PUBLIC FORUM : Johanne Tasse

It was well attended since the media had reported extensively the many irregularities and alleged improprieties of the Society.

People were astonished, concerned, angry and in shock to hear that all was not well at the shelter.

Lack of compassion, animal being euthanized, stolen, or lost within the SPCA.

(column break) Questionable financial transactions

I had taken a seat above; a perfect observation point to view the spectacle.

Once the formalities were out of the way the fur began to fly, so to speak.

Questions after questions after questions many could not be answered since the newly elected board were only one hour into the post.

As I am listening to the banter of the audience I realized the challenge that faces the board only one person could save the SPCA Montreal from it predicament, Superman.

The woes of animal welfare advocates laid their grievances at the feet of the newly elected board members.

'You must do something' could be heard through out the night.

Superman help us.

(column break) Superman does not exist

Having volunteered for a number of years for a rescue group and being privy to situations that most Quebecers will never have to face I can tell you unequivocally we are the problem.

The SPCA Montreal is just a reflection with what is wrong with the state of animal welfare in Quebec.

No need for superpowers to correct the situation; just a will to make things right.

A step in correcting the situation would be to ban the sale of animals in retail stores.

We are churning out rabbits, kittens and puppies by the hundreds while our pounds, shelters, SPA and SPCA’s freezers are full of carcasses of pets we once cherished.

L’Ordre des Médecins Vétérinaires du Québec will not allow for a low cost spay and neuter treatment centre or a mobile unit if a veterinarian does not own it. The mandate of a low cost spay and a neuter centre is to sterilize as many animals as possible, cover their costs and provide a viable solution to the pet overpopulation. This is not a money making venture.

It should be mandatory that institutions (rescues, pounds, SPA and SPCA) in Quebec must sterilize the animals prior to selling or adopting the animal. Anima Quebec, our governing body whose mandate is to enforce P-42 animal welfare law, does not sterilize the animals seized under P-42.

Municipalities should subsidize rescue groups who are being pro-active by sterilizing feral cats. Trap neuter and release (TNR) programs is common practice in the U.S.

The feral colonies once sterilized will not reproduce.

Also the municipalities should include a provision in their animal control contract a clause that would offer a safety measure that would obligate the pounds to put some effort in adopting out the animals instead of sending them to the gas chamber.

What can I do? Adopt your animal from a rescue organization. Support a retailer who only sells food and accessories for pets. Have your pet sterilized now. Inquire about the animal control contracts.

And if you do not have a pet or do not wish to adopt one, support us.

Many of us have shed the tears for the ones we could not save. They paid the ultimate price for our indifference.

Superman is in every person's heart and soul.

We could be Superman for a day.

— Johanne Tasse, a Beaconsfield resident, is head of the Companion Animal Adoption Centres of Quebec.