SPCA Otago - Opoho Building Replacement Underway  

Funding Stories

SPCA Otago launched a $1.5 million fundraising campaign last year to give its run-down Dunedin animal shelter a facelift. The buildings replacement project is long overdue and will allow SPCA Otago to function more efficiently in the future. The Otago Community Trust was pleased to support the SPCA with a $150,000 donation. Our Communications and Marketing Coorindator recently made a visit to see how the project was transforming the Opoho site. 

SPCA Otago executive officer Sophie McSkimming explained the charity had operated effectively from its Torridon St premises in Opoho for nearly 70 years but there was an urgent need to refurbish the dilapidated premises, as some of the areas were no longer fit for purpose.

"Overcrowding of animals and the spread of disease is our biggest concern within the current constraints of our animal centre. We need to be able to provide the very best of care to animals that have already experienced the distress of neglect, abandonment, illness or abuse". 

In total five buildings are to be removed, three replacements are to be constructed: the Education Centre (already closed due to H&S), the Dog Isolation and Hospitalisation unit, and the Cat Isolation and Hospitalisation unit. The old laundry and temporary storage areas will be removed and incorporated into the Education Centre.

"Effectively what this allows us to do is have a dedicated new building that will provide a hygienic storage area for pet food, an adequate laundry facility to sterilise pet bedding, and two veterinary triage rooms for urgent animal treatment. We must also redevelop two existing animal facilities that house new arrivals and quarantined animals". said Ms McSkimming. "It is quite an overhaul but it is necessary to future proof the centre".  

The Otago SPCA Charitable Trust has committed $500,000 to the project and is extremely grateful to all the genrous donations to date. 

Fast Facts: How SPCA Otago helped in 2016

• 82 animal emergencies attended
• 152 lost animals reunited with their owners
• 314 animals in foster care
• 370 animal welfare complaints investigated
• 940 desexing operations organised
• 1548 animals in care

The SPCA Otago region extends to the Waitaki River in North Otago, Tautuku in the Catlins and Haast on the West Coast. It also includes Central Otago.