SPCA Suncoast faces closure without donations

NEW PORT RICHEY (FOX 13) - Hundreds of dogs and cats at the SPCA Suncoast are in limbo. The shelter is running out of funds it needs to continue operations. It says it's not a mismanagement of funds, instead, donations have slowed down.

The shelter receives no help from city, state or federal organizations. They rely on donations.

You may remember April, the white cat that was thrown out of a car. She was nursed back to health by SPCA Suncoast and now lives happily with her forever family. April’s story is one of the thousands with happy endings thanks to SPCA Suncoast, but those stories might come to an end if they don’t get help. 

Meanwhile, dogs and cats line the kennels of the shelter because they can't be adopted yet.

"We do not send an animal, cat or dog, back into the community without it being spayed or neutered," said Dee Ford, president of the SPCA.

Ford says it can't provide those medical services right now because of lack of funds.

While there are several animals already available for adoption, more than 70 cats and dogs have to be spayed or neutered before they can even be considered to go to their forever home.

The SPCA is also searching for a veterinarian to provide those medical services.

"Those poor little animals sit in the shelter, wait for a forever home, I don't know when that's going to happen because they have to have the surgery," said Ford.

"I would think if we got $25,000, we would consider ourselves rich right now," said Ford. 

If the SPCA cannot afford to keep the shelter open, they will have to close its doors.

"I don't even want to think about that," said Ford. "But, we have other shelters that would take them. But, they're all not no-kill shelters like us. They're all not no-kill shelters. We are."

As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, the SPCA had raised more than $12,000 on their GoFundMe page. If you'd like to help save the SPCA, you can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/s3x8d-save-our-shelter

You can also stop by the SPCA at 7734 Congress St, New Port Richey, FL 34653. They accept cash or check donations. Any amount helps.

Ford says the shelter is also looking for items you can find around your house like towels, blankets, bleach, kitty litter, and cat food.