SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Two six-year-old girls are more than happy to go without Christmas presents this year so their family can pitch in on a pledge to donate money toward building an animal shelter.

Carine Pattin holds up a treat for Charlie, her dancing dog, on Friday in front of her business, Arctic Farmer Inc. The company pitched in with 17 others, and three individuals, to contribute money for every vote toward the NWT SPCA shelter that was cast between 10 p.m. Monday and 10 p.m. Tuesday. - Tim Edwards/NNSL photo Business help for SPCA SSI Micro Quality Furniture Independent ElectricalServices Accounting Plus FSC Architects Overlander Sports Ace Enterprises Coldwell Banker Konge Construction Polar Bobcat Zapped Electric ECA Construction Adam Dental Clinic Arctic Janitorial Arctic Green Energy CasCom Remote Communications Arctic Farmer Home Building Centre

The family - who did not want to be identified - were among 18 businesses, two Yellowknife residents and one Whitehorse, Yukon, resident who chipped in cash toward every vote entered between 10 p.m. Monday and 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13 to 14 toward the proposed NWT SPCA animal shelter that was battling it out among 29 other nationwide contestants for up to $500,000 in the Aviva Community Fund contest.

There were 6,135 votes entered during that time, adding up to a total of $11,239 donated by the aforementioned parties.

Some 43,021 votes were cast for the animal shelter, which finished in second place in the $100,000 to $500,000 category, and is now among eight contestants in the finals. It's up to a panel of judges to decide a winner, which will be announced by Aviva Jan. 25.

The amount paid by each party, which wasn't disclosed, varied. Some of the companies had to set a top amount they'd pay, according to Wade Friesen, co-organizer of the NWT SPCA shelter committee.

"Some of them we put caps on," said Friesen. "Our intention wasn't to break their bank accounts."

Independent Electrical Services Ltd. was one of the first businesses to sign on, and co-owner Shirley Coumont, who's operated the company for 18 years, said taking part was a no-brainer.

"Although I am allergic to dogs and cats, I do love animals and I think there is a need in the territories (for a shelter)," said Coumont.

The cause struck home for another business that signed on - Arctic Farmer - as it cares for a stable of chickens, goats, and other animals, and some customers might be familiar with the owner's pet dog Charlie, who can be seen from time to time running around the business greeting customers.

"It's always sad to see animals abandoned or not taken care of," said Carine Pattin, co-owner of Arctic Farmer.

Nicole Spencer, president of the NWT SPCA, said she's wowed by all the community support the shelter has received and expects it will not only continue with money, but perhaps in donations of time and labour to go toward the estimated $500,000 in costs to raise the building.

"I believe there's several companies who would be definitely willing to help us out with different aspects - whether it's fencing or tools or whatever," said Spencer.

As well, she said the SPCA is going to petition the city and territorial government to see if it can get a grant to support one staff member to work 30 hours a week, who would live on-site, in a small apartment.

The SPCA is also looking to lease a corner lot on Coronation Drive in Kam Lake as the future home for the shelter.

To keep it running, the shelter will rely on volunteer support, which Spencer said she thinks won't be a problem given the community's reception to the fundraising drive. There is also a plan to ask businesses if they want to sponsor one of the 30 dog and 15 cat kennels.

"If we can get companies to yearly give, say, $2,000 ... for a kennel, then we can put the company name above the kennel," said Spencer.

She believes the SPCA can build on the momentum right now and keep the idea alive, whatever the outcome of the contest.

"The message is out there now more than ever ... that this is really, really important," she said.

"Now that we've got this exposure, people are actually hearing all the horror stories about, you know, the neglect and the abuse that's such a huge problem."

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