VANCOUVER— CUPE 1622 has been advised by the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that effective January 1, 2010 the Lower Mainland night emergency program late shift will be eliminated.
“We are very concerned that injured animals or those in distress will receive no response from the SPCA from midnight to 8:30AM,” says Mark Hancock, CUPE BC Secretary Treasurer and former member of the SPCA board.
The Society is also replacing the SPCA emergency response officer who works until midnight with an Animal Care Attendant, who is not trained or qualified to rescue animals that are injured or in distress. After 12:30AM, there will be no staff in place to even answer phones and provide critical information to concerned citizens who want to help animals.
“Our members are very concerned that this is a step towards withdrawing direct care services to animals,” adds Hancock.
CUPE members deal with emergency issues from horses breaking out of a corral and running down the highway, to dogs, cats, and raccoons that have been hit by cars. They also investigate and respond to situations where animals are being abused and mistreated.
