Meet the poster pups for Delco sheltering dysfunction
Is there anything cuter than a bundle of rescued puppies in a wooden crate surrounded by caretakers and Christmas decorations? Nope. That's why we'd like to fastforward, as Charles Dickens did, to Christmas Future. Well not even that far ahead, how about Jan 1, two and a half weeks from now?
Meet the poster pups for Delco sheltering dysfunction
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
Is there anything cuter than a bundle of rescued puppies in a wooden crate surrounded by caretakers and Christmas decorations?
Nope.
They're named after Santa's reindeer no less. Cuteness.
That's why we'd like to fast forward, as Charles Dickens did, to Christmas Future. Well not even that far ahead, how about Jan 1, two and a half weeks from now?
That's when the Delaware County SPCA will close its doors to strays. The shelter's board voted last year to become a no-kill facility, so they will pick and choose the dogs and cats they take in.
So I asked Delco SPCA spokeswoman Justina Calgiano: What would happen to these shepherd/Lab mix puppies found by Good Samaritans by the side of Rte 291 in Chester, on Jan. 2?
She told me they be taken to a facility contracted by the local municipality to provide animal control.
Only, wait, the city of Chester has no animal control contract yet and it's Dec. 13.
We hear a handful of municipalities are making arrangements with vet clinics to house strays and the Chester County SPCA is stepping up to help, but for the bulk of Delaware County towns and boroughs, nada.
We hope these seven abandoned puppies find happy homes by Christmas. We just wonder what will happen to the wandering dogs of Delaware County on New Year's Day.
Not to mention the worst "customer service" ever. We called to make sure a dog was available, when told she was, we drove right down, but when we arrived the dog had been reserved days ago. So, we tried again, same thing, dog on hold days ago; my children were crying in the waiting room, again. So guess what? After trying to do the right thing, we went out and BOUGHT a puppy. Thanks delco spca, bet my children will never want to adopt, ever.— greatdogz- So sorry to read the above post - please, "greatdogz", don't be soured on the idea of adoption. It truly is the way to go - so sorry you got caught caught in the red tape/shuffle that sometimes comes with adoptions. Very troubling indeed.— fineprintJK1
- I also had a bad experience with the Delco SPCA, but unlike greatdogz I didn't contribute to the animal problem by buying a puppy. I persevered, did a little homework and found a reputable rescue organization that helped connect me with a dog. Delco SPCA needs to work on their customer service skills and give more thorough and detailed assessments of their animals. I'm glad I wound up with a happy ending, but it took a lot of grief to get there. Young puppies seem to get all the attention, anyway. There are plenty of good dogs, older puppies and adults who need homes.— PhlFlyGrl
- Blaming a rescue group as the reason you bought a puppy when you knew better is disgraceful. The Delco SPCA gave a year's notice they were stopping animal control, then a 6 month extension, and still the towns have nothing. Euthanizing adoptable animals isn't something a group of dedicated animal lovers should have to do- let the dirty work be done by the people that have to fund the establishment and maybe then the real problems stray animals face will be addressed. Caring for these animals properly costs a lot of money, and the Delco SPCA was taken advantage of for a long time. Now the job of animal control is being placed where it belongs and people are critical. Convenient they also criticize a high euthanasia rate and I venture to guess, the people criticizing donated nothing to help the cause. You know why? Because why would someone donate money knowing it's going to help put animals down? I applaud the Delco SPCA with their change and all the work they are doing to help animals.— Rescue Only
- How is the animal control situation Delco SPCA's fault when they gave tons of notice? I adopted a Pit from them recently that they cared about so much that it was palpable. My experience was great. The staff was amazing. Talk about "picking and choosing"-I was told my dog came from PSPCA. So, they brought a dog to their shelter that would have been euthanized elsewhere and is clearly not 'desirable' in the eyes of general public. Amy, you make them sound like they are elitist. Shame on you. Stop barking up the wrong tree. Delco municipalities are at fault. So...how about you write a story about their lack of movement?— JustClarifying
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- Pet Watch New Jersey
- Pet-Abuse.com
- PetMD
- Terrierman
- The Bark
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