Animal Adoption Times:  Noon - 4:00 p.m. Wednesday - Saturday & Sunday noon - 2 pm (Closed on all Statutory Holidays)

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Branch History
As with most branches of the BC SPCA this branch was formed by volunteers.  We would like to thank all the people over the years who have generously donated their time and knowledge to bring the branch to where it is today.
 

The following is a branch history in a "nutshell".     

 
  • The Sunshine Coast Branch of the BC SPCA was first formed in January 1979, but was unfortunately dissolved on April 30, 1983.
  • In February 1984 Mr. Len Wray called a meeting to discuss whether or not to get the SPCA back in operation on the Sunshine Coast.  At the meeting a unanimous decision was made (27-0) to reinstate the SPCA on the Coast.  Nominations were held for a temporary committee to be formed and the branch was given $700 from the BC SPCA to start functioning again.  
  • During March 1984 four officers' names and the names and addresses of 20 members were submitted to apply for a Branch Charter.  Upon receipt of the charter the branch could then apply for a Government tax number and appoint two I.D. card carrying Inspectors.  
  • On May 30, 1984 a provincial warrant for one year was issued to the branch.  At this time the branch had 135 members and two inspectors.
  • August 1984 saw dogs being boarded at kennels, volunteers' homes, and being advertised in the local newspaper.  Dogs which were formerly sent to U.B.C. by the pound were no longer being sent.  The branch started placing SPCA cash cans around upper and lower Gibsons.
  • In July 1986 a spay program was put into place.  Twelve animals per month were being spayed.
  • During 1987 a cattery was built at one of the volunteers' homes.  Grocery store till tapes were being collected to help pay for supplies for the animals.  Twenty animals a month were being spayed by the SPCA.
  • 1988 Gibsons Animal Hospital became the "store front" for the SPCA with animals for adoption being housed at the clinic and volunteers looking after the cleaning, feeding, dog walking and adoptions.    
  • A branch newsletter was started in 1989.
  • In 1989 the branch held it's first Pet Pictures with Santa at Sunnycrest Mall.  Gift certificates received from the till tapes were spent on dog and cat food and distributed evenly between the Sechelt Food Bank and the Gibsons Food Bank.  Due to budget constraints this was discontinued in 1993.
  • At the 1990 Annual General Meeting it was reported that the Branch helped 289 animals.
  • During 1992 a building fund was started and negotiations began between the SPCA and the Town of Gibsons for the SPCA taking over the pound facility on Henry Road .   
  • In June 1993 after much hard work by volunteers, renovations were completed at the Gibsons Pound on Henry Road and the SPCA moved into the facility.  A small ceremony was held with the dogs housed at Gibsons Animal Hospital being walked up to their new home wearing blue ribbons.
  • It quickly became apparent that a shelter was a much needed service on the Coast with 40 dogs and 80 cats being logged in from June 6 to June 30.    In 1993 the shelter logged in 634 animals. 1994 brought 791 animals to the shelter.
  • With the opening of the shelter the first staff members of the branch were hired, one full time manager; a part time kennel attendant/night watchman and during the later part of the year a part-time employee was hired.
  • March 1994 saw the branch purchasing its first van a used vehicle from the Vancouver Branch SPCA.
  • By early 1996 the branch was again looking for new location for the shelter and the search was on for a site.  It quickly became apparent that there were not a lot of sites to choose from on the Coast.  Everything from crown land to industrial parks was looked into.     
  • An ambitious fund raising plan was put into place to secure funding for the new building.  Every available grant was applied for - with many rejections, "bricks" were being sold and fundraising events held. 
  • After an extensive search the Solar Road location was settled on as the location for the new building.  
  • A referendum for the SCRD to purchase the land on Solar Road and lease it to the SPCA for $2,500 per year was held September 1997.
  • In July 1998 a ground breaking ceremony was held at the new shelter location.  Construction on the dog kennels started in November of that year.
  • March 1999 saw the completion of the dog kennels at Solar Road and the dogs being moved from Henry Road up to the new location.  Cats remained in the Gibsons facility until Phase II could be completed.
  • Due to a shortage of funds the second phase of the shelter construction was put on hold for a while.  Finally, in early 2000 the cats were moved from the Gibsons facility to the new shelter on Solar Road.      
  • May 4, 2000 saw the Grand Opening/Open House of our current facility located on Solar Road.  Many people attended the opening and came for a tour of the new shelter.  This new building is much larger than the previous building with several large outdoor dog "play" areas and two large outdoor areas for the cats.  The animals enjoy a much healthier and less stressful environment in our new facility.        

On many occasions over the years it has been very small groups of people volunteering many hours of their time to keep the branch operating.  These people, along with their dedication, passion for the humane treatment of animals and drive to see the branch flourish are what has allowed the branch to progress and continue to be there for the animals on the Sunshine Coast.  A sincere thank you to you all.

A sincere thank you also goes to our members and supporters.  As a non-profit society the majority of our funding to keep the shelter operating comes from the generosity of our members, supporters and fund-raising events put on by the branch.  Thank you to everyone for your support throughout the years.