Dear Editor,
Re: “SPCA gets animal shelter and control contract back,” News, Dec. 3.
It has been demonstrated that RAPS leadership lost focus on the core mandate of the original RAPS, whose values were to help all animals, not just the quick, easily monetized flippable ones.
This was further illustrated by using the original RAPS reputation to create a “business” and thus being awarded the “Association of the year” at the Richmond Chamber of Commerce awards.
The reason the new “RAPS” didn’t get the shelter contract renewal is due to a lack of desire by the new leadership to get the contract; as such, the leadership could be free to focus on their spin-off businesses instead.
This disappointing outcome is far removed from the original mandate that countless selfless volunteers devoted hard work and dedication to, which was not for self-serving accolades or awards but to provide care to all animals, adoptable or not, and in doing so, created the original foundation for RAPS.
Unfortunately we are right back to where we started pre-RAPS, with the focus on a “successful business infrastructure” coming before compassion.
Wendy Klop
RICHMOND
