The owner of an animal rescue centre in the Fraser Valley said he’s received an SPCA order he can’t possibly comply with, and might simply decide to close up shop.
Earlier this month, SPCA officers seized dozens of animals from The Reptile Guy Rescue and Education Centre in Mission, citing concerns about their welfare.
Next, owner Mike Hopcroft said the organization gave him a window of less than two weeks to have all his remaining reptiles and rats examined by a veterinarian.
“We got the letter Dec. 22, they gave us until Jan. 3 to comply,” Hopcroft said.
“They know it’s something that’s not feasible. We cannot do this.”
Hopcroft said he has hundreds of animals left, and was told to have every reptile inspected for parasites and every rat inspected for respiratory disease.
In a lengthy Facebook post uploaded Sunday night, Hopcroft said “the stress has now taken the fun out of this job” and that he’s considering selling the business or finding good homes for the remaining animals.
He has also asked for public donations through a GoFundMe page.
The SPCA, which has served four warrants on The Reptile Guy rescue, told CTV News it only executes warrants when there’s evidence animals are in distress, and after the owners have been given a chance to address its concerns.
It wouldn’t give any more specifics on the case, however, as its investigation is ongoing.
Hopcroft has admitted some of the seized animals were in poor shape, but said that’s the way they came to him, and that he was trying to nurse them back to health.
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Sarah MacDonald
