BC SPCA announces plans for low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Prince George
February 25, 2005. For immediate release.

The BC SPCA today announced a major initiative to save thousands of animal lives in northern British Columbia.

"We are extremely delighted to announce plans for a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Prince George," said Mary Lou Troman, president of the BC SPCA. "The lack of spay/neuter services has been a major factor in the suffering of thousands of abandoned and unwanted animals each year in Prince George," she said. "We believe this new clinic will dramatically reduce the problem of pet overpopulation in the region."

Once it is fully operational, the new clinic will be able to carry out more than 4,000 spay/neuter operations per year. Dr. Jamie Lawson, Chief Animal Health Officer for the BC SPCA, says the SPCA's first priority will be to ensure that every animal adopted from its Prince George shelter is sterilized. "In addition to the animals in our care, we will also be providing reduced and, in some cases, no-cost, spay/neuter services for the public and will be helping First Nations communities to deal with pet overpopulation issues," he said.

The SPCA has received a $50,000 grant from the Vancouver Foundation to support the Prince George initiative. "We are deeply grateful to the Vancouver Foundation for their support of this project," said Mary Lou Troman. She noted that half of the grant will be used to help offset the $270,00 capital cost of establishing the clinic and the other $25,000 will be used for spay/neuter education initiatives with First Nations communities over the next five years.

The North Cariboo Branch of the BC SPCA is the busiest of the Society's 37 shelters, taking in more than 4,500 abandoned, abused, injured and surrendered animals each year. Until now, it has been cost-prohibitive for the SPCA to spay and neuter most of the animals leaving the Prince George shelter. Troman said the new SPCA clinic, located at 1909 Queensway Street in the Fort George area of Prince George, will begin operating on SPCA shelter animals in July and will open to the public in the fall of 2005. The clinic will operate with one full-time veterinarian, two animal health technicians, a receptionist/bookkeeper and a part-time student to assist with kennel cleaning and upkeep.

The new Prince George clinic is only the second SPCA facility of its kind in BC. The first SPCA clinic - located adjacent to the Vancouver SPCA shelter - was opened in the 1970s to help deal with the overwhelming pet overpopulation in the Lower Mainland.

"The Vancouver clinic was enormously successful in reducing the number of unwanted animals and we believe we can achieve the same success here in Prince George," said Troman. "It is always a challenge to fund these initiatives through community donations, but addressing the needs of animals in the north is a priority for the Society. It is important for us to make this investment, not only to improve the welfare of animals, but to promote responsible pet ownership."

Troman emphasized that the clinic will need strong community support through individual and corporate donations in order to achieve it goals. To make a donation, please visit www.spca.bc.ca or call 1-800-665-1868.

"We also believe this clinic provides a significant naming opportunity for an individual or corporation who wishes to leave a legacy for the animals through sponsorship of the clinic," said Troman. For more information about naming sponsorships, please contact Simon Trevelyan or Craig Daniell at 1-800-665-1868.

Further information:
Lorie Chortyk, Community Relations Manager, BC SPCA:
(604) 647-1316, 1-800-665-1868, or 830-7179 (cell);
Mary Lou Troman: (250) 354-9116 (cell);
Dr. Jamie Lawson: (604) 323-6632 (cell);