YORKTON — The Yorkton SPCA marked a milestone anniversary Friday while raising money to help care for the steady flow of animals arriving at the shelter.
Staff and volunteers hosted a pulled-pork fundraiser, a departure from the organization's traditional barbecue events, as part of a belated celebration of the shelter's 50th anniversary.
"We're celebrating our 50th year," said Yorkton SPCA manager Joan Gabriel. "It's actually 51 because we missed last year, but we're going to do a 50-year anniversary."
The fundraiser ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with proceeds directed toward the shelter's general operating fund.
Gabriel said the money will help cover a wide range of expenses, from staffing and facility costs to veterinary care for animals housed at the shelter.
"We have all the overhead of a business without the guaranteed income," Gabriel said. "It pays bills, it pays staff, it pays medical. That's what it's for."
Like many animal shelters, the Yorkton SPCA continues to face capacity challenges.
"We're always full," Gabriel said. "As soon as one kennel empties, we have calls for 12 more to come in."
The shelter currently cares for a mix of dogs and cats of various ages, with demand for space remaining consistently high.
Gabriel said volunteers play a vital role in helping the organization meet those demands.
"We get volunteers and they fill a niche that we sometimes can't get to," she said. "We're always skeleton staff here, so volunteers are integral to animal welfare."
In addition to volunteering, community members can support the shelter through online donations, e-transfers or in-person contributions.
Founded more than five decades ago, the Yorkton SPCA provides care and shelter for animals in need while relying heavily on community support to sustain its operations.
