New Placer SPCA animal care center opens

A long-term dream and vision has officially been realized in Roseville: Placer SPCA unveiled its highly anticipated new Veterinary and Foster Care Center for the community to see on Saturday, Jan. 31. The new facility is expected to play a pivotal role in improving the lives of thousands of animals in the region. The facility stands adjacent to the existing Placer SPCA adoption center at 200 Tahoe Avenue. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate its opening. "It's a dream come true!" exclaimed Leilani Fratis, chief executive officer for the Placer SPCA and a key driver of this accomplishment. "It's so exciting that we've been able to complete this project." The facility is an 8,800 square-foot state-of-the-art care center which will allow Placer SPCA to offer more services to animals and pet owners than ever before. Now, they can offer affordable spay and neuter services, vaccinations, medical and dental procedures and much more. "We're going to be able to provide the best of care for the shelter animals that come in sick or injured, and we're going to be able to expand the care we are able to provide to our community and their beloved pets so we can make sure that people have access to affordable wellness care for their own pets," said Fratis. This facility glow-up and radical upgrade was much-needed as the community grows and sadly, the number of animals being surrendered or ending up homeless continues to increase. The former animal care center used by Placer SPCA until now was created in 2007 and had cramped, limited space for surgeries and exams. What that meant was difficult prioritization: If they had a day where they provided vaccinations or neutering procedures, this meant animals in their shelter could not receive services at the same time. Now, they can do it all, and under one roof. "We're going to be able to be more efficient and the care is going to be more affordable. Because where we used to have to turn to private practice vets for certain services, like X-rays, we actually have a brand new X-ray machine on site, so that's not necessary to do any longer," explained Fratis. "We don't have to put an animal in a vehicle, drive them to a private practice veterinarian, get that X-ray done, bring them back here, wait for the results and then figure out how to treat them. We can do it all right here on site. So that means we can do even more and even better right here in this facility." With the new Veterinary and Foster Care Center, Placer SPCA anticipates being able to quadruple spay and neuter surgeries to help control the animal population and prevent animal homelessness, speed medical care for shelter animals, provide a safer, more comfortable recovery space for animals after procedures and much more, said Fratis. The other momentous part of the new facility: It was built debt free, thanks to donations from the community. Fratis said the $13 million care center opens without loans to pay off or interest payments. Any donations from now moving forward will go toward other services and programs offered by the shelter for animals and their families. The community was invited to tour the new center; volunteers were on hand to walk people through the various sections of the facility, from the shiny new dental care area to the surgery and recovery spaces and an isolation ward for contagious animals. Fratis said a huge amount of thought and care went into the building of this facility, and she's proud to say it stands as an example for others. "We're setting the tone for animal welfare - in our community, throughout the state, nationally and even internationally. We've had international veterinarians and students come visit our adoption and education center, and I'm sure we'll have others come and start to visit our veterinary and foster care center, wanting to see how they can replicate what we've been able to accomplish in their own communities," Fratis said with pride. "And I certainly hope that they do. Because animals need this. And the people who love them need this as well. So I really want this for every community and if we can set an example, I'm proud to do that."