The BC SPCA is ending its animal shelter operations in Prince George as of January 1 now that the City of Prince George's has awarded the contract for these services to another provider.
The Prince George Humane Society was awarded the $1,209,315 annual contract after a tendering process that opened in early September. The winning bid was confirmed Thursday, Oct. 24.
The BC SPCA has been the operator the North Cariboo Community Animal Centre, handling more than 1,500 animals annually. The centre is also responsible for the highest municipal stray animal intake in the province, often serving as a triage site for significant animal protection seizures.
The city signed a contract with the BC SPCA in 2021, retroactive to December 2019, at $1,105,855.36 per year over five years. It is set to expire Dec. 31.
As the Lansdowne Road shelter is city-owned, the Humane Society will take over its operations. The BC SPCA indicated it will work with its successor to make sure things go well.
"We've valued our partnership with the city for decades and are committed to supporting a smooth transition to minimize any service gaps for the animals of Prince George," said Jamey Blair, senior manager of animal care services for the Interior and Northern regions with the BC SPCA.
Blair expressed disappointment over the decision but congratulated the Humane Society.
The change means the BC SPCA will have to find a new facility to continue its work, which includes animal protection investigations, spay and neuter clinics, pet food banks and school-based humane education.
The organization has plans for a new purpose-built centre, expected to be completed closer to 2030, but may now seek quicker alternatives to maintain its presence in the community, states a letter sent to supporters.
"With the end of the animal shelter operations contract between the BC SPCA and the city, we will need to explore faster options and are currently looking into suitable short-term options for either a physical space or the provision of a community services model, similar to what has been piloted in other communities where there is currently no physical BC SPCA facility," the letter states.
Despite the change, the BC SPCA will continue to operate its spay/neuter clinic and is exploring options for community services, similar to models successfully implemented in other areas without physical BC SPCA facilities.
