N.S. SPCA says uptick in animals with medical needs costing more than $150K

A Nova Scotia SPCA building is pictured in this file photo.

In the last two months, the Nova Scotia SPCA has received more than 130 animals, many of which need medical care costing more than $150,000.

The high costs come at a time when the organization says its lost thousands of dollars in donations due to the ongoing Canada Post strike.

The SPCA says it has received the seized and surrendered animals in just under two months. Many of the animals have high medical needs.

“We are estimating the costs for both medical and sheltering care, for these 130 plus animals alone, to be at over $150,000,” says Alicia Avendano, veterinary assistant and shelter liaison, in a news release. “Some animals need long-term medical care due to their poor physical condition, and others need emergency care, like Fern, who had 852 porcupine quills that had to be removed.

“While these animals recover from their medical needs, they still need to stay with the SPCA, which means covering costs for food and shelter, in addition to their medical costs. It all adds up. It is all needed to improve the quality of life of these animals.”

The SPCA says there is no provincial government funding for medical care. The organization also says it has lost out on tens of thousands of dollars of mailed-in donations in October amid the postal strike.

Donations can be made online or at local shelters.

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