The Yarmouth Branch of the Nova Scotia SPCA is struggling financially and looking to the public for support in raising an additional $3,000 per month to keep the doors open.
To date this year, 446 animals have come to the Yarmouth shelter needing care and a new home. The branch is approaching previous donors, members, adopters and local companies and associations for support. Many fundraisers are underway, including calendar sales and pet pictures with Santa. The branch needs to balance the books by the New Year or the shelter operations may be suspended until adequate funds can be raised to open again.
“The Provincial Society has invested over $100,000 in cash to support operations in the last 18 months, but is no longer in the financial position to continue to provide operational funding, ” said executive director of the Nova Scotia SPCA Kristin Williams.
The branch has received support through its provincial transfer program, which helps to alleviate intake pressures at the branch. But, said Williams, “Additional funding will jeopardize the financial condition of the provincial society and provincial programs which help all branches and communities.”
Branch president Jason Curtis said they have taken measures to address the financial situation.
“We have brought all expenses into line, reduced staffing costs and capacity and made processes and procedures more efficient, however adoption revenues, animal control contracts and donations are not currently offsetting operational costs,” said Curtis.
The Yarmouth Branch animal shelter is only one of two Nova Scotia SPCA shelters west of Halifax. It was the first SPCA branch and was formed in 1900. The animal shelter was built in 1982-83 with an extension added in 1989 and renovations in 2006.
Officials at the SPCA are very concerned about the impact on the community should the shelter close and are looking to establish enough community support to assure long term financial viability for the branch, which serves the Town of and Municipality of Yarmouth, Argyle, Barrington and beyond.
To make a donation to the Yarmouth Branch, visit www.yarmouth.spcans.ca, call (902) 742-9767 or visit the shelter at 298 Hardscratch Road. The branch also promotes events on Facebook and its website.
