HUMBOLDT — A $377,000 donation to the Humboldt SPCA will be invested in the organization’s future building fund – which will be named after the donor.
The late Carol Lee Streeton, a former Plunkett resident who lived in Alberta, willed the money to the organization. The money was originally instructed to create a program to spay and neuter stray cats in Plunkett and Humboldt.
After receiving the funds, the SPCA board consulted with the family and lawyer to the estate about the money being utilized for their future facility, as without it, “the feasibility of continuing an SPCA in Humboldt would be questionable.”
“If any cats come to us, they’re automatically spayed and neutered,” said Bonnie Hepp, Humboldt SPCA board member.
“What we decided with the family is it would go toward the building and the building will be named after Carol. Once we have that and we have more money to allocate by having kenneling and whatever, we will continue on with dealing with Plunkett.”
The Humboldt SPCA have been renting their current facility since 2007, which the board said lacks proper water plumbing for grooming animals and general cleaning.
Their goal with a new facility would be to provide pet services that could provide operational income, as well as fill the needs that they feel are lacking.
“We can’t kennel, we can’t have a doggy daycare, we can’t do grooming – anything that will bring us [money]… other than just adoptions and fundraising,” she said.
“We can’t generate income where we are. We’re trying to save money because we have hired staff, high vet bills, we have rent. By the time all that stuff is paid there is nothing left over.”
With the donation, the building fund holds about $560,000. Estimates on the building cost are about a million dollars.
Efforts for large fundraisers are on hold amid COVID-19.
“We’re hoping within a year or two max, we can get started on the building,” Hepp said.
“The last email from the family said the family was very excited that the building will be incorporating Carol’s name.”
