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Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
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 05-29-2007, 5:38 AM |
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Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
![Wall [wall]](/emoticons/wallbash_red.gif) I am just trying to get my message out their. I want to warn people about the SPCA..especially the Moncton SPCA. I am posting this letter everywhere's. I don't want anyone's animal put down for no reason...just for trusting the person answering the phone at the local shelter.
I recently had a very disturbing experience with the SPCA, which made me realize that my previous beliefs about how that organization works were mistaken. I wanted to tell my story as a cautionary note to other people.
My cat disappeared last week. She had all of her vaccines, tags, and a collar. A neighbor lost her cat at the same time. As part of our frantic search for our cats, she called the local SPCA with a description of her cat, and other relevant information such as when the cat went missing, her contact information, etc. The people at the SPCA told her that the cat was not there.
We later learned from our neighbors that there is somebody in our area, who picks up cats that he finds, and either dumps them at the SPCA, or abandons them in the middle of nowhere. Alarmed, my friend went to the SPCA, in spite of having been told her cat was not there. She was stunned to find that, indeed, her cat was there. Based on the dates, she learned that her cat was, in fact, brought in earlier on the day that she had called. Moreover, the location of where the cat was found matched her description of where the cat was lost. It is painfully obvious that, when workers there told her that her cat was not there, they really just never bothered to look. Considering that unclaimed strays are euthanized, it is stunning that they would do something like this.
There are approximately 20 cats at this shelter at any given time, and my friend’s cat was the only one that clearly matched the description she had given. Because she was told her cat was not there, the poor thing sat at the shelter for four days, while she continued to frantically look for her.
It is fortunate that my friend did not accept as truth what the SPCA workers told her. I wonder, however, what happens to other beloved pets that end up there. The shelter is in the middle of nowhere, so those without easy access to a car may very well have to rely on the truthfulness of what they are told when they call. I find this chilling.
When she visited the shelter, my friend also brought in a picture of my missing cat. They told her there was no cat that matched that description. When I went in and looked, however, I saw a cat that did, indeed, seem to match the description I gave on the phone and the picture my friend gave them of my cat. Sadly, it was not my cat, but the point is that she had been told that no such cat was there. They then told my friend that another cat, who matched this description, was euthanized earlier, because it was ill. Like my friend, I had called the SPCA, looking for my missing cat. When I called, I was told there was no cat there matching that description. It is apparent that there were, in fact, two cats who matched my description. One of them was euthanized. You can imagine my distress at thinking that the cat they euthanized could have been my own beloved pet.
This experience was especially distressing for me, because it is not the first time this has happened to me. In 1999, I lost my cat, and called the SPCA with all of the relevant information. I continued to call on a daily basis. The following week, when I called, they said they had, in fact, had a cat matching the description, but that they had euthanized it, because it was ill. I had called repeatedly, obviously distressed that my cat was missing, and had given them a detailed description. When a cat matching my description was brought in, they euthanized the cat without ever contacting me. Again, it is clear that they never bothered to check in response to my phone call. I believe the cat they euthanized was, in fact, my beloved pet.
I need to be clear that, to me, my pets are not just animals. They are members of my family. I am very careful with them, and I do not allow them to wander. Sometimes, however, accidents happen. The SPCA is supposed to be set up to provide a resource for reuniting lost pets with their people. I am dumbfounded at the level of callousness that is necessary for somebody working there to tell a distraught pet owner that they do not have their pet, when they really might have the pet there. I do not know why this happens. Is it laziness? Is walking a few feet to the cage more than the people answering the phone wish to do? And if they work at an animal shelter, shouldn’t they be committed to animal welfare? And yet they would allow a beloved animal to be euthanized, rather than making the token effort of checking when somebody calls, to see if the animal is there.
My story has a happy ending. After two weeks missing, my cat suddenly reappeared. I do not know where she was, but my gratitude at finding her is immense. I have spent the last few days believing that the cat euthanized at the SPCA was, indeed, my cat, and I cannot tell you how upsetting this was.
When we lose our pets, there are many hazards to give us fear. They could starve, or be attacked by other animals, or be hit by a car, or be hurt by humans. The SPCA is supposed to be a resource to help us. What I have learned, however, is that the SPCA in my area may be the greatest hazard of all for a missing animal.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt" "No one loves you unconditionally as your beloved pet." ~~I have nothing but sympathy for those that can't relate.
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| 05-29-2007, 8:23 AM |
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
Thanks for sharing that.Its a real eye opener.
Death is life's way of telling you you've been fired.
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| 05-29-2007, 7:44 PM |
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Paladin
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Moderator in Residence
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Posts 7,959
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
I understand you pain ,anger and frustion.
Have you sent a copy of this to the SPCA?
Moncton SPCA
116 Greenock Street
Moncton, NB,
E1H 2J7
If the powers that be in the Organization, do not know what is happening, no change can occure.
