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Kamloops  

Shelter closed to the public, spay and neuter clinic remains open

SPCA reduces services

Kamloops' BC SPCA shelter is closed to the public, spokesperson Hayley Bennett tells Castanet. It’s only open for scheduled appointments for adoptions or emergency surrenders.

The Tranquille Road facility is currently operating with a staff of 50 per cent or less, she says.

“Any staff member that’s able to do their job from home is working from home, and we’re having the lowest number of staff and volunteers in the shelter. It’s really on a need-to-be-in-there basis,” says Bennett.

She couldn’t give an exact number of how many animals are currently in the shelter, but did say that number can change by the hour, as staff reach out to foster families and try to reduce the load.

“We’re really working very hard to bring the number of animals in the shelter down.”

To help with that process, the SPCA is running an adoption event from now until March 27.

“It’s actually a great time to have a new animal,” says Bennett. “You’re home, you have time to bond with them, train them, and really connect.”

Anyone interested in adopting is asked to view the animals on the SPCA’s website and then submit an online application. Staff will follow up with an appointment.

The SPCA’s spay and neuter clinic, meanwhile, remains open. However, hours have been reduced: 8 to 9 a.m. for surgery drop-off; open again from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Bennett notes if your furry friend is getting surgery, it’s important you come pick up your animal at the allotted time.

“We don’t want everyone rushing into the lobby at the end of the day at the same time,” she says. “We want it to be one person at a time."

As for vaccine appointments, Bennett says they’re on hold for now.

“If you had your animal vaccinated several months ago, it’s probably not highly critical that they come in right away for their next vaccination,” she says. “We’re looking more at animals that are in a higher risk category or it’s a time-sensitive procedure, the animal is in undo pain, or something like that."



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