Some of the pressure to make ends meet has been relieved for the Saskatoon SPCA, thanks to a $40,000 grant from PetSmart Charities of Canada. A news release from the non-profit organization says the funds will help to increase the standard of care and include more enrichment opportunities for animals.

Executive Director of the Saskatoon SPCA, Graham Dickson, says part of the funding will help to cover the medical expenses the shelter incurs. He explains that about 96 per cent of the animals that come through their doors are not spayed or neutered. More than 3,000 homeless animals come through the shelter each year. Funding from PetSmart will also allow the Saskatoon SPCA to expand its foster program, improving the quality of care for these animals while they wait for new homes.

Last fall, the Saskatoon SPCA announced it might have to close its doors in a year, if they don’t receive emergency funding from the City. The shelter operates pound services for the City, which covers the first four days of an animal’s stay. At the time, General Manger of Community Services for the City of Saskatoon, Lynne Lacroix, stated that they still have two years on a five year agreement with the Association.

The shelter was hoping for monthly emergency funding of $50,000 to bridge operations until they could arrive at a new funding agreement with the City of Saskatoon. In a letter to City Council during budget deliberations at the end of last year the organization stated that currently, only $620,319 of our $2,036,114 operating budget comes from the City of Saskatoon.

And at a January Board meeting the Saskatoon SPCA Board of Directors made the decision to cease providing protective services as of April 1, 2022. This is also due to what the SPCA cites as inadequate funding.Protective services investigate animal abuse or neglect.

The Saskatoon SPCA provides adoption programs, pet safekeeping, pound services, lost & found, humane education programs and volunteer programs.