Animals at the West Vancouver BC SPCA are left completely unattended for 14 hours every single day.  Staff depart at 5:00 PM and do not return until 7:00 AM the following morning. That is 14 hours that the dogs are left in their kennels with no care or company.  Many of the dogs will not soil their kennels, so they have to hold their bodily functions for over 14 hours causing extreme physical discomfort and distress.  Furthermore, the facility lacks climate control, exposing animals to uncomfortable temperatures. 

The photo above shows Clyde a senior dog outside with a volunteer dog walker. 

Clyde was at the West Vancouver SPCA for 6 weeks. During that time, he would not soil his kennel, holding his bladder and bowels for over 14 hours a day causing physical discomfort, while also suffering from the heat and loneliness.  This is unacceptable treatment for dogs in our communities.

Staff need to be present until at least 7:00 PM to allow volunteer dog walkers a vital evening window (4:00 PM to 6:00 PM) to exercise the dogs and allow the dogs to relieve themselves after their dinner, fundamentally restoring dignity and basic welfare to these shelter animals.
 

Because both the District of West Vancouver and the City of North Vancouver contract their official municipal pound services out to the West Vancouver BC SPCA shelter, these municipalities share responsibility for improving the quality of life of the animals at the shelter.  

We, the undersigned, call upon the West Vancouver BC SPCA leadership, alongside the District of West Vancouver and City of North Vancouver Councillors, to immediately mandate a minimum of 12 hours of daily on-site staffing.  

Thank you