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HAY RIVER - Hay River may soon be getting an animal shelter.

The Hay River Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) wants to take over the town's dog pound and turn it into an animal shelter.

Hay River SPCA president Karla Carter says members of the organization are excited about potentially getting an animal shelter. - NNSL file photo

An SPCA delegation outlined the proposal to the May 25 meeting of council.

"It can be a win-win," SPCA president Karla Carter told council.

"This is a really exciting opportunity for us to potentially do this," she said.

The details of the arrangement have still to be worked out, but the idea is that the SPCA would lease the existing pound from the municipality for $1 a year, expand the facility and make numerous improvements to turn it into a shelter, run the operation and be responsible for all animal care.

The Town of Hay River would still bring loose dogs to the shelter, as it now does with the pound, but the municipality would not be responsible for the care of the animals.

Under the proposal, the town would continue to pay for repairs, maintenance and utilities, and would largely fund a part-time shelter manager, who would work for the SPCA.

The approximately 25 members of the SPCA would assist with animal care on weekends and holidays, and do fundraising.

The SPCA also has a building which it would move to the pound to serve as the shelter's office and house cats.

Currently, the SPCA operates without a shelter and most of the animals in its care are looked after in foster homes. Last week, there were three dogs in foster care, but there have been as many as 12 in the past.

Carter said a shelter would assist in adopting out animals and offering public education.

The proposal was very well-received by council members, who took the usually step of applauding the SPCA delegation after its May 25 presentation.

Coun. Ken Latour congratulated the SPCA for doing a "fantastic" job in preparing its proposal.

"It speaks a lot to your dedication," Latour said. The SPCA was pleased with the reception from council, Carter said. "We were absolutely thrilled."

Later last week, Mayor Jean-Marc Miltenberger called the SPCA proposal a huge opportunity for the town.

"It's something that benefits us all collectively," he said, noting negotiations are ongoing with the SPCA.

"We're looking to have something in place by the fall," the mayor added.

Carter said the proposed arrangement gives the SPCA a head start towards an animal shelter.

"It's not our own property, but it's an excellent property," she said.

Carter noted SPCA fundraising would still have years to go before enough could be raised to build a shelter.

About $40,000 has so far been collected, but a basic shelter would cost an estimated $175,000, not including the cost of the land, she said. "So it was a long ways away."