The other day, while listening to the radio, I heard an announcement about the need for foster homes for cats, as the SPCA shelter was filling up. A friend of mine wanted to foster a cat, so we both made our way down to the shelter.

I was shocked at the welcome we received. One of the ladies behind the desk looked up at me and said “And what can I do for you?” in a rather rude tone.

I replied “My friend is looking to foster cats” (as I was no longer interested at that point). As the paperwork was being filled out, I could hear the dogs barking in the back room. I politely asked the other lady if I could go back to see the dogs, because I have been looking for a companion for both my son and my male shepherd-cross.

The lady hastily responded, “You are not an approved adopter, so no .” I asked her why and she said, “We don’t want to spread disease and it’s too much stress on the dogs.”

Without asking any more questions I left (never to return again). I can understand that working in a place like that and seeing the animals suffer can make a person a little less perky, but I do not feel it excuses the tone and manner in which I was treated as soon as I walked through the door.

Perhaps this is the reason for so few adoptions, because I know I will not adopt an animal from that shelter. Instead, I will look elsewhere to expand my loving family.

This particularly upsets me because about three years ago, financial hardship forced me to surrender my beloved pet because I could not provide a home for her. I took her to the SPCA in hopes that they would love her the way I did until they could find her the home she deserved.

I wonder now if that ever happened. If these animals are not adopted in a certain time they are terminated, so it pains me to think that because of one person’s poor attitude she may have been one of those animals. I feel to make a positive change you need to rise above the negativity and reach out to people. You shouldn’t judge all people based on the actions of others. Break the cycle and make a change for the good.

Robyn Vachon

Prince George