Delta Humane Society projects budget surplus
First year after split with SPCA
The Delta Humane Society is showing a budget surplus at the end of its first year of operation as the municipality’s new animal control agency.
An updated financial report covering the first 10 months of operation shows the society is on track to meet or beat the performance of the SPCA, which lost the animal shelter contract to the society last year.
The report presented to council Monday was a partial one because the society didn’t take over the animal shelter until two months into its fiscal year.
As of October of this year, the society was reporting year-to-date revenues of $285,614.88 against expenses of $257,641.50 for a surplus of $27,373.27.
“We were operating pretty lean this year, because we weren’t sure what would happen,” said Humane Society president Amber Cottle.
She said the surplus will be plowed back into the animal shelter, some of it in the form of bonuses for staff.
“Every year, the SPCA would go back to council to ask for more money.” Cottle said. “We’re not.”
Under its agreement with the municipality, the society will be getting an increase in its 2006 budget to cover inflation.
Controversy over an SPCA decision to euthanize a young Rottweiler-Labrador cross named “Cheech” for behavioural problems last year led to a review of the SPCA animal shelter contract by city council and the subsequent awarding of the contract to the newly formed Delta group.
The Delta Humane Society was awarded the three-year animal control contract on Oct. 18, receiving $225,000 per year from the municipality plus a portion of dog license fee revenues.
It took over Jan. 1.
Cheech, who was spirited away by an SPCA volunteer is reportedly doing well at an undisclosed location.
More information about needed items and donations can be found at http://www.deltahumanesociety.org/donations.htm
The society can be contacted at 604-940-7111 or email: deltahumanesociety@gmail.com.
Dan Ferguson, Staff Reporter
Surrey/North Delta Leader
Friday, October 28, 2005