Mail me a bride

It's true that it seems rather stupid and abusive to use such a system as ''Brides by Mail" [Cover, May 4]. However, in a time when most people do not look beneath the surface, it becomes quite a convenient way of introducing oneself when one is too poor to flash his 4x4 or to sport an Armani suit. If all I have to offer, besides my love and devotion, is my citizenship, then at last perhaps through extended correspondence will I find someone who will love me for the person that I am and not for my (rather flat) wallet. For once, being Canadian seems to serve another purpose than just paying taxes, thanks to brides by mail. I am a rich man after all.

-- Maxime Bergeron

Questioning the SPCA

I volunteered for the Jean-Talon SPCA from 1992-96. What I saw there still disturbs me deeply. I worked mostly weekend shifts walking the dogs in adoption. We tried everything but could never keep up with the steady flow of dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, hamsters etc.

I wrote an anonymous letter to The Mirror about two years ago stating that when I started at the shelter, about 90 per cent of the animals were being snuffed. I was confronted by Pierre Barnoti, director general of the SPCA, when I went in for my shift that Sunday. He wanted to know where I got off writing such a letter. He was in a big competition with Berger Blanc for a city contract and he said that really only 30 per cent of the animals were being put to sleep. I found out later from someone else that it was actually closer to 60 per cent.

Barnoti gets 10 per cent of the profits. Why? Shouldn't the SPCA have started a free spay-neuter program by now? Does he get 10 per cent of the fees for animal adoption? What about donations from the private sector? The Jean-Talon SPCA does not walk any of its dogs anymore. They think it's too much of a hassle. A dog or cat could spend more than a week urinating and defecating in their cage, sitting and waiting.

While I was at the SPCA I saw animals being put down for any number of reasons: too messy, afraid of people, crooked leg, not enough cages, epileptic, diabetic, skin ailments--any illness or deviation that might make it an expense would result in the animal being put down. A beautiful rabbit was taken from its cage while eating a carrot because it was considered too messy. I came back to find an empty cage and a half-eaten carrot on the floor.

Quebec has puppy mills. Dogs show up at the SPCA with rotting mouths and teeth because they were only bred for their genes--their puppies would "look cute" in a pet store. Some of these dogs have spent their whole lives in cages. Sometimes when there are extra puppies they are dropped on the highway along with the mother to be run over. The next time you buy a cat or dog in a pet store, think about where it's coming from.

The SPCA should set up viable volunteer programs, especially dog-walking programs for those that wait in cages indefinitely. Breeding animals should be left to responsible breeders only. A domestic dog or cat bonds with the humans they live with and do not need to produce litters (not even one). Visit the Jean-Talon SPCA and see for yourself. Go downstairs and see the strays. Ask questions.

-- Kate Davey

No Tobin at Tokyo

We want to apologize to anyone who believed the unfortunate rumour that Amon Tobin was playing last Tuesday night at Tokyo. Word on the street was that he was supposed to play an unannounced gig but that he didn't show up because he was too jet-lagged. Well, just to clear up any misunderstandings, he was definitely NOT booked to play that night and we are not sure who is responsible for telling people he was. The club had asked to book him but Amon declined because he wanted to be well-rested before his gig at Club Soda.

-- Philippa Klein, Ninja Tune