The SPCA is holding a public meeting next month to get the community up to speed on ongoing talks between the city and BC SPCA to bring the society back to Campbell River.
The meeting takes place June 13 at 7 p.m. in the old Movie Gallery building in Merecroft Village.
Craig Daniell, chief executive officer of the BC SPCA, promised SPCA supporters in early April that a public forum would be upcoming to discuss the society’s future in Campbell River after it pulled its local operations over the Easter weekend.
“Once we received a response from mayor and council regarding their decision and willingness to work with the SPCA, we plan to hold a public meeting…to discuss our future plans and to seek input from the community,” Daniell said after the SPCA sent a letter to the city asking council to reconsider the SPCA’s offer to provide full animal sheltering services.”
Helen Kwong, veterinarian at the Merecroft Veterinary Clinic, is urging all SPCA supporters to attend the meeting.
“Bring your friends, your family, your neighbours, your questions. Bring your own chairs,” Kwong said. “Craig Daniell from the BC SPCA will be there to talk to our community, so let’s give him a very warm Campbell River welcome.”
At the meeting, Kwong and her fundraising team will be presenting Daniell with a cheque from the funds raised through the month-long Go Loonie for the SPCA challenge.
Individuals and participating businesses have been challenging one another throughout the month of May to raise money to bring the SPCA back to Campbell River. The SPCA has offered to provide shelter services in the city for $80,000 but said it costs $400,000 a year to run the shelter. Go Loonie for the SPCA is aimed at making up that shortfall.
The campaign has raised more than $10,000 – the amount the city has pledged to match.
A combination bake, book and garage sale last weekend raised nearly $2,500 but there are still items left over to be sold. The sale will continue this Saturday at the old Movie Gallery from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Anyone with items they would like to donate can drop them off at the Merecroft Veterinary Clinic from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.
Meanwhile, despite the SPCA giving up its shelter in Campbell River, the city will still host a Paws for the Cause walk to raise money for the society. The walk is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 8 at 11 a.m., leaving from Nunn’s Creek Park.