Following the November 10 closure of the BC SPCA’s Nelson Adoption Centre, announced in late August, the Society is pleased to share the promised community-based services model is now in place and ready to support the City of Nelson and surrounding communities.
At the helm of this new model in a Community Services Coordinator role is longtime BC SPCA employee and past manager of the Nelson Adoption Centre, Kristine Graham. Graham is currently building a robust team of volunteer fosters, animal and supplies drivers, and community ambassadors that will be integral in helping to ensure the animal welfare needs of the community are met.
“Making sure animals living in the community have the love and support they need is so important to me. I’ve held many roles with the BC SPCA in my 10 years as an employee, including managing the Nelson Adoption Centre before its closure, but I’m especially eager to build out our community services model to reflect the City’s unique needs and demands,” shares Graham. “Even before the Adoption Centre closure, we were already partnering with spaces like the Chahko Mika Mall to host adoption events and bring the BC SPCA’s services to the community. We look forward to building out these partnerships further in spaces that are accessible to make it easier than ever for the public to connect with the BC SPCA.”
Residents of Nelson and the surrounding communities currently have access to BC SPCA services in the following ways:
- Adoption – all of BC SPCA’s adoptable animals are posted on the adoption site. Community members interested in adding a new member to their family are encouraged to start here to see the adoptable animals in the Kootenays-area.
- Animal protection services – a dedicated team of Animal Protection Officers serve the Kootenays as part of the BC SPCA’s provincial Animal Protection work. Anyone who has animal welfare concerns or wants to report an animal in distress should contact the BC SPCA’s Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722.
- Low-income pet spay/neuter support – thanks to the generosity of the BC SPCA’s partners, Osprey Community Foundation and the Columbia Basin Trust through the Regional District of Central Kootenay, Nelson community members have access to a low-income discounted spay/neuter program. Interested parties can check their eligibility and apply online.
- Pet food bank programs – animal guardians in need of pet food or supplies are able to access support through a number of pet food bank partners in Nelson including the Salvation Army, Good Food Bank, Kaslo Food Hub, Salmo Community Services Food Bank.
- Surrender – community members who need assistance rehoming an animal should contact the BC SPCA’s Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722 to discuss their situation and get information on next steps.
- Volunteering opportunities – the BC SPCA is actively recruiting volunteer foster homes in the Nelson region, along with the addition of two new volunteer opportunities: animal and supplies drivers and BC SPCA ambassadors. Anyone interested in volunteering with the BC SPCA should visit the volunteer opportunities page.
As the community-based services model in Nelson expands and adapts, the best place to access resources and information on the programs and services available in the area is on the BC SPCA’s dedicated Nelson page.