SPCA book sale an effort to expand volunteer base, public support for shelter, services

BY SARA KEDDY

Kings County Register

Volunteer Kim Lipscombe has the prerequisites for a new SPCA fundraiser.

“I like books, I like cats – and I can help,” she says.

The Burlington woman figures she’s taken in 20 SPCA cats over the past few decades, and she’s a member of the Kings County branch of the animal care group.

“I have three cats now: that’s one of the reasons I’m working so hard for the SPCA – there’s only so many I can keep.”

Lipscombe volunteered to set up a fundraising book sale in the Western Kings area. The Kings branch’s annual book sale in New Minas make s a good dent in the group’s annual operating costs, and raises public awareness of the need for more interest in abandoned and rescued animals.

With anew shelter built – but not yet open – in Waterville, the SPCA needs a broader base.

“There is lots of interest in Eastern Kings, but this shelter is for the whole county, and we need more people involved.”

The book sale October 18 in Kingston is a combination fundraiser and PR event. Lipscombe has a basement full of books ready to go, and she’s gotten offers of help from the village Lions – hosting the sale in their hall, West Kings students, friends and others to help lug them to the sale, sort them the night before and man the day-long event, running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“”We’ve got 1,000-plus books – self-help, food, children’s…. Hardcovers are $1, softcovers are 50 cents, kids’ books are 25 cents and you can buy a box of old books, even from the 1800s, for $5. By 4 p.m., we’ll have deep, deep discounts.”

Any money raised will go right to the SPCA, which needs to generate an operating fund to open its shelter. Once it’s running, volunteers will continue offering their time and talents, but there will be staff and operating expenses the group has never had before to meet the need of caring for local animals.

“There’s no reason to pay big money for a pet – the SPCA is a great place to find a pet that’s socialized, healthy – and you feel good.

“A cat gives you back a lot of entertainment, and it’s nice to have someone snuggle in your lap that doesn’t weigh 200 pounds!”

Buy a book

Who: Kings County SPCA

What: Fundraising book sale

When: Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Kingston Lions Hall

Why: to get the SPCA’s new shelter open and caring for the county’s abandoned pets