Leader credited with building the territory's first permanent SPCA shelter departs
The Yellowknife-based NWT SPCA has announced the departure of Nicole Spencer, who is stepping down as executive director after nearly 20 years with the charity. Current and former board members, staff and volunteers say Spencer’s tenure fundamentally reshaped animal welfare services across the Northwest Territories.
Under Spencer’s leadership, the organisation moved from an operation largely reliant on volunteers and temporary arrangements to one anchored by a permanent shelter in Yellowknife’s Engle Business District. That facility opened its doors in October 2012 following a multi-year fundraising campaign.
People who worked alongside Spencer pointed to the shelter as her most consequential achievement. It provides a year-round base for rescue work, intake and community programming — functions that advocates say were difficult to sustain before the facility existed.
“Nicole really wanted and felt that the NWT SPCA needed a building in order to serve the many, many dogs in the territory,”
— Karen Kuronen, former board member and long-time foster volunteer.
Jan Vallillee, another long-serving volunteer, described Spencer as a galvanizing force.
“She rallied a community and made things happen,”Vallillee said, crediting Spencer’s persistence with bringing the shelter project to fruition.
From grant seed to shelter doors
Fundraising for the permanent facility gained traction after the NWT SPCA secured a $300,000 grant through the Aviva Community Fund in 2010. That contribution helped launch the capital campaign that ultimately led to the construction and opening of the Yellowknife shelter two years later.
Volunteers and former directors say Spencer invested years of personal time and leadership into the project. Those efforts, they say, allowed the SPCA to expand rescue networks, deepen community partnerships and broaden animal-welfare programming across the territory.
Shelter capacity and staffing
The NWT SPCA’s website lists operational capacity and staffing details for the Yellowknife facility. The shelter’s ability to house animals and employ local staff has been a central part of Spencer’s legacy.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opened | October 2012 |
| Dog capacity | 32 |
| Cat capacity | 12 |
| Maximum employees | Up to 15 |
Impact across the Northwest Territories
Staff and volunteers said the shelter has allowed the SPCA to save thousands of animals since it began operating. Beyond intake and adoption, the organisation expanded programming — including foster networks and community outreach — to better serve smaller communities across the territory.
Randy Hilworth, a former board member who remains involved with the SPCA, described the shelter as the organisation’s defining accomplishment during Spencer’s years at the helm. He pointed to the length of time Spencer devoted to the charity as evidence of her commitment.
Transition and future questions
The organisation announced Spencer’s departure last week. The NWT SPCA has not released details about an interim director or the timeline for selecting a successor. Staff, volunteers and community partners will watch the transition closely; the new leadership will be tasked with sustaining the programs and partnerships built under Spencer’s tenure.
Those who worked with Spencer said her legacy is more than the building. They highlighted the growth of the volunteer base, the establishment of systems for intake and foster care, and strengthened ties between the SPCA and communities across the Northwest Territories.
- Permanent shelter: Opened October 2012 after a multi-year campaign.
- Capacity: Sits at 32 dogs and 12 cats, with up to 15 employees.
- Legacy: Expanded rescue networks, community partnerships and animal-welfare programming across the territory.
The NWT SPCA did not provide additional comment on the transition beyond its initial announcement. Former colleagues say Spencer’s work has set the organisation on a more stable footing as it prepares for new leadership.
Community members who want to support the shelter or learn more about volunteer and foster opportunities can consult the NWT SPCA’s official channels for current information and requests for assistance.
