Media Release: Paradise Signs Five Year MOU with SPCA St. John’s for Animal Care Services

July 23, 2024 – Paradise, NL: The Town of Paradise and the SPCA St. John’s today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide direct animal care and a safe haven for lost or missing pets from the Town. Mayor Dan Bobbett and members of Council joined with SPCA Board Chair Amanda Buis, Executive Director Karen Mahoney, and staff and animals from the SPCA for the event. 

Under the terms of the MOU, the Town will make an annual contribution of $10,000 to the SPCA for the next five years. The funding supports the SPCA’s Way Home Capital Campaign. With the MOU, the SPCA will provide animal care for domestic animals picked up by the Town’s Municipal Enforcement Officers (MEOs) or by residents. The organization will provide the appropriate care and attention to the animals and Paradise residents will be able to claim their missing pets through the SPCA. In addition, under the MOU, the Town and the SPCA will work together to offer adoption days, public education events, and community outreach initiatives in Paradise.

“This partnership with the SPCA St. John’s is not just about providing a safe place for animals; it’s about building a community that cares,” said Mayor Bobbett. “Paradise is proud to support the SPCA and help fund The Way Home Capital Campaign through this MOU. This initiative is important for ensuring that adoptable pets find loving homes and that missing or lost pets find their way home. We look forward to working with the SPCA to provide animal services to our Town.”

The SPCA is an adoption-focused agency that helps homeless animals find new homes and promotes animal spaying and neutering across the Avalon Peninsula. The organization’s current facilities no longer meet its operational needs, and it has launched The Way Home Capital Campaign to raise funds for a new, modern facility. When finalized, the new building will enable the SPCA to provide care for more animals along with offering community outreach and public education programming.

“The SPCA St. John's is delighted to announce our collaboration with the Town of Paradise! The generous support and funding from the town will help us build and operate our new facility, ensuring we can continue our important work in the community. Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of animals in need,” said Karen Mahoney, SPCA St. John’s Executive Director.

The provision of animal services from the SPCA for the Town of Paradise is effective immediately and any residents looking for lost pets can contact the organization.

-30-

Media Contacts: 

Town of Paradise

Diane Keough, Communications Manager,

dkeough@paradise.ca

SPCA St. John’s 

Karen Mahoney, Executive Director

director@spcastjohns.org