Heavy snow on the roof of the SPCA in Sydney is forcing officials to evacuate the shelter.

Ceilings and beams are starting to bow underneath the weight, and there is fear of the roof collapsing.

“We currently have 45 animals in the shelter and staff taking care of them. We need to look out for their safety,” says Elizabeth Murphy, Nova Scotia SPCA CEO. “Our shelter is showing the signs of age and wear, we can not take this risk.”

All animals have been removed from the area of highest concern.

Of the 45 animals in the shelter, there are:
-19 Dogs (adult and puppies)
-25 Cats
-1 Rabbit

Staff have been sent from Dartmouth to help remove the animals from the Cape Breton Shelter.

The animals will be triaged and placed in other shelters across the province until it is safe to return.

The SPCA is working with a contractor who is trying to pull together a crew to safely remove the snow and ice.

At this time a re-opening date for the Cape Breton SPCA Shelter and veterinary hospital has not been determined and the cost of repairs to fortify the shelter is undetermined.

The Nova Scotia SPCA is working on plans for a new shelter in Sydney, to replace the current East Broadway building built in 1977. Residents who might want to help with the current crisis or support a new Cape Breton building for the SPCA please visit novascotiaspca.ca/helpnow/.

The public is asked to not travel to the shelter, and the veterinary hospital will be re-booking clients when it is safe to do so.