Municipality unable to come to an agreement with S.P.C.A.
Lindsay Goss photo
Claire, a three year-old silver tabby prepares to take a nap on a cozy blanket. Claire is one of the many animals currently sheltered at the Crowsnest S.P.C.A. in Hillcrest.
LINDSAY GOSS
Pass Herald Reporter
Despite recent changes to the Crowsnest S.P.C.A., the animal shelter in Hillcrest is still working hard to fulfill their mission to provide a shelter for animals without a home, while finding orphaned animals with a safe shelter. In late 2012, the contract the Municipality had with the animal control officer was not renewed, with the arrangement that the peace officer of the community would assume the responsibilities. In light of this change and several other recent changes and updates regarding the S.P.C.A., Crowsnest Pass Administration is trying to come to an agreement on how the shelter will be run. However, following a meeting on Friday, January 25th between the S.P.C.A. and administration, reaching common ground will be harder than originally expected.
“We are here to look after the homeless and abandoned animals,” said Lee Potts from the S.P.C.A. “We did not want all this change to come about because we thought we were running things fine before the Municipality stepped in.”
The SP.C.A., often referred to as the humane society in Alberta is an independent organization.
“We feel frustrated,” Potts said.
The mission statement was to provide a shelter with support of the municipality, providing a spaying/neutering program, an adoption program, an animal control program and educational programs in animal care. Other services offered by the Crowsnest S.P.C.A was offering advice on fixing personality problems to owners who have an animal they cannot handle or one that developed bad habits. Advice to people on the general care of animals, such as deworming, needles and vet references, and referrals to authorities when neglect or abuse is suspected,
The S.P.C.A does not turn away stray animals, however, they will not take in animals who have owners, with the exception if there is abuse by the owner, or situations where the owner is no longer able to care for the animal.
Any improvements to the shelter were made possible with donations and fund raising from the community.
The municipality is still actively trying to come up with a formalized agreement with the S.P.C.A., in hopes of resolving any unsettled issues and concerns of both parties.
