SPCA calls for more support from public

Leanne Ritchie
The Prince Rupert Daily News
June 10, 2005

The B.C. SPCA has no intention of abandoning Prince Rupert, its last presence in the Northwestern region of B.C., however it does need to look at ways to get more community support.

Around 30 people attended a meeting with the B.C. SPCA last night to discuss ways to involve more people and deal with volunteer burn-out.

Mary Lou Troman, volunteer president for the B.C. SPCA, explained the organization has had some financial challenges in the past several years -- running deficits in the three and four million dollar range.

While they've managed to make a $3 million improvement in 2004, the society is looking at ways to rebuild its reserves.

"When the 2005 budget was presented to the directors, it was recognized we are still going the wrong way," she said.

The BC SPCA then decided to come up with a strategic plan and 98 recommendations on which to move forward, one of which deals with six shelters around the province, including Prince Rupert, where they need to focus on bringing in more volunteer help and financial donations.

"We don't want to close the Prince Rupert SPCA. During the strategic planning sessions, the executive committee was very emotional about this area," she said. "If we leave Prince Rupert, we won't have a presence in the Northwest. We need to increase our presence here in terms of cruelty investigations. We need to be here. The animals need our help."

Last year, the Prince Rupert SPCA received $80,000 in financial support from the province-wide organization, while bringing in about $100,000 through fundraising, services provided to the community and its contract with the city. While the B.C. SPCA doesn't expect the branch to break even, it'd like to focus on garnering more support.

"When we talk about a deficit, it means Prince Rupert is being supported by other communities," she said. "And that's fine but the issue is the $80,000 level is unsustainable.

"We need to encourage revenue growth and we need to look at ways to connect with the community."

While there was some discussion around the decision to amalgamate all B.C. SPCA branches under one organization, Troman tried to keep the discussion focused on community-based solutions.

One suggestion included trying to carry the message to the community that when local people make a donation to the B.C. SPCA, the money comes back to the Prince Rupert shelter.

Another was to work with other professionals like RCMP, teachers and health care workers to strengthen the network in all North Coast communities. Education was considered key for the region, as some communities are unaware what services the branch provides.

"If we can get the message out of what the SPCA does, we can get more support," suggested one person. "This is the most generous community I've ever lived in in my life."

There was also some discussion about lobbying the provincial government, which currently gives much less than other provinces to the SPCA to fulfill its legislated prevention of cruelty to animals mandate.

In addition, building connections with transportation providers might help move some animals out of the area and into the Lower Mainland where there is a demand for pets.

They also recognized last night, the first night of Seafest, was not a good night to hold the meeting and another will be held in two months to hold further community discussions.