SPCA comes to the rescue

Melissa Parsons, a junior volunteer, holding Buster, one of the animals she cares for at the shelter.

Some animals are left homeless, lost, or abused. The lucky ones are rescued by the SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). The SPCA tries hare to give help to animals that need it. There are seven branches of the SPCA in the Province. They usually start from a small group of at least five people who want to help animals and see a need for the SPCA.

The SPCA is run by paid part-time workers and by volunteers. The workers and volunteers take care of the health and daily needs of animals at the shelter. They keep the place clean, and feed and care for the animals. They also have to make sure there are enough supplies to keep the shelter running. They help with fund raising. "It takes about $40,000 per year to run our animal shelter," said Jean Mercer, Exploits Valley SPCA president. "One fund raiser is the loonie line at the mall. Animals are taken to the mall and people who walk by donate to the SPCA."

Each year about 600 animals pass through the shelter at Grand Falls-Windsor. The Town Council pays for housing and care for animals picked up by the animal control officer. Homes are found for about twenty-five percent of the dogs and twenty percent of the cats at the shelter. Twice as many cats as dogs are always at the shelter.

SPCA peace officers check out reports of abuse to animals. They have the right to go on a person's property and investigate any sheds in backyards. They cannot enter a home to investigate a report of animal abuse. If the owner does not go along with the peace officer he/she will leave and get the police to take over. Sometimes the animals are taken from the owners and sometimes owners are given a chance to make changes.

"A lot of times people are not really bad. They will agree after you talk to them. Education is the way it should be," said Exploits Valley SPCA peace officer, Scott Keats.

Think carefully before getting a pet. Choose one that will get along with your family. Children are five years old before they can understand how to care for animals. Look at the space you have. A big dog needs a large backyard. A spotless housekeeper would not want to get a house pet. Think about the time it takes to look after your pet and the cost of feeding it. A pet has to visit the vet from time to time. This also costs money.

Ms. Mercer says that it is very important to get pets spayed or neutered. SPCA advises that females should be spayed at about five months old and males neutered at about eight months. Ask the vet for advice for the right time.

"The problem in most cases is not the animals," said Ms. Mercer. "It's the pet owners and the fact that they don't spay or neuter their pets. It is the reason there has to be a SPCA. There are so many homeless animals and in some cases people abuse and neglect them."

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