Top stories of 2014: SPCA opens new shelter

McCullagh said in 2009 the New Leash on Life campaign started. The goal was to raise $3.2 million in five years. McCullagh said it was largely thanks to this campaign that it could afford to build the new SPCA shelter.

“We were able to raise money to build the shelter and address all of the outstanding needs that were in existence at the old shelter in terms of functionality and size and health issues for both the staff and the animals,” said McCullagh.

According to McCullagh, the old SPCA building, located on Exhibition Drive, was around 50 years old.

“The existing facility at the time was outdated, small and by all accounts inadequate,” McCullagh said. The shelter also dealt with several cross-contamination issues. “We were operating at full capacity all the time; it wasn’t functioning the way we needed it to, to ensure that the animals are cared for the best way possible.”

In August, the SPCA shelter was so full it held a “Dog Days of Summer” adoption blitz.

“We are adjusting our adoption fees by 20 per cent for all puppies and mature dogs; as usual the adoption fee includes the first set of vaccinations and a microchip,” said Debbie Lehner, former executive director for the SPCA.

No matter what challenges the SPCA staff faced at the old shelter, they always kept moving forward thanks to support from the community.

“It’s always very humbling when an individual or a business comes forward and wants to be a part of the new facility for our community,” said Lehner.

Several people stepped up to help the SPCA, which was voted Prince Albert’s best local charity and also the best place to find love.

SPCA received several donations

– Brent Mills and Bruce Morely with the Prince Albert Energy Doctor donated $5,000 to the SPCA;

– The “Charlie’s Angels” Ladies open golf tournament raised $10,366.50 towards the SPCA. Wendy Cartier from Mark’s Nine Golf and Country Club held the tournament in memory of her friend Charlene Welch.

-Fore for Pets Celebrity golf tournament on July 17. The annual event started in 2010 and has raised more than $373,600 for the SPCA’s New Leash on Life Campaign according to its website.

-Gary and Paulette Anderson donated $600,000 to the SPCA. The adoption gallery in the new facility has been named in their honour.

– There are several other donors and events such as the Walk for Paws, Halloween Howl and the upcoming New Year’s Eve fundraisers.

McCullagh said not only did people from around Prince Albert donate money and items to the shelter; they also gave a lot of their time.

“Our volunteer base is amazing, they help with day to day stuff,” McCullagh said volunteers were a vital part of “the move and getting things ready and the cleaning and everything else.”

Although the SPCA had the drive and the donations, it still encountered issues as the new building grew from the ground up.

New SPCA shelter construction faced delays

In August 2013, the shelter had it opening day pushed back to February 2014, due to running mechanical lines under the floors.

Then again in March 2014, the opening of the new SPCA location was delayed until at least the end of April or beginning of May.

After working through the setbacks, the shelter was officially opened on June 17 and the grand opening ceremony was held on July 26.

The new facility is located on North Industrial Drive, beside the Paw Print Inn and Central Bark off leash-park.

This shelter is almost four times bigger than the old facility, which means it can house around 40-50 dogs and 90 cats.

“Having a larger facility allows us to house more animals,” said McCullagh. “The new facility has the room to allow, a less like a shelter environment for the animals and more like a home environment.”

To read more of our top stories of 2014, click here.

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter: @KaylaBruch1

by Kayla Bruch

Top stories of 2014: SPCA opens new shelter

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