By James Bowler

SPCA seeks tax exemption on commercial and facility lots

Dec 11, 2014 | 5:29 AM

The Prince Albert SPCA is looking for tax relief on two of their lots in the city to help bring down costs when it comes to running the facility.

Board president Joleen McCullagh outlined in a report submitted to council that despite running a successful commercial side business in The Paw Print Inn and running fundraisers to bring in money, the organization still has difficulty with costs to run the facility.

“Despite the tireless efforts of the SPCA to generate revenue and maintain independence, it nevertheless struggles to meet all of its significant expenses,” stated McCullagh.

Originally McCullagh was looking for an exemption on the property lot for the Paw Print Inn, as well.

This is one of the points Mayor Greg Dionne took issue with.

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“The profits from that go to the operations of the SPCA, and so their asking us for tax relief there,” said Dionne. “We just have a policy on commercial we don’t give tax relief like that.”

However, McCullagh believed the Paw Print Inn should be eligible for exemption despite this policy.

Speaking to council members on Monday night, McCullagh pointed out charitable businesses are often afforded tax relief on their properties in the city.

“The SPCA sees themselves very much like the other charitable organizations in Prince Albert that receive tax exemption, being KIN Enterprises, SHARE and Habitat for Humanity who all have commercial enterprises to support themselves,” said McCullagh. “So we see ourselves as similar to those aspects that it’s simply a business we have in place to cover our overhead.”

She added the Paw Print Inn has been a significant source of revenue to help cover construction and mortgage costs generated by the construction of the new facility.

“The SPCA has significant overhead and operational expenses, and the Paw Print Inn is just one of the various aspects that we use to support those operations,” she said. “In particular we have a very large construction mortgage as a result of the new shelter being built, and the Paw Print Inn funds are being used to pay for that mortgage.”

One other issue brought up at council was the SPCA will often take in animals from rural municipalities and communities outside of the city, which would reflect on the cost of running the facility.

McCullagh responded by noting they do have a policy on animals housed from out of town.

“We have entered into an agreement with some of the rural municipalities to receive a fee for service for dogs brought in by them or from there area,” said McCullagh. “Once the 72-hour waiting period is over they pay the SPCA $100 a dog if the animal stays there.”

Following the meeting McCullagh said council seems willing to provide tax exemption for the two non-commercial properties and are willing to negotiate fees for service in lieu of providing tax exemption for the property lot the Paw Print Inn stands on.

“We’ve decided to instead have a meeting to discuss the agreement between the City and the SPCA regarding their fee for service and discuss perhaps increasing the fee that’s paid,” said McCullagh. “The SPCA acts as a city pound, so we’re providing the city a service and the city pays us for that service.”

McCullagh said the SPCA will also continue to rely on future events for donations from the public to assist in costs of running the facility itself.

Raise the Woof is the next event coming up this New Year’s Eve, featuring a team of comedians who tour both Canada and the United States helping raise money for animal shelters.

With files from paNOW reporter Thia James.

jbowler@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow