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.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Over the past decade, the Flin Flon, Creighton and Area SPCA has taken in some very sickly animals. But no matter how weak and malnourished these cats and dogs were, volunteers never gave up in trying to nurse them back to health. Now, through that same compassionate determination, the not-for-profit organization has given homeless animals and those who care for them a place to call their own. About 80 people gathered under the shade of a marquee tent last Saturday, Sept. 29, to officially open the SPCA's new animal shelter and headquarters off the Cliff Lake Road. 'This beautiful facility is representative of volunteerism and passion for a cause,' former SPCA volunteer Andrea Paul told the assembled guests. See 'Comm...'on pg.7 Continued from pg.3 'The support of the citizens and businesses of Flin Flon, Creighton, Denare Beach, Cranberry Portage and all the surrounding areas has made this dream a reality.' Standing in front of the red-cladded, one-storey building, SPCA vice-president Debbie Hiebert was full of praise. 'I love it here, I love the building and thank you to all volunteers, everybody, for all the hard work over the years,' she said. Built mostly with volunteer labour and many donated materials, the building marks the beginning of a new era for the SPCA. With about 1,600 sq. ft. of space, it can hold up to about 20 dogs in a chain-link-fenced kennel. In a nearby room, about as many cats can be housed in individual cages. Located near the old museum site, the sound-proof building also includes a reception area, a kitchen, meeting and waiting rooms, and office space. It was enough to impress one of Canada's top animal advocates, Rob Laidlaw, who was in from Toronto to speak at the grand opening. 'I think it is a wonderful day. I think it's a great move for the city of Flin Flon and for the animals in the region that this building is opening,' said Laidlaw, a chartered biologist, author and founder of a wildlife-protection charity. Looking out over a sea of faces, including civic leaders from Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach, Laidlaw said those who support the local SPCA join a global movement that cares for dogs. 'You here are part of this large collective of people that are trying to make the world a kinder and better place for dogs,' he said, 'and I think you should applause yourselves for doing that. 'That ethic does exist out there and whatever we can do to make it grow is really worthwhile.' Of course the new building did not come easy. The SPCA spent years fundraising only to have a previously proposed site, in the McKeen Avenue area, rejected by city council in 2007. After that vote, some SPCA supporters began to wonder whether a shelter was a pipe dream. Would all of the pieces ever come together? Karen MacKinnon, a city councillor who spoke at Saturday's opening, applauded the group for never giving up. 'You continued on with such class. When other people would have stopped, you kept going and going,' said Coun. MacKinnon, who helped Hiebert cut the ribbon to formally open the building. The challenge for the SPCA is not over yet. The new building will yield ongoing maintenance costs, and two staff members _ manager Carmen Hiebert and assistant Gail Neufeld _ have been hired. 'We're the only non-profit organization in this area...that has nothing guaranteed to it for operations, for purchases or anything else from government,' noted SPCA president Judy Eagle.
