Dear Editor,
Please permit the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) to comment on a particularly reprehensible letter appearing in the Kaieteur News (‘Serious accusation against the animal clinic, GSPCA,’ March 1). This is yet another attack on the Animal Society, presumably by a small band of persons with a narrow and destructive agenda. Let us start by expressing our shock and disappointment that a letter full of baseless and vile character attacks on GSPCA committee members and veterinarians could be published unchecked, especially given its potential to besmirch not only the personal reputations of these persons but also that of the Society itself.
Indeed, the letter writer asserts that the GSPCA “pays millions to persons just to live a fancy lifestyle under the pretence of helping animals,” presumably in reference to GSPCA committee members. Editor, first of all, the GSPCA committee members and all GSPCA members in general give freely of their time and even their own money without needing to promote this publicly. Perhaps it is this virtue that leads to the vicious and untrue accusations of a few that the Society’s membership is not doing enough. Yet, at every annual general meeting—held without fail by the GSPCA—the Society’s accounts, audited by a reputable firm, are presented—also without fail. Surely, these are hallmarks of a transparent and well-administered organization. At these meetings, the Society’s membership is free to ask for any clarifications they may need about these audited accounts. Surely, too, any instance in which millions of dollars had been fraudulently applied would have been spotted; yet, no one after reading these audited accounts that show the good stewardship of those tasked with keeping the GSPCA functioning could possibly entertain such a thought.
The letter writer also attacks the professional competency of the veterinarians involved in performing spay and neuter surgeries by labelling these vets as incompetent to perform spay and neuter surgeries. The GSPCA only works with experienced vets, both local and overseas-based, who are well-trained and qualified to perform these surgeries. Over the years, these vets have successfully performed thousands of such surgeries for the benefit of Guyanese pet owners who are required to pay nothing for these services. This ill-informed letter writer also goes on to claim that the surgeries performed at another location are somehow superior to those provided by the GSPCA. We also wish to let the public know that the surgeries performed at the other location mentioned by the letter writer are also, in part, sponsored by the same GSPCA being vilified, and the team of vets who worked at that location are the very same vets who perform the surgeries at the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, Bourda.
The GSPCA has also noted another letter written by a beneficiary of the GSPCA’s spayed and neuter programme (‘Judy showers praises on the Animal Clinic, GSPCA,” Kaieteur News, March 3). Though perhaps not writing entirely of her own volition, this beneficiary does acknowledge that her own ill-advised Facebook post triggered the malicious letter of March 1, and sets the record straight by acknowledging the GSPCA’s assistance to her work. While the GSPCA wishes to thank her for this effort, the damage, nevertheless, has certainly already been done. We again wish to point out to those with a penchant for publicly criticizing the GSPCA that this act has grave and destructive consequences as its real effects manifest themselves in the reluctance of the general public to make use of the essential services provided by the GSPCA which are not provided in a similar capacity by any other organization or group in Guyana. The end result, which may not be clear to some, is that animals will continue to suffer unnecessarily. The GSPCA truly hopes that the Guyanese public has not been influenced against spaying and neutering their pets as these procedures will prevent unwanted pregnancies in these animals and greatly help to control our dog and cat stray population. We encourage the public to find out more about how their pets may benefit from these procedures by calling the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter on 226-4237.
Yours faithfully,
Oliver Insanally
Jennifer Falconer-Majeed
Shiromanie Isaacs
Dominique Ahmad
Dr Steve Surujbally
Dr Nardeo Bassoodeo
Robin Sivanand
Stacey Gomes
The Executive Committee of the GSPCA
