When opportunity knocks

From www.novanewsnow.com

Shelter opening on SPCA’s horizon by Sara Keddy/Kings County Register

Marg Tracey,on the left, spotted Yucky on-line and knew he was the dog for her Nictaux home. Kings SPCA president Belle Darris got the two together at the soon-to-be-opened animal shelter in Waterville April 22. S.Keddy

“Momentum has shifted” in the Kings SPCA’s long-lasting efforts to establish and open the county’s first animal shelter.

The building itself was finished last year, but unable to open without the necessary furnishings and finances to staff and maintain hours.

“There’s lots of interest in the last six months,” says local president Belle Darris. She attributes that to getting the building open for single-day pet adoption drives, frequent fundraising and letting people know what needed to happen to get the building open.

“We put a list out, and it all just came from everywhere,” she says: a washer and dryer, hoses, chairs and tables, a microscope and stethoscope, grooming tables, blankets.... Membership has jumped to close to 300 people.

“And money is coming - I’ve had people come in and say, ‘I want to give a donation - what can I do?’”

Opening the shelter could happen as soon as the end of May, if all goes well after a closing date of May 8 to hire a shelter manager.

“This person is responsible for a large budget, the volunteer staff, the health and care of the animals - it’s got to be a people person.”

While that process unfolds, Darris says the SPCA is still looking for things: chain link fencing to build a dog run where animals can play together, patio stones for outdoor kennels, a shed for garbage and storage. Volunteers are lining up people interested in helping once the doors open.

“People want to come and volunteer to play with the animals, but an SPCA shelter is run totally different than other animal rescue groups. We need walls washed, cages disinfected every day. We have pets that are abused, sick, aggressive - or who were family pets and don’t understand what’s happening to them.”

The increase in support and interest is a “big boost” to SPCA volunteers, but Darris adds what the agency really needs is municipal and provincial governments to acknowledge animal control with sustainable funding. WEBLINKS kingsspca.com

Furry facts In 2008

• the Kings SPCA cared for 95 cats in its foster program, placing 52 in new homes. Six dogs were also in care.
• the SPCA helped families spay or neuter 344 cats and 37 dogs in 2008.
• a Junior SPCA and a trap, neuter and return (TNR) program are among future plans.

Anyone who follows this blog, or the old one, is familiar with the frustration of Kings County residents about the empty white elephant that was the Kings Branch SPCA shelter. Kings County is not 'dripping' with other rescue options ..... outside of the privately run Valley Animal Shelter and a couple of TNR groups, there really haven't been any other options, especially for dogs.

In the interests of moving ahead, I am going to take a quantum leap and assume that the new president was either misquoted or quoted out of context when she said that 'an SPCA shelter is different than other animal rescue groups. We need walls washed, cages disinfected every day. We have pets that are abused, sick, aggressive - or who were family pets and don’t understand what’s happening to them.”

Regular readers know how impressed this middle aged granny has been by the immaculate condition of the The Cat Cottages at CAPS . There are no leprechauns there .... volunteers spend hours everyday doing what Anna so sweetly refers to as "chores" When I went to S.H.A.I.D to adopt my Morgan a couple of years ago, everything was top drawer there too. Everyone still remembers how ARC saved HANDSOME HENRY , but outside of the rescue world, many people do not realize how many abused and ill treated pets that ARC have rescued and rehabilitated. I could spend half the morning going on about examples of what has been done by "other animal rescue groups" (In the interests of moving ahead, the inadequate hygiene protocols at the Cape Breton SPCA ... with paid employees... will be a topic shelved for another day.)

I am hoping that what was meant to be said was that the new shelter needs committed volunteers who are willing to clean .... which can be trickier to find than those who are willing to cat cuddle and walk the dogs. Yes ... they are hiring a shelter manager.... but that is a big job in itself. Without volunteers to staff and clean the shelter, it will not be able to open.

It needs to be remembered that the old board waiting for funding for paid staff from the provincial government was the reason the beautiful new building has sat empty instead of fulfilling its mandate.

So I'm going to take the high road on this and assume this was a misquote because at least these folks are trying to move ahead. The fact that the Kings Branch is pursuing county funding for TNR is a breathtaking change of pace and promises better things ahead for the animals .... if they can get the help that they need.

If you are a resident of Kings County and want to lend the support of your voice to the Kings Branch Click Here to send a message to all Councillors . If you are a resident of Nova Scotia and wish to let your MLA know how you feel, click here for contact info for Members - Constituencies . If you wish to let the Hon Mark Parent know that this issue is important to you as a voter, the appropriate contact email is min_dag@gov.ns.ca.

What time is it? With a minority government desperate to avoid an election ... it is splendid opportunity to speak up for the animals.