Good luck in bringing about changes,,we all deserve that.
Keeping you informed, entertained, amused.. and Spam Free Buy, Sell, or Trade on Moncton.net. Moncton's Free Classifieds "The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein - Chat Room
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| 05-29-2007, 8:13 PM |
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
The person I spoke too could care less...and my friend the one I talked about spoke to the Manager...they don't see this as a problem. The manager just kept saying it was her fault because her cat was loose and talking about the Moncton bylaw. To me that is not the issue, I admit I was wrong, my cat was loose...but neither of us ignored that fact or walked away. WE LOOKED WE CALLED WE CARED...but instead of them admitting they did anything wrong...they just blamed us. No apology or explanation on why they can't look to see if your pet is actually there or look through records. They just can't be bothered. If they had of even said on the phone it is better for you to come in and look around your self. WE BOTH WOULD HAVE BEEN RIGHT THERE!
I also wrote to the SPCA New Brunswick and the one for all of Canada. Hopefully someone might care about a cat...but then again maybe to these people it is just a job and no reguard for the animals welfare of safety.
Thanks for the help....
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt" "No one loves you unconditionally as your beloved pet." ~~I have nothing but sympathy for those that can't relate.
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| 05-29-2007, 9:37 PM |
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
I feel the need to reply to this posting because I have had experience with dealing with the SPCA in Moncton.
Unfortunately it is a flawed system. But I want to explain something here. When an animal is brought into the SPCA with a collar on they do not euthanize that animal. They hold that animal. They scan that animal for chips. All animals cats and dogs should have a collar on with some kind of identification tags (whether this is just a rabies tag from a vet clinic which has a registration number on it or a tag that you made for $10.00 at pets unlimited with your animals name, your number and name).
Unless you have seen the inner workings of this establishment you really have no idea what takes place in it. You say that any given time there are about 20 cats there, try again... Try and triple or quadruple that number most days.
I agree that there are "problems" with this shelter, but if you really are that worried that someone is lying intentionally to you on the phone why didn't you get off you butt and go down there to find out for yourself? Easy access to a car??? $10.00 for a cab would have done it. How about volunteering at the SPCA and see how it really works... maybe a big eye opener.
I can tell you that when I lived in Moncton, with my cat. He was strictly an indoor cat. never went outside, not even on a leash and he was still collared with identification... Stop bitching about an organization that needs help and do somthing about it.
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| 05-30-2007, 4:04 AM |
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
My cat does have identification...she is an indoor cat. She just got out when my kids came home. I was not worried the person was LYING ON THE PHONE...I believed her when she said my cat was not their...so did my friend. It wasn't until we heard this person was TRAPPING cats REMOVING THEIR COLLARS...that we went and looked. Her cat had a collar with an ID tag...whoever this person is hates cats and trapes in traps set up for wild animals. There has been many complaints about this person doing this. But the SPCA will not say who it is...and they don't do anything about him dropping them off in the middle of nowheres....so we cannot do anythng about this person who is abandoning cats and removing collars. The SPCA has had 4 complants about this person...WHOEVER IT IS...and since they wont tell us we can't take any legal recoarse for this.
AS SOON AS WE DOUBTED THE SPCA WE DD GET OVER THEIR...and by the way for me ...where I live it was 42 for a cab...so don't give my your bullshit when you don't know. I love my cat enough to be concerned and enough to care more then those jerks that have a job and don't do it. I have volunteered at the SPCA when I was a teen. I thought of them as abusive and wrong. It bothered me to be around these peopel that are suppose to care about these animals and have little regard for them. I have also volunteered and numous shelter.
OH AND I DO HELP. I HAVE 5 ABANDONED ABUSED DOGS. I LOVE THEM TAKE CARE OF THEM...I also have 3 cats and 6 rabbits...WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP THEM. SO with me having 14 animals, I think is helping far more then you probably ever have. SO don't tell me to get off my butt and stop bitching. I am WARNING people because I would hate for them to lose an animal they love when people trust these people thinking they care or have feeling for these innocent animals. But they don't care it's their job and that is the difference. I care so I help. I have rescued MANY animals. I have had and loved animals that where beaten...and on their last leg...knowing my heart will ache just so they had a good home and felt love. I also found a dog hit by a car that the owner just said oh well we'll have to put him down. I PAID FOR THE SURGERY OF THIS 10 YEAR OLD DOG..1200 dollars and it lived with me for 6 years. SO PLEASE DON"T ACT LIKE I DON"T CARE AND I AM JUST TRYING TO COMPLAIN TO COMPLAIN. I posted this becaue I care full heartedly and don't want a pet owner to lose a loved one.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt" "No one loves you unconditionally as your beloved pet." ~~I have nothing but sympathy for those that can't relate.
