NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk SPCA on Ballentine Boulevard is receiving help from the community after a pipe burst above the building’s boiler room, temporarily knocking out water and heat. Meantime, the Virginia Beach SPCA off Holland Road has no running water due to a frozen, damaged pipe.
SPCA managers say the pets and volunteers are fine, although the damage is creating a major financial setback.
In Norfolk, volunteers and staff spent their Christmas night cleaning up the mess, a good Samaritan helped shut off the water, and then Norfolk Fire-Rescue responded to investigate smoke after crews turned the boiler back on.
“As soon as we opened the kennel door, we could hear the water gushing. It sounded like a waterfall,” described Suzy Swims, Animal Support and Outreach Manager for Norfolk SPCA.
The shelter put out a call to the community for donations of blankets since the heat wasn't working properly.
"That’s why we had such a backup on all of our laundry because we were making sure all of our animals have at least four blankets, each one of them. And we have over 100 animals right now," stated Tammy Lindquist, Community Engagement Manager for Norfolk SPCA.
Meanwhile, in Virginia Beach, the shelter hasn't been able to do laundry because it has no running water due to a damaged, exterior pipe.
"We have a crew out there now that’s working on fixing the main part of the pipe that is broken," said Kate Baldwin, Virginia Beach SPCA Chief Operations Officer. "We’re hoping that will be fixed today and at that point, we’ll understand if there’s further damage further down the line."
Baldwin said that for now, they're giving the animals bottled water to drink and they're accepting linen donations.
Both managers say that with non-profit organizations, every penny counts, and costly repairs like these are tough.
You can donate money to Norfolk SPCA online at this link. And for more information on what's needed at Virginia Beach SPCA, click here for the latest.
