How unconscionable that the BCSPCA left the tigers at the Siberian Magic zoo for so long. In my opinion, SPCA's inactions have added to the outright cruelty to these animals, as they knowingly allowed them to be kept, year after year, in these tiny confined, unsafe spaces. There is absolutely no excuse good enough to warrant SPCA leaving these exotic animals in this horrific state.
As is too often the case these days, it took the death of a young woman and of the distraught tiger to bring this deplorable state to the publics' eye. How horrifying that the SPCA did not step up earlier when they could have prevented this tragedy from happening. As to their excuse that they had no facilities in which to place the animals: had they simply done an internet search, as did I, they would have found dozens of rescue sites in Canada and the U.S. alone. A few e-mails might have found them a better home. Shame on SPCA officials for ignoring this problem and for using such a flimsy excuse.
BC SPCA was also quoted in the local newspaper as saying they are under-funded; on their own website, the salary of the Executive staff is between $100,300.00 to $135,700 annually; the next 11 Management staff are paid between $66,300.00 up to $120,700.00 each.
Diane Esther
Coombs, BC