The branch had had to use capital to cover day-to-day operational costs. There were sufficient funds to keep the branch operating for only about three months. An emergency meeting was planned for this week to discuss fundraising ideas, Mrs Gameson said.
The branch's highest cost was rent at the Stuart St premises. She described conditions there as "absolutely appalling".
Vetlife Oamaru offered the SPCA a building, next to its premises on the corner of Thames and Torridge Sts, to house a shelter after the Stuart St premises failed a RNZSPCA inspection.
The plans for the new shelter were now being detailed to the Waitaki District Council's specifications and, once accepted by the council, would go out for tender. The project could cost $200,000.
While there had been an increase in the number of animals being surrendered because people said they could not afford to look after them, and in the number of people asking for pet food and help with vet costs and de-sexing, donations of food had decreased and the branch was having to buy in food, Mrs Gameson said.
The branch appreciated the financial support it had received from the community and hoped it would continue. It was continually looking at ways to reduce expenses.
It was a small committee, dedicated to the principles of the RNZSPCA, but acknowledged it fell short on some of the skills needed to operate a small business "through these hard times ahead".
It had little success attracting new members and a secretary was urgently needed.
The situation was "very, very serious". If the branch could not continue to operate after three months, it might become a holding facility, with animals either euthanased or sent to other branches, she said.
