NWT SPCA ‘struggling to stay afloat’ as economy shifts

The Yellowknife-based animal shelter serving the NWT says donations and adoptions are down, funding is running low and “if something doesn’t change, we may not be here much longer.”

The NWT SPCA says with Yellowknife low on active veterinarians and residents facing harder times, more people are finding it hard to take on new pets – or keep their existing animals.

Executive director Nicole Spencer told Cabin Radio: “We really rely on donations and our bank account is dwindling. We can only survive or operate for so long unless money comes in – if money is not coming in, then we can’t operate.”

Spencer is calling on residents to write to their MLA and push for the territorial government to supply core funding to the organization.

Over the years, core funding has been brought up in the legislature on multiple occasions but without the GNWT moving on the issue.

In 2019, for example, the territory said helping the shelter was “also the responsibility of our community governments, our municipal governments” and it had no funding programs that would fit.

The shelter argues it deserves core funding because it provides services, ranging from spay-neuter programs to finding dogs new homes, that directly serve and benefit many communities, not just Yellowknife.

In an email this week, Spencer wrote: “Every animal that comes through our doors has a story and our team works tirelessly to make sure that story ends with hope. But lately, it’s getting harder to keep that hope alive.

“There are more unwanted animals than ever before. Families are struggling to feed pets, injured and sick pets are severely limited in vet care available, and many communities across the North do not have access to veterinary care at all. That lack of service means more unplanned litters and preventable suffering.

“Our shelter is full. Our team is exhausted. The truth is, if something doesn’t change, we may not be here much longer. We need help – not just from the public, but from all levels of government.”

Asked to put a figure on the level of need, Spencer said the NWT SPCA needs a $150,000 cash injection to stabilize its situation.

Previously, the organization had a healthy bank account, she added. Lately, as donations drop – “I think it’s the economic situation,” she said – that hasn’t been the case.

“We have 11 people and we pay them because it’s hard work, and there’s medical services for the animals, vaccines, spay-neuters, heat, light, everything that’s involved in running a building,” Spencer said.

“We need significant resources to pay for all of that. If we don’t [have those resources] then we have to stop taking in animals. We may have to lay off some people. We may have to shut down. I don’t know, but it’s worrying.”

The NWT SPCA is the territory’s second animal shelter in a week to suggest closure is not out of the question.

Last week, Fort Smith’s shelter told the CBC its volunteer-run facility is out of space, low on funds and dealing with burnout.

“All animal rescues struggle,” said Spencer, who is hoping the number of monthly donors to the shelter increases.

“The bigger cities seem to get funding from their towns or their city government. I would really appreciate if residents could contact their MLA and say how important the SPCA’s services are, and maybe then some changes can be made,” she said.

“It’s definitely it’s a community effort. Everybody needs to come together to help the animals of the North.”