As the province enters Alert Level 3, an important channel of fundraising for animal rescue groups has been given the go-ahead to reopen.

While community organizations with retail operations are happy to be able to reopen, some are finding it especially tough to maintain enough volunteers.

Beagle Paws depends on its retail outlet on Symonds Avenue for raising money to cover vet and other expenses including the shelter in the Goulds, but the store has been closed for the past few months.

President Sheila Lewis says they will reopen in the next day or two but they have had to reduce hours because of a shortage of volunteers.

SPCA Eager to Reopen Thrift Shop

Although SPCA shelter locations are staying closed for the time being, the SPCA thrift shop on Elizabeth Avenue in St. John’s is preparing to re-open. The shop in St. John’s East opens its doors tomorrow morning.

The SPCA is looking to do a phased-in approach for the re-opening of its locations. The shop on 1062 Topsail Road should be open in the coming weeks.

For the meantime, the SPCA says its shelter remains closed as there is not enough room to maintain physical distancing. However, contactless adoptions are continuing.

Donations are being accepted once more, with the exception of open bags of food and used items—such as pet beds and used cat trees.