Federal budget cut reaches Labrador SPCA

The 2012 federal budget decision to cut funding to Katimavik will have an impact on the SPCA in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Itrelied on participants from the youth volunteer group to operate.

SPCA president Lee Hill says the end ofKatimavik will be tough on theanimal shelter'sonly employee and volunteers in central Labrador

"It may be harder on some of us, having to give up our lunch times or even the night shifts that are coming in. There'll probably be less stuff done," Hill said. "The main thing is keeping the shelter clean. A clean shelter is a healthy shelter."

Hill said that while the SPCA is losing volunteers, young people are also missing an opportunity to have valuable learning experience.

More than 30,000 young people have participated in Katimavik since the program began in 1977. The program was cut by Brian Mulroney's PC government and reinstated by the Liberals.