SPCA in Merced fears closure without funding, facility repairs

The volunteers at the Merced Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals fear the worst for the organization if some significant issues with the facility are not addressed – soon.

The most recent and costly problem comes from the septic tank and leech lines. In June, the organization had its septic tank pumped to the tune of $550 after it overflowed, said President Cathy Benner. Now, the septic company is telling the no-kill shelter that, at the very least, the leech lines need to be replaced – if not the entire septic system. Repairing the leech lines alone would cost about $7,000, Benner said.

That’s not the only problem.

The shelter has dealt with a leaky roof and bad drainage on its property for years, Benner said. The recent drought conditions and lack of rain have provided temporary relief, but the predicted El Niño year is a cause for worry. When the roof leaks or the building floods, volunteers must move animals and equipment to a dry area.

The shelter, at 1021 E. Childs Ave., operates solely on donations and money from fundraisers, so it has no steady income, said Florence Lambert, the nonprofit’s treasurer. The Merced SPCA is not affiliated with the national organization, the American SPCA.

“Why don’t the citizens of Merced recognize this shelter and rally to keep it open?” Lambert asked Thursday.

In a city of about 80,000, the Merced SPCA has about 115 members. Of those, about 12 consistently donate every month, Lambert said.

“The citizens of Merced don’t understand how much we actually do,” she said. “What we need from them is their help. Of course we need money, but we need their help.”

Currently, the SPCA houses about 50 cats and dogs. If they’re not adopted, some of those animals could spend the rest of their lives at the facility. About 10 volunteers work seven days a week keeping the animals fed and watered, cleaning pens and litter boxes and sometimes giving the animals medication.

“There’s no time to clean up anything,” Benner said. “We got the building in 2000, but how old is it really? We try to make the best of it.”

Atwater police Lt. Samuel Joseph said shelters help alleviate staff and space for the county and smaller communities.

“The shelters not only benefit us as enforcement personnel, they benefit the animals because they are taken care of, fed properly and even adopted,” he said.

Atwater doesn’t have the funds to employ a full-time animal control officer, Joseph said. Many times, people will drop off animals at city agencies, even though the city is not responsible for stray animals. Shelters, he said, “are vital for injured animals or animals who are roaming the streets.”

Merced County animal control officials did not comment Thursday.

The Merced SPCA receives anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 in donations each month, Lambert said. But for many months, caring for the animals paired with veterinary bills drive costs much higher than the shelter’s income.

Benner and Lambert aren’t sure how much longer the shelter can stay open with the current financial and facility conditions. Benner estimated six months.

“It just depends on when the elements shut us down,” Lambert said. “If we get rained out of there again, that building is going to collapse.”

To volunteer or become a member, contact the SPCA at 209-384-7722. Memberships are $35 per year.

This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 6:33 PM with the headline "SPCA in Merced fears closure without funding, facility repairs."