control and the SPCA, and providing them with specific identifying details of the dog, including her microchip information.
While the agent was still searching, Animal Control found the dog. A scan revealed her microchip, which was registered in the name of her US breeder and owner. The owner was notified that AC had possession of the dog.
Recent border changes require the breeder to have a passport to be able to travel into Canada from the USA. Without one, the breeder had to cancel her plans to fly north to claim the dog back personally. Instead, she appointed an agent and notified Animal Control that the dog would be claimed by this person. Animal Control apparently agreed to this.
Unfortunately, AC didnt follow through. Instead, they handed the dog over to the BCSPCA shelter. BPSPCA refuses to relinquish the dog to the appointed agent, and states emphatically that no dog leaves their shelter without being altered. They state that the dog will be spayed, and then re homed.
In the ultimate kind move, BCSPCA CEO Craig Daniell has told the legal owner of the dog that she was welcome to apply to adopt the dog after she was spayed.
Someone please explain to me how on earth the BCSPCA has any legal right to do this. How can they take possession of dog that is clearly not a roaming stray, and refuse to return it without it being altered? Since when does the BCSPCA or any other SPCA have the right to do surgery on a dog that is owned by another person, without that persons permission (dead against that persons permission, in fact)?
We all understand the problems with intact dogs producing more unwanted puppies, but this dog does not fall into that category. Her owner has the legal right to keep an intact dog, and the BCSPCA is denying her that right. I hope that the dogs owner initiates an expensive and successful legal campaign against the BCSPCA if they do proceed with spaying her dog.
If BCSPCA is allowed to proceed with this, what, in theory, is to stop them from rounding up intact dogs from any show or event site, and altering them before they are returned (possibly) to their legal owners?
Add to this the complete and utter gall and insensitivity of telling a dogs lawful owner that she will have to apply to be considered for that dogs home. Its the same as if your child wandered off at a playground, and Child Welfare picked them up and immediately placed them for adoption, telling you that you can apply to become their foster parent.
Incredible.
Feel free to let CEO Craig Daniell know how you feel about his actions. You can email him at cdaniell@spca.bc.ca