The Editor,
Re: "SPCA barking up wrong tree," Letters, Aug. 24.
In response to Geoff Cooper's letter about adopting from the SPCA, we'd like to assure him that, with 32,000 homeless animals coming into our care every year, we work tirelessly to find responsible, loving homes for each and every one of them and do not deny adoptions for "trivial reasons", as he states.
It would appear from his letter that Mr. Cooper is confusing the BC SPCA Education & Adoption Centre in Richmond with the Richmond Animal Protection Society on No. 5 Road, as we do not claim to have 900 kittens in our care at our Richmond facility. However, both organizations work diligently to care for unwanted and homeless animals in the community and we both make every effort to match these animals with loving homes.
With respect to protecting the kittens from over-handling, it is common practice in animal shelters across North America to bring animals and potential adopters together when a serious adoption is being considered, rather than allowing open access to handling of the animals.
This has resulted in a significant drop in illness and spread of disease within shelters and takes place to ensure animals are happy and healthy for adoption. To the thousands of adopters who have provided loving homes for animals in Richmond, we say a heartfelt thank you and we hope others seeking to bring a new pet into their family will remember the many beautiful animals at the SPCA, RAPS and other Richmond rescue groups awaiting their "forever home."
Lorie Chortyk BC SPCA, general manager, community relations
