As “puppies and kittens season” has rolled around, the SPCA is seeking some help from the public as it has many additional mouths to feed. “We have over 50 kittens right now and neonates in our care, and we have over 30 puppies and babies in our care. We actually had five born this morning in our care...We’re in kind of the depths of it,” said Sheila Gibbons, community engagement coordinator for the SPCA. The animal shelter is seeking donations of food for puppies and kittens, particularly of the canned variety. Gibbons said the springtime typically sees a significant boom in the births of puppies and kittens, which results in a very busy few months as the animals end up in shelters. “Once they hit about four weeks [old], they go through a lot of wet food as they transition onto kibble. So we go through those supplies fairly quickly. So those puppies and kittens supplies, we run through pretty fast,” Gibbons said. Gibbons added that there are many ways to support the SPCA. The rescue has a major impact on the community and is always happy to receive support. “We’re able to help just about 2,000 animals a year in our community. So if they can help a little bit, if you can’t donate food, we do take volunteers. Even just sharing our post on social media can make a big difference, because maybe somebody else who sees that can help,” Gibbons said. Like many animal rescues, the SPCA is completely reliant on donations to stay operational. Gibbons said often, members of the public are surprised to learn exactly how much the organization needs donations. “Some people are under the assumption that maybe the city funds us or the government funds us. So it’s just something that we want people to be made aware of, because there are those false assumptions in the community. So it might make people be more willing to give if they know that we do rely so heavily on those community donations and that community support,” Gibbons said. Gibbons added that while the rescue can purchase more food if it becomes necessary, that step would result in cuts to other supports provided for the animals. “If we do run out of supplies that are donated, we do have to use donor funds to purchase those supplies. And that cuts into all of the other things that we can do. If that runs out, then that means that we aren’t able to help any more animals in our community,” Gibbons said. Anyone looking to donate can drop off food at the SPCA’s office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, or donate virtually through the organization’s Wish List located on its website. “It makes a huge difference. I mean, some people feel like it’s not very much when they just bring in a few cans of food, but that means it’s a few mouths that are fed that day, and that’s huge,” Gibbons said.
