Editor’s note: A previous version of the article stated calendars for one fundraiser go on sale in July. The calendars actually go on sale in April, May, and June with daily cash draws in July.
The North East SPCA (NESPCA) is asking for the community’s help with vet bills and volunteering.
Over the past six months, the shelter has taken in a large number of cats and dogs. With the shelter experiencing an influx of new animals and having limited fundraising opportunities due to COVID-19, the organization is asking the public to consider donating funds or their time.
Pat Shiels, chairperson for the NESPCA, told northeastNOW the situation is becoming dire due to several factors.
“With the lack of the ability to put on large fundraisers, due to restrictions on social events, and extreme weather for outdoor events, our operating funds have become severely depleted,” Shiels added. “We’ve also had trouble getting volunteers, the numbers have kept dropping since the beginning of COVID.”
Without additional funding, the shelter will not be able to run at the capacity it has been.
With costs already cut down to the bare minimum, the shelter is experiencing labour shortages. The only paid employees at the shelter are the manager and one full-time kennel worker.
Sheils explains that the organization is extremely grateful for the communities support with food donations. The shelter is currently experiencing a high need for funding due to medical expenses.
“Vet fees are one of our biggest expenses. We spend up to $300 on each animal, and then you can’t adopt them for that amount.”
Before adopting cats and dogs, the shelter provides a spay or neuter and up-to-date vaccinations. For kittens and puppies unable to be spayed or neutered at the time of adoption, the SPCA provides up to a $125 credit toward the service included in the adoption fee.
The shelter also provides treatment such as deworming, ear mite removal and other necessary procedures for all adoptable animals.
For the shelter to remain open for one month, the cost is $13,000. The shelter is stressing the importance of donations during this difficult time to allow them to continue to help animals in the community.
NESPCA have been planning various events for those wanting to donate including:
- An online auction from March 30 to April 6: Members of the community will be able to bid on items with all proceeds going towards the shelter.
- The Big Thaw: The shelter will be putting a bobber into the ice, once the bobber surfaces those who guess the correct day will be entered into a raffle. The winner of the draw will get their choice of three different prizes. The event is set to run from March 1 to 31.
- Annual Cash Calendar: Calendars go on sale starting in April and will wrap up on June 25. Daily cash draws are made in July.
- Cages for Critters in June: Surprise guests in the community will have to raise money for the NESPCA or face spending the night in a kennel.
All events listed above are in need of volunteers. Sheils explained anyone volunteering their time will be joining a team of passionate people who could use a little bit of extra help.
“We need volunteers to help out with the fundraising because the volunteers that we have are so good, they’re so dedicated. We’re just all getting tired.”
Those wanting to donate their time or funds to the shelter can visit the North East SPCA website to find donation and volunteer forms.
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Rachel.May@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter: @RachelMayFM
