(Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

By Aaron Schulze

North East SPCA AGM Results

North East SPCA AGM: Harry and Eve Vickar Shelter opening gets the ball rolling

Mar 9, 2020 | 5:20 PM

For the North East SPCA, 2019 was defined by the opening of the Harry and Eve Vickar Shelter in Melfort in September.

It was the main highlight during the SPCA’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday, March 5 in Nipawin. With the shelter, the donations have come in higher doses.

“I think people now see that we’re open and there is a shelter,” North East SPCA Vice Chair Jessie Harper told northeastNOW. “We have generous people who come to the shelter and bring food, towels, litter, and everything that’s needed for the animals. It makes it easier to fundraise when you have a building that’s already open and running; people can see what their money is going towards.”

According to their treasurer’s report, the SPCA brought in $218,079 in total revenue, including nearly $133,000 in donations and grants, and $32,650 from fundraising.

While the revenue has grown, so have the expenses. The SPCA’s total expense amount reached $132,036.

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“We do have wages to pay and all of the food and everything the animals need – vaccinations, spays and neuters – before they’re adopted out. We do get money back when we adopt them out, but we still need that fundraising and support from the community as well,” Harper said.

A shelter manager and two kennel attendants (one full-time and one part-time) were hired in 2019, costing $37,950. Fundraising expenses reached just over $14,000 and veterinary products and services reached over $12,000.

The SPCA’s net income ended up being $86,042 in 2019, a number Harper hopes to maintain in the coming years. However, she admitted that 2020 will be a telling year for the SPCA in terms of fundraising with the animal shelter now open.

“We’ll be applying for [any grants available],” she said. “There are not a whole lot of grants for animal shelters. It is a struggle to find appropriate grants we can apply for. We’ll have to see what kind of grants become available and hope they are for animal shelters or something we can use.”

One key fundraiser planned for 2020 is the North East SPCA’s “Raise the Woof” comedy night on Oct. 3.

Counting by the paws – animals in the Harry and Eve Vickar Shelter as of the AGM

• Oct. 5 – started intake of animals with four kittens
• 94 – total number of intakes (64 surrendered by owner, 30 stray)
• 63 – total number of available animals
• 28 – total number of adoptions
• 2 – total number of animals euthanized
• 1 – total number of animal deaths in the shelter

Paws on deck

With 11 board members, three paid staff members, and multiple volunteers, Harper said the North East SPCA has enough hands to help the animals at the shelter.

“More hands the better,” she said. “If anybody would like to do any volunteering or help fundraise, they’re more than welcome to contact a board member or give the SPCA a phone call and [be directed] in the right place.

“We do have quite a few people who like to come into the shelter and volunteer there. They get a little interaction with the animals, but they also help do some cleaning… a little bit of the dirty work. We could always use more. If anybody would like to come, please do so.”

The North East SPCA’s next AGM is scheduled for March 2, 2020 in Melfort.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow