Dear editor,
Re: The Have Your Say item in your paper (Record, March 21) from the mother who claims her disabled son was not welcomed as a volunteer at the SPCA.
I would just like to clarify that all BC SPCA branches, including the Comox Valley & District branch, are extremely grateful for all volunteers who help the animals, including the many disabled volunteers who have actively assisted us in Comox.
The gentleman in question was invited in for an interview and was being given an orientation about the volunteer programs available when he abruptly left — there was no hint of discrimination in the discussion and certainly no mention of “shuffling.”
We will be contacting the family directly to follow up with this situation, but we did want to take the opportunity to clarify that we would never treat any individual with a disability with disrespect.
Jennifer Filgate
Editor's note: Jennifer Filgate is with the Comox Valley & District branch of the BC SPCA.