Veterinary surgical team donates services to struggling SPCA Suncoast
NEW PORT RICHEY (FOX 13) - The folks at SPCA Suncoast are breathing a temporary sigh of relief after weeks of worry they may have to close without adopting out their remaining animals.
But an outpouring of donations, plus the generosity of the team at Day and Evening Pet Hospital and Surgical Center, the shelter stands a fighting chance to keep the doors open.
Hundreds of dogs and cats at the SPCA Suncoast were in limbo as shelter managers said they were running out of funds to operate. It wasn’t a mismanagement of funds. Rather, donations – the sole means by which the shelter operates – drastically slowed.
The shelter receives no help from city, state or federal organizations.
Meanwhile, dogs and cats line the kennels of the shelter because they can't be adopted yet because they need to be spayed, neutered, and receive necessary medical care. Dee Ford, president of the SPCA Suncoast says the no-kill shelter will not adopt out animals without these services.
Ford says it couldn’t provide more than 70 animals with medical services because of lack of funds – but help is on the way.
On Sunday, a surgical team from Day and Evening Pet Hospital and Surgical Center - doctors Camp and Lackey, plus surgical lead tech Jessica Conkin, vet techs Tina Strum, Katie Parrish, Trevor Sash, and Cheyenne Grainey – will be at Suncoast SPCA to accomplish the monumental task of spaying and neutering all of the dogs and cats in need, plus vaccinations, microchips, and as much medical care as is possible in one day.
Rescue volunteers will also be there Sunday to help the team complete the daunting tasks.
Ford says the shelter continues to need help. They set up a GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/s3x8d-save-our-shelter, where donations of any size are greatly appreciated.
You can also stop by the SPCA at 7734 Congress St, New Port Richey, FL 34653. They accept cash or check donations, and are always in need of household items like towels, blankets, bleach, kitty litter, and cat food.