The NWT SPCA announced today that it will be reducing hours of operation and cutting staff to help deal with financial difficulties posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
A press release issued by the organization's board of directors states the pandemic has caused severe and negative impacts on funding. Because it is a non-profit organization that depends on donations, it does not received consistent and guaranteed government funding.
"It is no surprise that in the current economic state of the country, our donations have been negatively impacted by the pandemic," the news release stated. "Our major fundraiser – the annual Gala, which was scheduled for next month – had to be cancelled and the future of other planned fundraisers is uncertain."
The news release states that because major sources of income are being lost, immediate action has to be taken to reduce expenses "to ensure that the organization can continue to operate and fulfill our mandate to care for the animals during this time."
This includes reducing shelter hours and employment time in the shelter and cutting its "workforce significantly."
"This will have a major impact on our shelter operations, but it is our hope that these measures will allow us to stay open and to continue to serve the animals in our care and those needing our help in the foreseeable future," stated the news release.
The release also states that although there is federal funding help for supplementing wages, it is uncertain how a non-government organization like the NWT SPCA would be eligible.
"To date the criteria for non-profits has not been clearly defined," states the news release. "We do not know if we will be eligible, and if we do eventually qualify, we do not know when this money will become available to us. In the meantime, we have no choice but to proceed with our plan to preserve our shelter going forward."
The news release states that as of Saturday, there are more than 45 animals living outside of the shelter in foster care which reduces the number of animals in shelter requiring care.
"As a result, the number of staff and volunteers required is reduced allowing us to practice important physical distancing guidelines," states the release. "It continues to be our goal that we will be able to resume normal shelter operations in the not-too-distant future."
Foster and adoption applications will continue locally and the NWT SPCA encourages people to continue to apply if they have the room.
Financial donations are also being accepted to help keep the organization afloat and can be sent to nwtspcayk@gmail.com or visit our website at www.nwtspca.com to donate though Canada Helps or PayPal.