York County SPCA First in PA Adopted into Humane Alliance Program

Find out what the York County SPCA is doing to address the animal overpopulation program. It is the first in PA adopted into the Humane Alliance program, which boasts up to 75% reductions in euthanasia where adopted.

Did you know that Pennsylvania is second in the nation for rabies cases and that it leads the nation in the number of feral cats born and living outside the home – and rapidly multiplying? 

The York County SPCA has also become the first clinic in Pennsylvania to be adopted into a mentoring program offered by the Humane Alliance, a North Carolina-based clinic that boasts up to a 75% reduction rate in euthanasia and in animal intakes since offering a high-volume, high-quality low cost spay/neuter program that makes the surgical procedure more accessible and more affordable for local pet owners.

By opening a new and expanded clinic, the York County SPCA projects its spay/neuter volume can expand three-fold from approximately 5,000 currently to more than 18,000 annually. That will result in fewer unwanted births, fewer stray pets and fewer euthanasia deaths. 

The expansion of the spay/neuter clinic is especially timely as Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of rabid cats born in the wild.

Nearly two-thirds of all animals taken in are cats and three quarters of those are strays. The life span of feral cats is half that of a domesticated cat, they also prey on local wildlife, breed rapidly and carry disease. Spay/neutering is the most effective and most humane way to prevent the birth of unwanted animals forced to fend for life on their own. 

Spay/neutering is viewed as a more economical and humane solution to animal overpopulation. Of the more than 3,000 animals euthanized annually in York, 9 out of 10 are cats. Of dogs taken in, the top four breeds are pit bulls, Labrador retrievers, Chihuahuas and Jack Russell Terriers.

Did you know Boomer was born at the SPCA and was adopted
by the York Revolution at 6 weeks of age?As the first official mascot
for the local baseball team, today he is adored by many.

In June 2006, the York County SPCA opened a 17,000-square-foot facility designed to rescue unwanted pets – and reached capacity within just two weeks. The facility currently processes nearly 7,000 incoming animals each year, at a cost of approximately $215 per animal or $1.5 million total.

“I know that one day we will reach our dream of drastically decreasing the number of unwanted animals and the need for euthanasia,” notes the SPCA’s Executive Director Melissa Smith. “I have always been extremely proud to be a part of the York County SPCA. But now more than ever, I am filled with pride over the vision and dedication that has brought us to this pivotal point in our history.”

Under the Humane Alliance program – also recognized as the 2011 top non-profit by Philanthropedia – there’s a dual emphasis of adopting out more pets and preventing the rampant birth of unwanted animals that later face euthanasia. Since opening its doors in 1994, the nonprofit that focuses on high volume, high quality, low cost spay/neutering has surgically sterilized more than 265,000 animals in Western North Carolina as well as replicated its model nationwide through a hands-on strategic training program that addresses the urgent need for a skilled and well organized mentor to help guide other. In addition to its drastic reduction rates in euthanasia, there has been a corresponding drop in the need for animal intakes.

At the York County SPCA, more than 400 animals are returned to owners each year and more than 2,500 animals are adopted into homes either from the SPCA or by offsite partners such as PetSmart, the East York Veterinary Center, Petco, The Pet Shoppe or by rescue groups. In fact, off site adoptions through retail community partners doubled from 2011 to 2012.  

The York County SPCA is opening a new and expanded spay/neuter clinic that will allow it to perform more surgeries. They will celebrate with an open house on Saturday, Aug. 10, from noon-2 p.m. There will be a rabies vaccination clinic from 10-12 - as well as microchipping, for anyone interested. Stop by to tour the facility, meet staff, see the animals and take in the food and festivities. Location: 3159 Susquehanna Trail North in York, PA. 

For more information, visit the York County SPCA's website or Facebook page.