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| 05-30-2007, 8:10 AM |
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
I fully agree with you, ANYONE who is a true animal lover and considers there pets to be part of your family environment has the GOD GIVEN right to worry and be concerned over a lost pet. Let me tell you if any animal of mine was picked up by a loser and taken out and dropped off, then he or she best not hope I find out who they are, because they would regret running into my temper, and yes I agree with you, don't bother calling the SPCA for information on lost animals or turned in animals, because the response you get is "no animal of that type or description has been turned in".
You and your friend had every right to worry and be upset with the response you got, people should have a little more care and compassion for people and there animals, my dog is part of my family, and pitty help any one who harms or hurts her in anyway.
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| 05-30-2007, 8:24 AM |
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
Thank you Snoopyagain....you got my point. I just wanted to make sure that people are aware of this. I don't ever want to see anyone lose a furry baby because they believed the SPCA. I want to make sure if someones baby is lost they GO IN AND LOOK...because I know alot of people would believe them...and why not they are they for animal protection...right... WRONG..PAYCHECK...Thanks for understanding.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt"
"No one loves you unconditionally as your beloved pet." ~~I have nothing but sympathy for those that can't relate.
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| 05-30-2007, 9:38 AM |
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
I normally just lurk these forums occasionally, but had to join when I saw this post.
The SPCA helps dozens of animals every month find new homes, or be re-united with the families when they are lost. I volunteer there occasionally, and know how hard they work to ensure the animals are treated properly and are comfortable. They are probably under staffed and over whelemed with the amount of animals they have to care for, but do a very good job anyway. If money was not an issue, I'm sure more employees or a larger building would be quickly in order.
Most strays coming in are quickly re-united with their families as long as they have a collar with a tag, an identification tattoo etc. Obviously your friends cat did not. Perhaps this man in question you mentioned removed it, but that's not the SPCA's problem. Proper ID on the cat would have resulted in a quick return to the owner.
You say they have 20 cats there, so identifying your friends should have been easy? Understatement of the year!! They have dozens of cats on-site (I've seen 3 or 4 rooms full of cats at any time I've been there) plus dozens of cats (as far as I know) in foster homes. These are temporary homes for cats as they just do not have enough space on-site.
The reason they have so many animals there is that unless an animal is sick or severely injured, they take it in and take care of it until a home is found.
I think it's great that you have taken care of so many animals in the past that were abused or abandoned, and I applaud you for that. I wish there were more people like you around doing similar acts. I also think the if someone in your area is removing collars from animals and taking them to the shelter or elsewhere, that is terrible. I would be extremely angry if it happened to my dog and would want justice, but i don't think that is an SPCA matter, more like the RCMP.
However, I think it's pretty unfair of you to start a thread titled "Do Not Trust the Moncton SPCA" under the given circumstances. They took care of your friends cat for 4 days as it had no identification, until she went and got it. In addition, we all make mistakes (I've made plenty over the years), and if a mistake was made at the SPCA (which may or may not be the case here), I hardly think it warrants labeling them un-trustworthy over 1 incident.
If it had been my dog, I would have brought a picture in to them (was this done?) and gone in every day to check all the animals to see if he was there, even though he has a tag and tattoo.
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| 05-30-2007, 10:04 AM |
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
I did not post that to get in a pissing contest. I merely want to warn people not to trust the person on the phone...to go in...DO NOT BELIEVE THEM IF THEY SAY YOUR ANIMAL IS NO THERE. If the person had of said to me on the phone it's best you come in...WE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THAT DAY. Instead they say no there is no cat like that in here, thinking they know what they are talking about YOU BELIEVE THEM. If my child went missing and I called the cops and they said no kids have been picked up...I would believe they know what they are talking about BECAUSE THAT IS THERE JOB!!! If my boss says to me do you know if we have this file...you know what I do..LOOK AND LOOK HARD. I do not sit on my butt and just say nope no file like that here. I have looked through boxes for days to find some things...they can't look through 4 or 5 rooms to reunite a cat with it's owner. Most people would assume if they work their and they say no there is no cat like that here, that they are telling the truth. Why would I assume if they are there and caring for these animals that they wouldn't now what cat't are there....why say no they are not here...if they could be. That is my problem. WE BOTH BROUGHT IN PICTURES...THEY SAID THAT CAT IS NOT HERE. We went back in and asked to look...she found her's. We went in a total of three times. They should have said from the beginning..come in and look for yourself. There would have been no issue.
Really if them looking is such a HUGE DRASTIC ISSUE (I searched those 5 rooms it took me a total of 15 minutes...so it's really not that much work or too time consuming) and complicated for them...then take a picture of EVERY ANIMAL that is in there POST THEM ALL ONLINE as cats and dogs are turned in. Maybe hitting the snap button is too much work too...who knows. They should make it a hell of alot easier and smoother for an owner to be reunited with it's owner.
