The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals needs cash to pay for extensions at its Paget shelter which is fast running out of space.

The shelter is currently full to capacity with homeless animals who have been abandoned by their owners.

At present there are 31 cats, 16 kittens, four dogs, and a goat which was bought in by Government vets, at the shelter.

SPCA Inspector Mr. Louis Ray told The Royal Gazette that the Society, which depends strictly on donations from the public, was having financial difficulties.

Support from the public has been waning of late, due, in part, to people's misinterpretations about the services the shelter provides.

"People tend to think that we only put down animals here but that is not the case,'' Mr. Ray said. "We provide a tremendous service here and people should know more about us.'' The partial boycott of last year's tag day, when some people believed the SPCA was refusing to take in wild cats, did not help the shelter's fund-raising efforts.

"Most of the wild cats that are not adopted are given to the Bermuda Feline Assistance Bureau.'' said Mr. Ray, "Many of the dogs brought to us come from Government dog wardens Shinah Symonds and Jeffrey Benevides who hold them for four days before bringing them here.'' He said the Society did very little actual picking up of animals but relied mainly on members of the public.

Mr. Ray has been with the SPCA for 21 years. Along with his assistant Mr.

Tracy Bean, he is on call 24 hours a day.

"People usually call our office to find out about bringing in an animal or finding one to adopt,'' said SPCA office worker Mrs. Joanne Geamey. "They also call to get information about their pets when they are sick.'' Mrs. Geamey, Mrs. Hilda Matos and Mrs. Rose Ray man the office during the day.

Once an animal is bought to the SPCA, it must first go through the observation quarters for one week.

This area is equipped with a medical room to enable the vet to perform examinations and tests, and an isolation room for any sick animals.

Cats and kittens are tested for feline AIDS and leukaemia as well as other diseases. Once they have been given a clean bill of health the kittens go straight through to the main kennel while the adult cats, if need be, are spayed or neutered.

When inside the main kennel the animals are put in booths bearing relevant information for anyone wishing to adopt.

There is a lecture room inside the main kennel which is used for school tours and other educational purposes.

There is also an indoor horse stable and a small paddock.

Funds are needed to supply the shelter with: A kitchen area in the main kennel; An office in the same building; Two additional horse stables; A dog run, two cat runs and two runs for goats and calves; A new fenced-off area for a horse paddock; An extension to the observation kennel for another sick bay; and Four puppy kennels in the main building.; Among other needed items that would assist the SPCA are towels and blankets.

Anyone interested in adopting an animal should contact the SPCA for information anytime during the day.

The Society also reminds people that it is important to ensure that their pets are spayed or neutered.

Photos by Tony Cordeiro FORLORN FELINE -- Ace, one of the adorable cats at the SPCA shelter, takes it easy in his temporary home, above.

BEHIND BARS -- Goldie, one of the homeless animals being cared for at the SPCA shelter in Paget, left.