A $1 million bequest to the Tauranga SPCA by Tauranga woman Betty Napier more than seven years ago is finally being used with a major extension and revamp of its facilities well under way.
Operations manager Margaret Rawiri said the renovations included a major building extension which should be finished and ready for occupation by July 1. She said the long-awaited renovations and improvements to the shelter would result in the animals being housed in far bigger facilities, including a much more spacious cat adoption area, better quarantine and disease control, better reception and staff offices, and an education room.
Mrs Rawiri said: "It is so wonderful to see the project we have all been waiting a very long time to get off the ground, finally happening.
"It's very exciting and we know this would never have been possible without the very generous [gift] by Mrs Napier and we're all so grateful to her."
In the largest single donation to the Tauranga SPCA, Avenues woman Betty Napier, 88, who died on January 5, 2005, gave $1million to the animal welfare organisation.