Growls over SPCA fundraiser
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, December 5, 2016
HAY RIVER
A Facebook storm has erupted over a collection of funds – a so-called round-up of payments at a grocery store – for the Hay River SPCA.
Heather Foubert says the money raised at Super A grocery store was not for a spay and neuter program. |
Many people apparently thought the money being raised from May 2 to June 2 was to be used for a spay and neuter program then being offered by the SPCA, and many people are angry the program no longer exists.
Since the money was raised, the Town of Hay River and the SPCA have parted ways, and the society is no longer involved in operating the Hay River Animal Shelter.
One Facebook commenter accused the SPCA of misleading people with the fundraising and demanded the collected money be given to the Town of Hay River to administer a spay and neuter program.
Others objected to the money just being held and not being used to help animals.
Many demanded more information from the SPCA on what it planned to do with the money.
And another worried about the damage the controversy is doing to the SPCA and its future in the community.
However, Heather Foubert, president of Hay River SPCA, said it is just a misunderstanding.
She said the money raised at Super A grocery store – just under $11,000 – was not for a spay and neuter program.
"When we did the breakup with the town, it was made very clear to us that the SPCA was not to interfere with the new shelter, and we have respected that request," said Foubert, adding the SPCA didn't know until recently if the town offered a spay and neuter program.
"What a lot of people are complaining about is that they said funds that were raised for the shelter were supposed to go for the spay or neuter program, and that's not what it's being used for," she said.
"Well, basically it's not being used for anything right now, and it is being held in trust. We were hoping to start our own shelter and provide more services. That was even before the town took it over we had plans to do that."
Mayor Brad Mapes said a spay and neuter program is currently not being offered at the Hay River Animal Shelter.
The SPCA's involvement at the animal shelter ended on Sept. 1.
