gift horse?

I'm glad to see this article posted as I'm way too shy to phone and be on the radio :)

Anyway, I found out about the Science Diet opportunity that the animals have been presented with back in May but only because we volunteer at the SPCA.

Some of the new dogs that would have to get used to the science diet in their first few days there I'm sure had upset tummies from the change in food plus with the stress of being in a strange place most likely added to tummy problems is my guess. I was so happy to hear that Science Diet made such a huge and appreciated donation and saw that after a few days of being around the same dog saw the huge difference in the animal. (I did lots of poop scooping and spent lots of time in the cat room..Almost like they saved all their pooping for me??? lol...)

I love the people at the SPCA and sure hope it was just a misunderstanding.

I'm wondering if the grocery stores where people buy the food to be donated in the first place would allow signs to go up on their shelves telling people that the SPCA is no longer in need of food but could use help in other areas?

This is news?

The SPCA has every right to refuse donations for any reason it sees fit. The lady has every right to take her business elsewhere. Case closed. No need to make a news story about it.

This is a very unfortunate misunderstanding. I have to agree though. I feed my dogs the same food every day and would never dream of switching their food. One of my dogs is very sensitive to the type of food she gets and I can only feed her one kind or else she has a lot of stomach problems, vomiting, etc. I really do hope this doesn't shed a bad light on the PG SPCA. They really are a wonderful organization that does a great job at protecting animals. Three cheers also to the Loyal Order of Moose. Their hearts were in the right place.

Sounds like the SPCA has found a corporate sponsor and is now refusing to use any food other than that manufactured by the sponsor. I think it's been a long time since the SPCA actually put the animals first. (Excepting of course, the volunteers).

Anybody who has animals knows that you don't go switching their food all the time and when you do it should be gradual over a period of a couple of weeks. These animals have been in enough distress that they don't need that added when they are trying to recover. Hill's Science Diet is a fairly decent food that most animals tolerate fairly well, and for the SPCA to have a consistent source is highly beneficial to all. There are enough challenges with rescue animals/operations without adding chronic vomiting or diarrhea to the mix.

One of the stipulations in the contract with Hills Science Diet is stated. "The BCSPCA will not use/recieve or advertise any other brand of food during the Hills/SPCA contract.
Hills donates the food,the spca pays only shipping,and the animals benenfit greatly.

The non science diet food is saved and given to st. vincent or to people to hand out at numerous reserves in northern BC.

The spca is wonderful!

p.s FAXMAN How does the spca not put animals first?

drexel:

I have just spoken with the head office of the BCSPCA which informs me that the contract does not say they cannot receive any other brand of food, only that they cannot feed the animals any other kinds of food. As is stated in the story, the SPCA can accept your donation, and will donate it to another needy charity.

Elaine Macdonald

I have always fed my pets cheaper food and I have never seen chronic vomiting or diarrhea!

Besides go to the pound they don't have any animals there anymore! want to know why?
there all adopted out that's why!

One of the best things about opinion 250 is the accuracy in the reporting.

My dogs, who live outdoors all year round, have been eating the cheapest dog food I can find for years and are healthy, have good coats and plenty of energy and stamina, so what's in a name? Advertising.
Each of the three brands I buy are not advertised, that I know of, when it is time for more, I go to the store, and buy several large bags of whichever of the three that is the cheapest that day.
I have not observed any change in the dogs at all, other than they do prefer the one brand over the other two, and we get those dirty looks when they don't get what they wished for. No diarrea, no vomiting, no hysterics, just dirty looks. Gosh, are we doing something wrong?
metalman.

Thanks for the clarification Elaine.

When you are a non-profit or receive donatins from the public there is no excuse to use that you don't want donations. This is just horrile what the SPCA did, no matter what they say. They are just ungratefull and abviously have enough taxpayers money. What a bunch of crap that the animals perfer the best of the best food. I will not give any money or support them again. You ungratefull organization!!!!!!!!!!!!! My donations aren't good enough for you.

"When you are a non-profit or receive donatins from the public there is no excuse to use that you don't want donations. This is just horrile what the SPCA did, no matter what they say. "

Give your head a shake! Did you even read the story and the SPCA's explanation? Apparently not.

"They are just ungratefull and abviously have enough taxpayers money"

I believe the BC SPCA is funded primarily through private donations, including donations of time by its many volunteers as well as donations of goods.

I believe the province gives something less than $100,000 per year which is supposed to cover the cost of operating the cruelty investigation part of the operation which would cost considerably more for the enire province.

The food is still donated. However, they were offered a steady supply of the same kind of food for the entire province. Of course there are advertising benefits to the supplier. But it also happens to be a good product based on a balance nutritional requirement for different types and ages of cats and dogs.

Put yourself into the place of someone who wants to change their many years of operations that the public has gotten used to. You will never catch everyone and you will never make everyone happy even when they get to know that you have changed procedures.

They are between a rock and a hard place.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Hills offers a free 4 or 5 lbs bag of dog food with each adoption. This starts the new owners pet on their brand. I suspect a large number would continue to feed their pets Hills,.

In addition the SPCA has to pay the so called minimal shipping and handling fees. In order to properly assess whether they are gettng a deal or not, one would have to know how much the SPCA pays Hill for the shipping and handling, and how much Hill actually pays for the shipping and handling,. There could be a big difference.

When you mass produce a ;product your unit costs are quite low, and therefore Hills could supply this feed at a very small cost to them, and could in fact be making money on the shipping and handling. Plus they are getting good advertising, and getting their product into houses with each adoption.

It called marketing.

When Coke or Pepsi was in the school pop machines it was one or the other:never both.
The same with potatoe chips in the cafeterias...

Strictly a business choice and a good one by the SPCA since it takes out a line item on their expenses as well as eliminates problems with their clients.

Get real everyone.
The person at SPCA missed the boat on explaining the situation. Remember this is a low budget operation with very, very high maintenance clientele.

Take a good look in the mirror if you are denying your donations to a worthwhile cause because your are hurt.
The SPCA is looking after animals that some of us won`t commit to long term.
Shame on you!!!

Perfectly put Runner46

Some thoughtful comments by Palupo, but I did not see in the article where the SPCA have to pay 'handling', only the freight.
Pal. is right though, if there is a 'handling' charge, it can be any amount the shipper deems appropriate, and could easily cover their costs and more.
I hope that the SPCA is paying only for the actual freight.
metalman.

It's too bad this situation has left a bad taste in people's mouths and maybe could have been handled better by both parties. First off, no one said that it had to be the "best" food on the market - apparently Science Diet was who they decided to partner with and maybe they offered the best deal! so get passed that one. Before taking on this generous and kind gesture a simple phone call to find out if there was a preference could have saved alot of grief. It is much better for the animals to have one brand of dog food as it does eliminate digestive ailments. I have gone through that with my dogs and you only need to switch their food one time (100%) to see the results. I too have taken food down in the passed (and it wasn't Science Diet) and now that I know what they prefer will change to that for my next donation. Please remember that it is the animals who will ultimately pay if people don't support the SPCA.