Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 09/01) - Cats in January, dogs in March, lizards, turtles, snakes and horses scattered through the seasons -- the SPCA's limited edition 2002 calendar is hitting the streets tomorrow.

With only 1,000 copies going at $10 a pop, wise pet lovers will no doubt scramble to snatch a copy of the now famous calendar.

Next year's calendar features 290 photos of pets ranging from dogs to chickens to hamsters.

Janet Pacey, SPCA calender co-ordinator, and other volunteers spent 210 hours putting the calendar together.

"It's a lot of work. You get sick of looking at the photos after a while," said Pacey, 32.

"You sit there for a good two weeks putting it together. After a while you don't see the photos any more."

Pacey said the long hours melted away when she saw the final copy.

"It's like, 'oh, wow,'" said Pacey.

"It's nice to have the final finished product because so much work is involved."

Printed at Artisan Press, the calender sold 970 copies last year making $9,700 for the SPCA.

All proceeds go the organization.

Pacey said donations fund the organization.

There are those in the city who think the SPCA needs all the support they can get.

Gilly McNaughton, adoption co-ordinator with the Great Slave Animal Hospital, said the SPCA needs more authority to monitor animal abuse.

"The SPCA here doesn't have enough power to do enough, they need more people, more information for themselves," said McNaugh-ton. "They do contribute greatly."

McNaughton said the SPCA foots 20 per cent of spaying and neutering surgery bills for recently adopted animals.

McNaughton said when it comes to investigating neglect or abuse the group does not have enough authority.

Calendars will be on sale at the Yellowknife Book Cellar, Jan's Cards and Gifts, Gallery of the Midnight Sun, JJ Hobbies, Borealis Kennels, Great Slave Animal Hospital, Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op, Artisan Press and Northern Fancy Meats.