SPCA facility almost ready

In with the new . . . SPCA Otago CEO Sophie McSkimming (left) and secretary Jan Clarke check out the new education centre in the first of three of the organisation’s facilities being rebuilt. PHOTO: GRETA YEOMAN

SPCA Otago chief executive officer Sophie McSkimming said the rebuild of the education centre was progressing well. It was the first of three facilities being rebuilt at the site.

The building will contain two veterinary consultation rooms for incoming animals, an adoption reception area, a laundry, a dry goods store for pet food, as well as an education room for the many groups that visit the centre and a few staff offices.

Ms McSkimming said she expected the demolition of the second building, which houses dogs up for adoption, would begin before the first building opened. Dogs would be fostered out during this time.

But it could be more of a challenge when the final building, which houses cats up for adoption, was rebuilt later this year, she said. Staff were hoping the three buildings would be open before kitten season began late in the year.

The annual SPCA black-tie dinner and ball on July 21 raised $32,000 for the rebuild from the 140 tickets sold, as well as from an auction at the event. There is still about $180,000 left to raise, Ms McSkimming said.

Dunedin Casino, who were also involved last year, contributed a significant amount of resources to the black-tie event. Their Food and Beverage staff brought a 'pop-up' kitchen to the Golden Centre Mall to prepare and cook the evening's meals. The Casino also provided all of the entertainment for the evening which included Auckland based The Bee Gee's (Paul Masden Promotions) and Frankie Stevens as MC.

Ms McSkimming hoped the upcoming annual SPCA Cupcake Day on August 14 would bring some money for the rebuild. All sales in Dunedin would go towards the Opoho centre.

Staff were not planning on holding a cupcake sale on-site, but schools and other community groups would be selling cupcakes around the city.

For more information on Cupcake Day, visit spcacupcakeday.gofundraise.co.nz