They have helped many animals in the district.
The Humboldt and District SPCA looked back on an interesting year at their annual general meeting on November 10.
There were a lot of changes to the organization over the last year, the main one being the addition of a full-time manager.
"We have a new full-time manager, Wanda Price, out there which is a very new thing for us," said Michael Freeman, president of HDSPCA. "It has really helped with the adoptions."
Adding a full-time manager made it possible to be open longer hours making it easier for people to come in to see the animals.
"Before we weren't always open hours that were conducive to go in if you were working full time," explained Freeman.
This year, the organization has seen a 30 per cent increase in adoptions, said Freeman, as well as a 25 per cent increase in surrenders.
"There is a need for us here because otherwise where would these animals go?" said Freeman. "If surrenders are up 25 per cent and adoptions are up 30 per cent, that's a lot of animals travelling through."
This year, the HDSPCA collected the most adoption dollars they have seen for some time.
Freeman explained with Price out at the site full time, the animals also receive better and more consistent care.
This year, the SPCA also started their capital campaign to raise money for a new building to house the animals.
"The old building is terrible," explained Freeman. "It is really not a purpose-built facility."
He explained a new building would be set up properly with isolation kennels for sick animals, which is a problem they faced this year with a disease outbreak.
"There is no way to contain it in the building we are in now, so we basically had to shut our doors for weeks," said Freeman. "If we can't adopt out and have people coming in the door (to see the animals), we are losing money. With the new building, it will have its own air and entrance (for isolation) so we'd be able to contain it better."
Although they launched the campaign this year, they were competing with other organizations for support.
"With everything that went on in Humboldt this last year, it was really hard for people to want to donate because they were supporting other events," explained Freeman.
Even with the competition, they still managed to raise about $123,000 of the $200,000 they need.
"Last year we had some great events that really helped us with some fundraising," said Freeman.
This year, they are looking for more revenue opportunities, whether through fundraising or other means.
The organization is also looking for more volunteers.
"We are really short of volunteers and it would be really nice to get some more volunteers out there to help," said Freeman.
Volunteers are important for the SPCA because looking after the animals is too large of a job for Price to do herself.
"Right now, if Wanda gets sick, we are in trouble because we have no volunteers," said Freeman. "Part of the reason we have a full-time manager out there is because we were having a hard time getting volunteers... Wanda has been awesome out there."
They would also like to expand their membership.
"In the coming year, our big focus is on membership, because we seem to be down in members," said Freeman. "Since we are not-for-profit we need members to help run the organization at times."
Although they are having trouble finding volunteers, Freeman said they really appreciate all the work their volunteers, members and board do throughout the year.
Freeman also teased that the SPCA will be making some changes they will reveal in the coming months.
"Stay tuned," he smiled. "There are some big changes coming and exciting things are happening."
