Red Deer and District SPCA still needs to raise $800,000 to put a roof over the homeless pets in their care.
The Animal Welfare and Humane Education Centre under construction will double the SPCA’s capacity for animals and provide more educational programming so more animals will have a chance to find a loving family.
The $3.7-million, 12,300-square-foot centre, being built west of its facility at 4505 77th St., is expected to open in March.
“We’re using a loan from the City of Red Deer to help us complete construction so we don’t have to stop and we can open our doors,” SPCA executive director Julie Crawford said.
The SPCA received a $1-million loan from the city last year and Crawford is optimistic they will reach their goal.
“There’s money coming in all the time. Christmas was a generous time with our supporters.”
School classes have also been big supporters of the project.
The biggest fundraising effort on is the city dog licence campaign. Dog licences for 2010 can be bought at the SPCA. They still cost only $26 each, but $7.50 from each goes to the SPCA.
“We will get the keys for the new building around the middle of February. It’s really taking shape.”
For information on SPCA fundraising, go to www.reddeerspca.com
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com