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Assistant manager’s resignation jolts Victoria SPCA supporters

The assistant manager of the Victoria SPCA quit her job Tuesday over proposed changes to the way the shelter provides medical care, prompting volunteers to go online to express concern for animals at the shelter.
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Victoria SPCA manager Penny Stone, left, Victoria Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe and former SPCA assistant manager Cory Bond are all smiles at a dog show earlier this year.

The assistant manager of the Victoria SPCA quit her job Tuesday over proposed changes to the way the shelter provides medical care, prompting volunteers to go online to express concern for animals at the shelter.

Cory Bond, formerly assistant deputy chief of Victoria’s police department, handed in her resignation effective July 20, after three years at the shelter.

“There have been changes made in the caring of animals and our ability to provide medical care to our shelter animals that has prompted my decision to leave,” Bond said in an email to shelter volunteers.

She thanked the many volunteers who help the shelter care for animals and hinted that she might return “to simply walking the dogs that are in the shelter’s care.”

She did not elaborate on what sort of changes to medical care are being proposed.

The resignation prompted supporters of the Victoria SPCA to express concern via the Internet Tuesday over possible changes to the way animals are cared for at the facility.

A Facebook page was created Tuesday called Supporters of Victoria SPCA 2013. Its purpose, said creator Linda Snider, is to create a discussion area for people concerned about management changes at the Victoria SPCA. Snider did not respond to a message requesting an interview.

Other changes in SPCA management include the addition of a regional manager for Vancouver Island. Graeme Wright joins the B.C. SPCA after spending 10 years with Starbucks.

Victoria SPCA manager Penny Stone was off sick Tuesday. Stone has run the Victoria shelter for more than 10 years and is credited with establishing the Friendly Neighbour Fund, which accepts donations to pay for surgeries and animal care not covered by the shelter’s tight veterinary budget.

Animals from other areas are sent to Victoria for veterinary care that otherwise would be unaffordable.

Stone has also been a staunch and vocal advocate for animal rights.

Reports that Stone had left her position were untrue, said Bob Bosch, general manager of B.C. SPCA operations on Tuesday.

“Cory’s resignation has certainly caused some rumours [to start] but we want to emphasize that Penny Stone has not been terminated,” Bosch said.

He wished Bond “all the best — she certainly has done a wonderful job for the B.C. SPCA. It’s business as usual at the shelter.”

Rumours that the Victoria SPCA will euthanize unadoptable animals are also untrue, Bosch said.

“Oh goodness, of course not,” Bosch said to the idea. “Victoria has one of the lowest euthanasia rates in the province and we’re very proud of that.”

smcculloch@timescolonist.com