And further more the SPCA knows who the person is that is removing the collars...we contacted the RCMP they said we can't do anything because we don't know who it is and the SPCA says we can't give out this person's information. So basically they are condoning this person antics. The only thing we know is it's a male and lives on the same street as my friend (that much we squeezed out of them). So we can't do anythign about this person it is beyond our control. So yes it is the SPCA's responsibility they should be saying you can't steal people pets and remove their collars...instead this same person is in week after week with PEOPLE'S PETS NOT STRAYS. They should notify the RCMP WITH HIS NAME AND ADDRESS, that is what anyone would do that is concerned over the welfare of an animal. According to the law this person is stealing..because a cat is property...so he is stealing and abandoning my property. Would that make the SPCA an accomplist? Where ever this freak took my cat it took two weeks for her to find her way home. This is acceptable to you? My cat was malnourished...this is okay? It is not okay for me....I keep thinking what if my cat never came home. I had an 8 year old crying themselves to sleep every night. It fine with me and this person should be charged for what he is doing.
So is it fair to say do not trust the SPCA? Well they said to me on the phone NO YOUR CAT IS NOT here...they said to my friend on the phone NO YOUR CAT IS NOT HERE...they said to the pictures NO YOUR CAT IS NOT HERE...THE CAT WAS THERE THE WHOLE TIME. So no dont' trust what these people tell you go in and DEMAND to look for your pet. You cannot take their word for it.
You can trust them all you want...but my pet is much to valuable to me to believe these people when they say no there is no cat that looks like that here...you can't believe them on the phone or face to face...they are full of it!
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt" "No one loves you unconditionally as your beloved pet." ~~I have nothing but sympathy for those that can't relate.
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| 05-30-2007, 1:21 PM |
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
So let's just say that if you lose a pet..GO IN YOURSELF....Save yourself the time and wondering...This is a place that runs off of volunteers and donations..they are not perfect..No place is or ever will be...They have done alot of good for Moncton and the surrounding areas...If you think they can improve...I am sure they would love some volunteers...
Yes it suks that the person on the phone did not recognize your cat..honestly I would be just as upset if it happened to one of my cats...But at the same time..try to understand where they are at...So in the future when you lose your pet...don't call..show up..hell..bring some things to donate as well to make it easier on everyone...even donate time....
What do you think would happen with unwanted pets in the city if they weren't there...I would hate to see what some people would do with them
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| 05-30-2007, 1:31 PM |
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
I am sorry this is all my stupidity I should just assume everyone I call is a liar. Why would I have believed the SPCA employee...my bad. It's like when I call to make a dentist appointment...and they are all booked for the day...I should just show up...because she is probably a liar...I mean we assume that of everyone that we trust is doing their job. How stupid could I be to believe the SPCA employee would check? I should get a brain scan IMMEDIATLEY!
If you bothered to read my post that is what I was saying.
I was not writing just to bash the SPCA for fun...I want to WARN PEOPLE...just to make everyone aware.
How many people if their cat went missing would call???? Almost everyone I know, does everyone assume the person on the phone is lieing??? You believe them because it is their job. I don't know many after being told NO YOUR CAT IS NOT HERE that they would rush right in. They would be like me and my friend walking around the neighborhood screaming for our pet for day...stressing, crying, worrying!!!! Instead of being told I am not sure if your pet is here or not...we were TOLD NO ...a plain and simple no...not a pause or studder...it was an adament no. I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE TO GO IN. THE SPCA WONT BE FORTHRIGHT AND TELL YOU TO GO IN....BUT YOU HAVE TO. I don't understand why they do not tell you that on the phone...instead they just say nope no cat like that here. ALL THEY HAVE TO SAY TO ME OR ANYONE ELSE THAT CALL...IT"S BEST TO COME IN AND LOOK FOR YOURSELF...not make it sound like they know anything.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt" "No one loves you unconditionally as your beloved pet." ~~I have nothing but sympathy for those that can't relate.
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| 05-30-2007, 3:10 PM |
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
LOl.....And if you bothered to read my post you would see that I empathised with your plight and why you were upset and agreed with you that if you have lost your pet to just go in instead of call....
In the second I breath I offered suggestions to help make a situation better..So are you done now.????
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| 05-30-2007, 3:37 PM |
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
Yeah I am done...never will I post a warning to anyone to save their pets life.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt" "No one loves you unconditionally as your beloved pet." ~~I have nothing but sympathy for those that can't relate.
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| 05-30-2007, 3:45 PM |
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Re: Don't trust the Moncton SPCA!
You don't get it do you..I don't dispute what you were trying to say...I agreed with you...My point of the rest of my email was to think of ways to help make the situation better at the SPCA to further help animals in the future..
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