B.C. SPCA closes Quesnel branch indefinitely after 'significant damage' from heavy rainfall

The B.C. SPCA has indefinitely closed itsQuesnellocation following what it describes as "significant damage" to the branch's building caused by heavy rains last month.

In aFacebook postTuesday, the animal welfare organization says its roof hadcollapsed, and staff are assessing the damage to determine their next steps.

The 40-year-old Quesnel branchat 1000 Carson Pit Road is one ofthree locations servingtheCariboo region,the other two being inWilliams Lake and 100 Mile House.

For people who want to surrender animals to the shelter, the SPCA recommends theyvisit the nearest branches in Williams Lake to the south, at 709 Bond Lake Road, orPrince George to the north,at 4011 Landsdowne Road.

Quesnel was one of the areas impacted by heavy downpourslast month, which prompted flood warningsfrom the River Forecast Centre.

The SPCA says despite the closure, its staff members continue towork off-site to answer questions and help find solutions to animal welfare issues.

"In the meantime, we are working to provide services for animals who would otherwise be cared for at our facility," the organization wrote in its Facebook post.

The organization says for stray dogs and other animal control issues, people should contact the City of Quesnel at 250-922-2111 or bylaw@quesnel.ca.

To contact otherSPCAlocations nearby for help, people living in Quesnel can call:

• Williams Lake:250-392-2179
• Prince George: 250-562-5511
• 100 Mile House: 250-395-5303