The federal government is pitching in $800,000 to help put the finishing touches on the new SPCA shelter in east end St. John’s.

Metro MP Joanne Thompson made the announcement Friday afternoon.

The site, on East White Hills Road, will replace the existing shelter and double its capacity.

Executive Director Karen Mahoney says demand has spiked for their services, and has led to a waitlist to take in new animals.

“We’ve definitely outgrown it. Our lunchroom serves as a place for dog assessments. We do sleepovers down there when there’s storms. Any animals with issues, we take them down there and work with them,” she told reporters.

“The space itself is phenomenal in comparison. It’s a very small facility, and we just can’t continue working the way we’re working at that facility.”

The building is set to open later this year.