Membership has its benefits
By Graham Culliford

For many years membership dues paid to the Sociedad Protectora de Animales (SPA) by its supporters were essentially charitable donations made by people who had at heart the welfare of the animals in our care. All that is about to change. Starting next week the SPA is instituting a program designed to provide a range of benefits available only to SPA members.

In an effort to reward existing members, and as the first part of a planned campaign to recruit new members and expand the number of supporters for the work done in our shelter and our clinic, SPA is launching the initial phase of its Member Benefits Program.

Broadly speaking, the program works like this. Recognizing that animal owners in San Miguel frequently avail themselves of the services of veterinarians, groomers and boarding facilities and need to purchase accessories, pet food and medicines for their animals, SPA has approached suppliers of services and goods in San Miguel and invited them to become part of SPA’s “Preferred Providers” program. Participants in the program have agreed to extend discounts on selected goods and services to SPA members. In return, SPA maintains a list of participants on our website (listing their names, addresses, hours of business, telephone numbers and typical discounts they offer on goods and services to members), publishes the list monthly in our electronic newsletter and provides a brochure to all members with the same information.

This program has required the issuance of membership cards to all current members, and all new members will receive one at their date of joining. We also are issuing decals to all participating businesses which identify them as part of the SPA Preferred Providers program. Look for it where you get your pet care.

Some restrictions for SPA members are that your card is non-transferable and it must be presented at the time you request a discount. Each year when you renew your membership, you will receive a new card. The cards are color coded to assist the merchants—green for 2009, red for 2010, etc.

We anticipate we will add more businesses in the upcoming months.

If you are a member and you haven’t yet received your membership card, call Dea Randall at 152-3751. She is in charge of issuing cards. If you want to become a member to take advantage of this program, call and she will arrange for you to join SPA.

If your business would like to participate in the Preferred Providers program, call Graham Culliford at 154-9492 or email graham@spasanmiguel.org.  
 

The SPA thanks the San Miguel businesses that have agreed to be our partners in this program. We are grateful for their assistance, knowing that it is grounded in a recognition that homeless dogs and cats can’t go uncared for and that an animal health care facility for low-income families can recognize their needs, yet tailor their needs to their means.