Every evening but one since the beginning of November the SPCA says people have been stealing from their donated bottles and pet food supplies.
The thefts are taking away much-needed revenues and resources to help provide medical care, food, and other care for the animals in the shelter and provide food and supplies to families with pets in need in our community.
The thefts have been reported to the Wood Buffalo RCMP.
Fort McMurray SPCA Executive Director Tara Clarke said the fact people are targeting a charity is very disappointing.
“You certainly don’t expect for there to be such organization and intent around stealing from the SPCA, bottles and pet supplies,” she said.
The bottles are donated by residents and are recycled with the proceeds being used to fund shelter operations and medical care. All of the pet food and supplies are donated as well.
Clarke said the SPCA is working on improving their security to better safeguard the ‘very generous’ donations of the community but said they don’t have a lot of resources to do that.
They’re hoping the community can help them identify the people taking their bottles and supplies from photos from security cameras.
If you see the vehicles or suspects anywhere, particularly at the bottle depot, you’re asked to contact Wood Buffalo RCMP 780-788-4000 and email ed@fortmcmurrayspca.ca.
In the meantime financial donations will help them make up the shortfall in revenue from these thefts so they can continue to support the community in the wake of the wildfire and care for the animals that have been surrendered to the shelter.
Since August 170 animals have been surrendered through the fee-free surrender program and all of those animals have to be cared for through the shelter program.
As well, Clarke said, they are working to keep pets with their families despite hardships the community may be facing.
“That’s really the intent around our re-entry supports and services and our regular programming. We work to provide every support and resource we can to the community so that pets can remain with their families,” said Clarke.
To learn more about what the SPCA does in the community, or to make a donation to help them through this challenging time, visit fortmcmurrayspca.ca.
