Deer Lake -
The Bay of Islands SPCA's plan of a new and improved, multi-purpose animal shelter has a small business owner concerned.
Angela Parsons is the owner of Royal K9 Spa and Resort in Deer Lake which is in its second year of operation. Being an animal lover, Parsons appreciates the SPCA's need for a larger facility, but as a small business owner, she said she hopes the not-for-profit organization doesn't get any special treatment from the city or government.
The new facility when it is constructed will be more than a shelter, offering amenities such as space available for grooming and boarding services, pet merchandise retail and a dog park.
"It will be direct competition to me and those operating grooming and or boarding businesses in Corner Brook and surrounding areas," Parsons told The Western Star in an email. "I welcome competition, of course, but this isn't your regular competition."
" ... To offer other services as a profitable business when they are a not-for-profit, that operates on volunteers, donations and government funding ... I don't know how they can do that. What fighting chance do the small business owners like myself have when they are hoping to collect donated money and go after government funding to pay for their building and then some?" she said.
Other possible perks
In addition to possibly receiving government funding, she is concerned the facility will get other breaks that would give it an unfair advantage. Specifically, she wonder if the facility would pay the same business tax, land tax, and water and sewer taxes.
She said those types of help would be expected for a not-for-profit animal shelter without the additional revenue streams.
Brian Hancock, president of the Bay of Islands SPCA, said the plans for the new development are being worked on presently with the agreement to purchase with the city being in place within days or weeks.
"Then we have literally a year to actually do the purchase and after that we have to start construction within the year, so we're looking a maximum two-year time frame before the ground gets turned. Of course that's contingent on everybody getting on board, corporate sponsors, government grants falling in place," he said.
He said to support the facility, the SPCA needs revenue streams coming from what the multi-purpose animal shelter is catering to: looking after animals.
Hancock said developing the business side of animal care in the new facility would mean permits and building regulations like any new business.
"Because we're the SPCA, it wouldn't mean that we wouldn't be treated any differently by the regulating bodies if we decide to go into any business. We plan on having a storefront with pet supplies. Now all these things are not necessarily carved in stone at this point in time. But we do have to make decisions once we start the facility. Obviously if were going to have a grooming area or a storefront, that has to be part of the plan," said Hancock.
The SPCA's new shelter planning committee has launched a fundraising campaign to help cover the $700,000 cost. The improved animal shelter will service the entire west coast of Newfoundland.
"I've been involved with the SPCA for going on 25 years. For the last eight years, that's pretty much been our project, operating the shelter and working towards the new shelter. I feel that this takes us a big leap closer to actually realizing the dream," he said.
