The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Animal advocate Debbie Hiebert outlined an ambitious plan Tuesday for an animal shelter to serve the Flin Flon-Creighton area. Hiebert, the president of the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, told Flin Flon City Council that the SPCA has spent countless hours on the project over the past two years. "The majority of our community has been very supportive of this project, and I believe they see a great need for it here," she said from a podium. "We are definitely lacking in services regarding animals, yet there are countless resources for people here who are in need." Hiebert shared with Council with a proposed location in the uptown area for the shelter. The location was not disclosed to the public. On behalf of her fellow volunteers, Hiebert requested the City give the SPCA "a fair price" on the property and the "promise of a fair and modest" tax levy. The SPCA hopes to begin construction on the facility in the spring of 2005. "If we delay it too long, people who are working for us are going to get discouraged and worn out," commented Hiebert. The proposed facility would be more than a simple shelter. It would also serve as a headquarters for the SPCA and be the base for a number of services for animals and the public. A key reason Hiebert gave for Council to support the project revolved around keeping unwanted animals away from the public. "It would be quite unattractive to have strays and injured or sick animals walking the streets of Flin Flon," she said. "A well-run shelter says nice things about our community Ñ that we care." See 'Animal' P.# Con't from P.# Hiebert gave further reasons, saying the facility would house injured animals, might employ an animal control officer to deal with reports of abused animals, and be used to educate the public on the humane treatment of animals. The facility may also offer subsidies to low-income families who wish to spay or neuter their pets, she said. Beyond those services, Hiebert envisioned a place where families could visit to spend time with animals while learning more about them. "Our building will be designed to be both people and animal-friendly," she said. "We are not there simply for animals. We are also there to help people and their pets." To help keep the shelter operational, the SPCA may make the facility double as a store for specialty pet items such as dog beds and natural pet food. Other potential revenue may come from a pet day care program, bathing services and a crematorium. Hiebert mentioned the possibility of the shelter being used as a commercial kennel, saying she would gladly refer people to the SPCA when her kennels at White Lake are full. For the past two years, SPCA volunteers have held fundraisers such as bingos, tag days and raffles as they've inched closer to their goal of a shelter. "A substantial part of the SPCA's money is locked into the building fund," noted Hiebert.
