The doors of Prince Albert’s former SPCA shelter are once again open.
“It’s not to replace or be in competition with the SPCA, it’s to help out with the relief effort,” said Mayor Greg Dionne.
Dionne said Prince Albert was facing a huge demand. The city’s new SPCA shelter is at near capacity, and some of the evacuees who arrived in Prince Albert discovered too late that their dogs and cats were not allowed at the hotel.
In some cases the families cannot afford the costs of the SPCA.
The old shelter will be run by a group consisting of former SPCA employees and volunteers from La Ronge.
“One of the conditions of them going in there will be no charges because evacuees cannot afford it, and we are not going to charge the Red Cross to keep animals,” said Dionne.
Dionne reiterated this is not a permanent measure, adding that the old shelter will be closed two days after the evacuation order is lifted.
On Monday, Dionne discussed the matter with both the current SPCA staff and the volunteers running the old shelter.
Upwards of 20 to 30 dogs were dropped off at the shelter on Monday.
Additionally, Prince Albert’s SPCA has been busy, donating food for the pets in need and convoy to La Ronge moving out animals.