BY MICHAEL-ALLAN MARION
EXPOSITOR STAFF / BRANTFORD

The skies threatened to pour down upon Sunday's 15th annual Brant County SPCA fundraising walkathon in Mohawk Park, but 65 dog owners and their pets were undeterred.

By Sunday afternoon, the Friends For Life Walkathon was well on its way toward its $17,000 goal to support the operations of the SPCA's shelter on Mohawk Street.

Meanwhile, Kuchma said plans are moving along well for the SPCA's new shelter, which will be built at the edge of the proposed Oak Park North industrial and commercial mega-development on Oak Park Road, just north of Highway 403.

Developer King and Benton has donated four acres of its 450-acre holdings to the SPCA. The shelter will be built on a small portion that is on the Brant County side.

The Six Nations firm Two Row Architects has been contracted to undertake the new shelter's design. The firm is preparing a preliminary design to help the agency determine its required size and cost.

Kuchma said she is grateful that King and Benton and president Steve Charest stepped in to help the agency find a new home to replace its cramped, obsolete shelter.

"They're always very supportive of us," she said.