In 2010, there was a public appeal to help the organisation move into new premises after the shelter in Stuart St failed an SPCA inspection.
SPCA Otago executive officer Sophie McSkimming said the SPCA and Vetlife were waiting for the Waitaki District Council to change Vetlife's resource consents so the service could go ahead.
Once approval has been received, Ms McSkimming expects animals will be kept locally rather than transported to Dunedin.
She expected what she called the ''temporary'' measure to be in place for about 12 months.
A building from Omarama was going to be shifted to Oamaru to become the permanent North Otago base but due to earthquake damage to Vetlife Ashburton's facilities, the building was sent to Mid Canterbury instead.
Ms McSkimming still expects that building to become available and for the SPCA to make it its Waitaki home.
She thanked the community for being patient and supportive of the animal welfare service during its time of transition.
