January 14, 2008 SPCA Forced to Close Coquitlam Shelter By Liam Britten Pocus much wrangling between shelter operators, the City of Coquitlam, and nearby residents, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (SPCA) will finally be closing its Pipeline Road animal shelter in Coquitlam due to a lack of funding and noise bylaws. The shelter has been taking cats and dogs in for the past 48 years, but on July 1 of this year, its doors will close forever, six months earlier than anticipated. The main issue driving the closure was noise complaints from nearby residents about barking dogs. These complaints, documented from at least 2003, precipitated a number of changes and improvements to the facility, costing the SPCA thousands of dollars. The changes were not enough for residents, however, and eventually the SPCA moved all dogs to a different facility; this drastically impacted the Coquitlam facility’s revenue-generating ability. “If we don’t have dogs, we can’t operate,” Lorie Chortyk, a spokeswoman for the B.C. SPCA told The Coquitlam NOW. “Unfortunately it’s not financially viable to keep it running with just cats. That’s half of your revenue that’s wiped out. At most SPCA shelters you’re living hand to mouth at the best of times.” However, the City of Coquitlam is saying that the Society is pinning the blame for the kennel’s problems unfairly on the city. Therese Mickelson of the City of Coquitlam has told the press that the SPCA has planned to leave the facility for the last 15 years over concerns of space. “They told us this past spring they were not making the required improvements to address noise concerns because they planned to move anyway,” Mickelson said. “It appears... they are now placing the blame on the city of Coquitlam and area residents for a decision to move that they made ages ago.” However, Chortyk insists the move was not voluntary, and has said that the city council “doesn’t seem to be interested at all in helping animals.” Last year, the shelter took in 1,198 animals. The animals currently in the shelter will be moved to other facilities. While there will now be no place for citizens to drop off animals locally, the SPCA will still conduct animal-cruelty investigations, deliver educational programs and respond to night emergency calls within the area. The SPCA has stated that they intend to return to the area, and are examining options. The City of Coquitlam seems to support this in principle, with spokeswoman Mickelson saying “We consider animal care to be a priority in our community.” 250 Columbia St. BROOKLYN al WATERFRONT LOUNG 604.517.2966 OES eae STUDENT NIGHT! THURSDAY “i GO PLACES FROM HERE. ‘0 Thi 4 PARTNE VICTORIA Investing in the skills and talents of British Columbia’s students WITH A $5,000 IRVING K. BARBER BC SCHOLARSHIP 150 scholarships of $5,000 awarded annually to 2°-year BC students transferring to complete their degree APPLY BEFORE MARCH 31 Visit: www.bescholarship.ca or talk to your campus Financial Aid Office today THE IRVING K. BARBER ko British Columbia Scholarship Society RSHIP WITH FOUNDATION