Pamela Lawson - file

The Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) is in search of a new home as they seek to relocate from their current shelter at 10 Winchester Road, St Andrew.

The animal care provider has been operating at their Winchester Road office since 1990 on land owned by a quasi-governmental entity but have been given notice to seek another location.

"They have given us more than ample notice. Our problem is trying to identify a permanent home for JSPCA where it is central," Pamela Lawson, managing director of the entity, said.

The JSPCA is a registered charity that was founded in 1904 by Lady Lumb and boasts the only animal hospital in the island that treats animals whether or not their owners are able to pay for services rendered.

"The original home was on Spanish Town Road by Collie Smith Drive, right by May Pen Cemetery. We're 110 years old this year ... we left there because we needed to keep getting clients," Lawson joked.

Now the entity finds itself in a similar predicament as it seeks to find a location that is centrally located to ensure accessibility to all their clients.

"Our biggest problem is to find somewhere where we don't disturb others, where we are not a nuisance but it is central to everybody else."

Lawson added that, "We are tired of moving because we can't just move JSPCA overnight.We desperately need to find a new home ... it needs to be accessible to everybody who will need our help."

"I definitely need to be in Kingston. I really do. If I go too far downtown, I'm going to be at a disadvantage again. I don't want to go too uptown because I don't want to be away from those who need our help."

"Where we are has worked out beautifully because we are near Half-Way Tree so it's easy for persons to get transport here."

"It has to be in a commercial area and that drives up the price. We can't go any and everywhere like every other vet clinic because we're a shelter and a vet clinic. Our criteria are huge.We need space. We need to be accessible and most importantly of all, we need to be able to afford it."

Lawson said that attempts to receive Government assistance have proven futile.

"We have tried to see if we can get Government assistance to help locate properties but we have had no joy so far. Yet, we have removed all the animals from hospitals, schools, Government ministries and agencies, we remove them free of cost."

" ... Yet, when you ask if there's any property you can get a long lease on, we're told no."

Anyone who can assist the JSPCA in identifying a new location in short order is being asked to contact (876) 929-0320 or Fax: (876) 754-4594.