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SPCA nears goal of $4.2-milllion fundrasing campaign

The Red Deer and District SPCA is nearing the end of a fundraising campaign towards its $4.2-million new home for unwanted cats and dogs.

The Red Deer and District SPCA is nearing the end of a fundraising campaign towards its $4.2-million new home for unwanted cats and dogs.

Executive director Monte Greenshields said the local community has been “fabulous” in donating to the $2.5-million Building Pawsitive Futures capital campaign.

Thanks to community donations and other financial support, including government grants, the animal shelter has collected $3.2 million towards the Animal Welfare and Humane Education Centre building now under construction.

“We continue to approach major donors,” he said on Monday.

“We’re not going to stop. We’re not going to fail.”

The building is being built directly west of the current quarters at 4505 77th St.

The bigger centre will double the capacity for homeless pets and provide more educational programming so more animals will have a chance to find a loving family.

Construction of the 12,300-square-foot centre is expected to be done this fall.

The City of Red Deer has offered up to $1 million to the SPCA should it need the money.

The SPCA hasn’t used the money but has asked for changes to the loan term.

“We want relaxed terms because of the economic climate,” said Greenshields.

“So if we do draw on the funds, we’d have a longer term to pay it over.”

Council gave first reading on Monday to amend the term of the loan to 25 years from five years.

As part of the agreement, the SPCA would receive an interest rate of 5.058 per cent.

Councillor Tara Veer said giving the SPCA more time to pay is worth it in the end.

“I think this is such an essential service, that if (this project) would not go ahead, it would most certainly default back to the city,” she said.

ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com