No more shelter does not mean no more commitment to Greater Vernon animals.
BC SPCA senior director of community animal centres Adrienne McBride was slated to make a community service update to Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) board directors Wednesday, Dec. 20, at their regular meeting.
The RDNO owns the property and building on Old Kamloops Road that housed the local animal shelter, which closed its doors permanently in November.
鈥淏y closing the Vernon centre, resources are freed up to invest in programs to better support quality of life for a larger number of vulnerable animals in the community,鈥� said McBride in her report. 鈥淲e are committed to continuing to support animals and people in this community.鈥�
The shelter was shut down Nov. 17 after a structural engineers鈥� report revealed new concerns causing the building鈥檚 roof to sag. That led to concerns about snow load.
Without repairs to the roof, the BC SPCA said it would be 鈥渦nsafe and irresponsible to continue operating from this building.鈥�
RDNO staff said in November they knew the building was in trouble, but only found out about the planned closure on Nov. 14, three days before shut down, and 24 hours ahead of the monthly directors鈥� meeting.
McBride also reported there had been a significant decrease in overall animal intake, from 591 animals in 2018, to 202 in 2022.
She said animal protection, humane education, pet food bank partnerships, emergency support, volunteer foster homes and emergency boarding will continue.
New services in Vernon, said McBride, include a community service coordinator liaising with community animal centres, pet food bank partners, foster homes, veterinarians, volunteers, community members,and local governments.
鈥淭here will be increased foster care and vet partnerships,鈥� said McBride.鈥漌e will focus on keeping people and pets together.鈥�
McBride said future options for Vernon and area could include conducting community microchip clinics in conjunction with the BC Pet Registry; increased support for the pet food bank and supplies, low-cost spay/neuter assistance, public engagement and education and adoption of unclaimed stray dogs.
The role of the BC SPCA is to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farmed and wild animals in the province.
The organization helped nearly 119,000 animals through direct care and community programs in 2022. It operates 40 facilities, employs 600 staff and engages more than 3,000 volunteers.
