FORT ST. JOHN -- The North Peace SPCA has moved into a new permanent facility two years after closing it’s old location due to structural issues that made the building unsafe for staff and animals.

The non-profit signed a three-year lease for the building at 10503 89th Avenue in Fort St. John last year, and did a partial re-opening on March 12 by appointment only.

“There are still some ongoing construction needs at the new location, so we are asking the public to make an appointment before coming to visit. Our lobby and cat adoption rooms are ready to go, but we aren’t set up to house dogs quite yet,” said Jamey Blair, BC SPCA’s Senior Manager of Animal Care Services.

The new centre will feature a large indoor exercise area for dogs to ensure cold weather won’t inhibit care, new play areas, and new cat adoption rooms.

“After experiencing delays with both our facility search to find a new location within the required zoning and building constraints impacting our construction timelines, we are eager to welcome the public back in person,” said Blair.

In addition to pet adoption, the location will offer animal protection services, intake and stray kenneling for animals in Fort St. John.

The North Peace SPCA says that despite not having a physical location last year, they were still able to take more than 550 animals into care, reunite 120 stray animals with their owners, and find home for 127 pets.

The SPCA says they also responded to 236 calls for animal protection services.

“We are so grateful to our community partners whose support meant we could continue offering services to the North Peace community,” said Blair.