County Plans New Stray Animal Facility

“We’re closer now than we’ve ever have been,” Delaware County Councilman Mario J. Civera, Jr. said concerning county municipalities’ efforts to find a non-profit to run an animal shelter to manage strays from towns and citizens.

Delaware County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will no longer accept strays after June 30. In September 2010, the SPCA notified municipal governments via letter citing loss of money and plans to become a no-kill shelter, Civera said.

Diane Smith, of Bethel Township, asked council for an update on the animal control situation during it’s meeting Tuesday, June 7, noting that the SPCA deadline was only 22 days away.

“Within the next week we will have a positive idea,” Civera said.

The Consortium of Governments (COG), a non-political group of township managers that advise municipal governments, is negotiating a lease for a plot of land in Sharon Hill owned by the Darby Joint Creek Authority for a new 8,000-10,000 square-foot facility, Civera said.

The proposed location is on Calcon Hook Road, across from the Delaware County Emergency Training Center.

Members of the training center and the Delaware County AFL-CIO have agreed to build the proposed new shelter.

Once contractual agreements between the training center and the Darby Township sewer authority are finalized, “We will have a plan and publicly ask for an extension with the SPCA,” Civera said.

“If the SPCA says ‘no’, we have back-up plans,” Council Chairman John J. Whelan added. 

Civera said municipalities aim to have the facility complete by November 2011.

“This could be a model program for other counties that have the same problem,” he said. “No other Pennsylvania county has taken this approach."

Smith was skeptical.

“Do you really think a model facility can be created in that time?” she asked.

There is a lot to be done. 

“That’s why we’re on the fast track. We need an extension (with the SPCA) to get to October,” Civera said. “We are going to try to expedite this as much as possible.”

Over the next month, a council-appointed non-profit board needs to be formed; COG has been in discussion with architects, labor unions and several interested non-profits, he said.

“I don’t think the county can do it directly; we need to get the right people working on it,” Civera said.

He said using a non-profit is preferred because they are able to accept donations to drive the cost down for taxpayers.

Civera noted the county would not run the new facility but rather individual municipalities can opt in to participate.

“We hope they all participate,” he said.

Civera lauded Springfield Police Chief Joseph Daly’s involvement in communicating the county’s needs to the SPCA. Daly did a live stream sit down with the SPCA over the winter.

Citing his background as a state legislator, Civera said, “The dog law needs to be addressed and changed.” Current state law holds municipalities responsible for managing stray dogs. He is a former member of the state House of Representatives for the 164th Legislative District.

“It’s a complex issue with accountability and public safety concerns,” Civera concluded.