By Andrew de Souza

SPCA wants fair share for services

Nov 23, 2010 | 5:20 AM

The Prince Albert SPCA wants the city to triple its funding in order to better reflect the level of service the organization provides.

At Monday’s council meeting, members of the SPCA lead by board president Joleen McCullagh requested the city change from a grant-based funding scheme to a fee-for-service scheme and thereby increase funding from approximately $80,000 to more than $222,000.

McCullagh said the extra money would cover the cost of services the SPCA has to perform. She said the SPCA takes in about 1,000 animals each year in its role as the city pound keeper, of which bylaw officers bring 90 per cent. As well, she said, the SPCA provides animal protection services to combat animal cruelty.

McCullagh said these services cost significantly more than what the city provides and it forces the organization to rely on fundraising to operate.

In a report provided by the SPCA to the city, the organization reported its 2009 income as $53,207 — dog adoption fees make up half.

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Meanwhile, the SPCA counted approximately $275,000 of expenses. The biggest expense is employee salaries at $163,000, or 60 per cent.

“We feel that it’s justifiable based upon the expenses and revenues collected,” she said.

“To date the SPCA has had to rely heavily on donations and fundraising initiatives in order to maintain the operations at the shelter.”

After McCullagh’s report there were mixed reactions from council members.

Some pointed out that the SPCA required so much money, the city would have to up the tax rate to cover it.

“What does that mean to our mill rate? That’s a one per cent increase across the board—that’s huge,” said Coun. Martin Ring. “What happens if we come to budget time and we can’t fund them?”

On the opposite side of the debate was the idea that the SPCA obviously needed funding and should have had a much higher grant for many years in the past.

“The idea of giving them small amounts … that has gone on in the past — well we’re reaping those benefits now,” said Coun. Lee Atkinson. “And I think we’re going to have to come up with a solution that is about realistic funding for realistic expectations.”

In the end, council voted to send the issue to the city’s finance department to determine its feasibility for inclusion in the 2011 city budget.

adesouza@panow.com