Stratham's SPCA Campaigns For Improved Animal Shelter Space

STRATHAM, NH — The SPCA in Stratham is getting ready to expand its facilities to bring their animal shelter to more humane standards, as well as provide equine space and veterinary services to pets whose owners have a hard time affording medical care for their animals. The organization is currently campaigning to raise money for the improvement project, and if all goes as planned, groundbreaking will take place this November. Construction will take approximately 18 months, according to SPCA.

"We believe that The Campaign for Changing Times will have a profoundly positive impact on animals in our community, said Dennison. "It will further enable the New Hampshire SPCA to be a community resource for all. We will be prepared to grow, adapt and serve for the next 20 years and beyond."

Included in the campaign, is the purchase of two properties next to the existing facility in Stratham, which will allow the shelter to expand from 5 acres to approximately 16 acres, according to SPCA. This expansion will allow for a newly constructed equine training area, as well as much-needed stalls and turnouts, SPCA officials say. A better play space and walking trails will also be put in place. Improvements will also include reorganizing SPCA's adoption area, with more flexible areas for improved housing, quarantine, intake and laundry.

One of the more exciting changes will be the veterinary wellness clinic that will provide subsidized care, according to SPCA officials. The clinic will provide care to animals that are not currently being seen by a veterinarian.

"There are many people who can not afford even the most basic care for the animals, and we want to assist them in serving the needs of their animals, keeping them healthy and in the homes of people who love them," SPCA officials said in a statement.

If all goes as planned, groundbreaking for the facility improvements will being Nov. 1. Construction will take approximately 18 months, SPCA officials said.

The public phase of the Campaign for Changing Times was announced Thursday during a press conference. SPCA President John Scott said planning for the campaign began in 2014, and the first big donation of $1 million was made in 2017. The co-chairs for the campaign are Josephine Lamprey and Karen Grover, both of whom have a long history with the organization.

"I am an animal lover and have been since childhood," said Lamprey. "I was proud to be involved in the last capital campaign in 1999, and I am even more proud to have helped lead this Campaign for Changing Times to such wonderful success."

Lisa Dennison, executive director of the New Hampshire SPCA, said the improvements to ber made with this campaign are aiming to adjust to the new challenges of the organization, including prolonged animal stays, increased surrender of equine and farm animals, and greater demand for adoptable animals. In addition, the organization is dealing with increased costs of veterinary care, an aging facility, and the need to bring the existing facility to more humane standards.

For more information, visit www.nhspca.org.