The Kings Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) may move into a new facility by 2008 after receiving a 10-acre land and facilities donation at its annual Tachi Palace fundraising luau on Saturday.

"These 10 acres will be a sanctuary for all creatures in need, a safe haven for those animals waiting for adoption," said Niki Fischer, president of the Kings SPCA board of directors. "Every day is a struggle for us to make ends meet, but this ensures us a wonderful future."

The donation was given by Makiji "Mac" Hase and his wife Ruth Hase, who also live on the property. Also in attendance to announce the donation were relatives of the couple, David Matsuura, Ruth Hase Matsuura, Marlene Tamashio and Timmy Tamashiro.

"(Hase) has been an animal advocate for years and years," Fischer said. "He used to go down to our facility once a week to help out in any way that he could. This has been his and his wife's dream."

The fenced-in property on the corner of 16 1/2 and Grangeville Boulevard will give the Kings SPCA access to 10 state-of-the-art kennels, a commercial-sized warehouse, two homes and a variety of fruit and nut trees, according to Fischer.

"I filled with tears when we took a tour over there," SPCA manager Summer Headley said. "It is absolutely amazing and something that we needed desperately. A lot of planning still needs to be done, but there are no words to describe a gift like that."

The extent to which the property will be used is still being discussed by the board of directors, as the land currently lacks an office for the staff to use and additional facilities will need to be built.

Whether or not the SPCA will relocate entirely to the property or will keep both locations open for different purposes is also being debated.

"Unfortunately, we can't just start work over there," Headley said. "A lot still needs to be discussed."

The current facility on East Lacey and Highway 43 recently finished construction on a new dog run, which was donated on behalf of the Tachi Palace Casino by General Manager Willie Barrios.

"The dogs are finally able to get out of their kennels and cages to exercise," Fischer said. "Willie has been a huge help to us, donating the food at our luaus and sponsoring our Christmas tree in December. We need people like him."

The new location will more than quadruple the size of the current SPCA center, which only occupies roughly 1 to 2 acres of land.

"Every donation we get is important," Fischer said. "We do not euthanize animals here. Many people confuse us with organization that do, but the only time we put down an animal is when the veterinarian recommends it.

"We are grateful to all of the people in Hanford that contribute to our caring for homeless animals. The citizens of Hanford are the only family these animals have."

The reporter can be reached at 582-0471, ext. 3048.

(Oct. 8, 2007)