SPCA unveils grand plan for shelter

By Don Descoteau
Victoria News

Working with the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on noise control issues has been trying at times for Mayor Alan Lowe.
Nonetheless, he sees a $3 million, four-phase proposal by the organization to upgrade its main shelter on Napier Lane in Victoria - a project that includes court-mandated noise abatement measures - as a step in the right direction.

"It's a working relationship that we're starting with them and I'm very pleased that they are actually looking at the noise abatement that we agreed to in court," Lowe said. "They're moving forward with what was requested of them."

Phase 1 of the plan, estimated to cost about $400,000, is aimed at stemming the flow of neighbour complaints about the noise made by barking dogs.

BC SPCA board chair and president Mary Lou Troman and CEO Craig Daniel asked Thursday for a $35,000 annual property tax exemption on the Napier Lane land. They also hit up the city for a donation to kick off their community fundraising campaign to pay for the major project.
Troman indicated the board's commitment to complete Phase 1 hinged upon getting the tax exemption and securing a mortgage on the SPCA property, which it owns outright.

"The board of directors has committed to the $400,000 investment in solving the noise issue," she said. "We're absolutely going to do that regardless of the community commitment."

Troman said Phases 2 through 4, which call for more detailed renovations, do hinge upon community contributions.

The city's chief bylaw enforcement officer, Dan Scoones said noise complaints about the shelter have dropped off.

"One is that things have improved substantially- the other could be that complainants know there is a solution pending and they're less likely to call," he said.

Troman said about $150,000 has already been spent on the plans to date, including roughly $75,000 for installing interim sound proofing measures such as sound absorption panels, window glazing, skylights and a heat exchange system for the kennels. The rest was spent on architectural plans and a capital campaign feasibility study. Lowe said the city will keep close watch on the work to make sure the SPCA complies with the court order. He said it was likely council would approve the tax exemption this week.

Among the interim measures called for in the court-mandated agreement that the SPCA said it has complied with are:
* closing the kennels facing Cecelia Ravine;
* installing of soundproofing for Burnside Road kennel;
* appointment of dog management coordinator;
* dedicated phone line and written log for noise complaints;
* ongoing monitoring and rotation of dogs that frequently bark; and
* development of staff policy on barking dogs.
While the feasibility study recommended beginning the public campaign in 2006, earmarking potential donors has already begun. Troman admitted it was important for the SPCA to make the commitment to the consent order actions to prove to the community that it is serious about making changes at the shelter.

"We've got a lot of years of saying 'yeah, we'll do something and not doing it to sort of compensate for," Troman said. "We're hoping that the community will listen and we intend to communicate with them."

She also admitted there has been confusion over where local donations actually go, given the society's centralized operations now based in Vancouver. She said part of the campaign will involve clarifying that issue for people who might be looking at donating funds specifically for the renovation of the Victoria shelter.

Troman made a sales pitch to the city after outlining the plans, asking councillors to approve a grant to the BC SPCA to help kick off its capital campaign.

To even consider such an idea, said Lowe, city councillors would first demand to look at the organizations' audited financial statements, an issue also brought up by Coun. Denise Savoie.

Councillors heard the Victoria branch of the BC SPCA, which operates the shelters at Napier Lane and the Wild Animal Rescue Centre in Metchosin, has an operating deficit of $500,000 for 2004. Troman assured councillors the branch will operate with a balanced budget for 2005.