Engineers report building’s foundation, walls, and ceiling, unsafe for staff and animals
November 15th 2023: Structual issues leave the BC SPCA no option but to permanently close the facility at Haney Road at Old Kamloops Road Vernon BC.
Craig Daniell, chief executive officer for the BC SPCA:
“Simply repairing the roof would not be a viable solution for the long-term future of the building, as the more than 35-year-old building is located on a former landfill site which is causing the subsidence and cracking of the facility.”
"Due to a number of ongoing concerns related to the structural integrity of the Vernon community animal centre, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close the facility effective November 17. The BC SPCA remains committed to serving the animal welfare needs for the City of Vernon and surrounding communities through other regionally based programs and services such as animal protection, youth education, and community support initiatives, and through increased capacity at neighbouring animal centres in Shuswap and Kelowna."
In a post on the BC SPCA website, CEO Daniell says the organization remains committed to the North Okanagan region.
The remaining animals will be transferred to surrounding community animal centres including BC SPCA facilities in the Shuswap and Kelowna.
“Many of the programs and services in place in Vernon, such as animal protection, youth education and community support initiatives, are already regionally based and we are exploring opportunities to further support the community moving forward.”
“The decision to permanently close the Vernon community animal centre was very difficult and not one that was made lightly. At the end of the day, we needed to consider the welfare of our staff, volunteers, and, importantly, the animals in our care both in the short and long term.”
If you need support from the BC SPCA, contact your nearest BC SPCA location or call the Animal Helpline: 1-855-622-7722.
The Vernon BC SPCA Centre 35-year-old building will be permanently closed Friday, November 17, 2023
Tags: Vernon BC SPCA Closing Doors, Building Unsafe
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