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SPCA draws big crowd for grand opening More than $25,000 raised with the prize raffle
Candace Thomson
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, July 31, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Hours of hard work and dedication were celebrated on Saturday when the NWT SPCA held its official opening ceremony.
Mayor Mark Heyck and NWT SPCA president Nicole Spencer cheer after cutting the ribbon at the shelter's opening ceremony on Saturday. - Candace Thomson/NNSL photo |
More than 100 people visited the shelter, some with dogs they'd adopted from the very spot, to show their support and pride in the nearly completed project.
"Since day one, we have had 350 dogs and 40 cats that walked through, or were carried through, these doors," said NWT SPCA president Nicole Spencer.
The project for the $800,000 shelter began three years ago with a $300,000 donation from the Aviva Community Fund, which Spencer thanked during her address. The rest of the money came from donations and support from the community, and a small portion from government grants.
The shelter started accepting dogs and cats from Yellowknife and other Northern communities in October.
It is currently at capacity and cannot accept any more animals. The overcrowding is partially due to a stem of the flow of dogs moving to southern shelters because of flooding in Alberta. Normally, the shelter would send a good number of dogs south across a network of shelters where it keeps track of the animals' health and adoption statuses.
Low adoption rates, during the summer, are exacerbating the population problems at the shelter.
Mayor Mark Heyck arrived at the shelter with his terrier cross Leo, which he adopted from the shelter a year ago. He cut the ribbon to announce the shelter officially open.
"What the SPCA does is a remarkable accomplishment," said Heyck. "The opening is a testament to the hard work of the volunteers."
Despite the cause for celebration, there is still a lot of work to be done in the shelter, according to Spencer.
There are seven remaining dog beds in need of sponsorship - $10,000 each - and cat condos for $5,000. Three of the six dog bays need to be completed and the volunteers want to fashion a maternity ward where mother dogs and their pups are presently housed.
In recent months, construction was completed on an exam room for visiting veterinarians to give vaccinations, and two sheds outside for storage.
"The shelter will continue to grow with the ongoing support of our membership, individual generosity and the generosity of the community," said Spencer.
The event on Saturday included tours of the shelter, a chance to meet the animals, food, and a raffle for three prizes.
Judy Cozzetto was the winner of a $15,000 1.51 karat diamond from Diavik Diamond mines and Crossworks Manufacturing; Brad Demone won a new Peg Malibu 320i motorcycle from Trails End Harley Davidson; and Al Mercereau won a trip for two anywhere in the western region First Air flys.
The raffle was the most successful fundraiser the organization has had to date, said director of events Michelle Rees. After advertising and prize costs, more than $25,000 was raised for the shelter.
Rees said the shelter will be holding an annual raffle.
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