Purr Love Pet Food Pantry - February 8th!

 

A Little Bit About Us

We realized we’ve never really shared our story in the newsletter—so here’s a little about us! We’re Rich and Lisa Small. In addition to being cat (and occasional dog) rescuers and fosters, we’re parents of three remarkable adult children and grandparents to three precious grandchildren.

We love our family, are lifelong musicians, deeply connected to our community, and committed to making a difference through Delco Loves Animals. As followers of Jesus Christ, our faith guides us every day in all aspects of our lives—not just on Sundays. Lisa is a cancer survivor (since 2004), and one day, in her spare time, she hopes to write a book about that extraordinary experience that wound up being a blessing to her and many others. She is a health and wellness advocate who is unafraid to challenge convention and remain true to her convictions, even when met with resistance, which she has over the past 21 years. Rich has spent decades helping people as an auto sales and leasing consultant, bringing experience, care, and guidance to every customer interaction.

Together, as husband and wife and business partners, we are the Rich Small Team, bringing our real estate and property investment experience to our clients with integrity, care, and faith-guided purpose. Lisa has been a licensed agent since 2002, has done property management, and has a background in mortgage underwriting. Rich has been licensed since 2017. Lisa has a background in mortgage underwriting. Together, we have extensive hands-on experience rehabbing properties and many years as landlords, giving us a practical, well-rounded understanding of the real estate process from every angle.

One of our signature projects is The Dayton House, a property we’ve owned since 2005. After a full gut renovation, it’s now being transformed into an Airbnb—a project that reflects our passion for breathing new life into properties and creating spaces that truly matter.

Through our work in real estate, investing, and community service, we love sharing our knowledge and creativity while making a meaningful impact for both our clients and the communities we serve.

Stay Connected with Rich & Lisa

DelcoLovesAnimals@gmail.com

https://linktr.ee/richsmallteam

🎙 Listen to our podcast:

Small Talk with Rich & Lisa

Do you have a story to share? Be our guest and turn your experiences into more than just “Small Talk.” Get in touch!

When “No Kill” Doesn’t Mean What We Think It Means

What do you think of when you hear the words, “No Kill?” 

Many people don’t realize that “No Kill,” as in No Kill shelters, does not literally mean that no animals are ever euthanized. The term itself is often misunderstood. But what we want to talk about here goes deeper than definitions—it points to what we believe may be a systemic issue within the animal welfare and rescue world.

Nathan Winograd, founder of the No Kill Advocacy Center and a longtime advocate for truly No Kill communities, has repeatedly challenged animal advocates to look more closely at the practices of large, well-known organizations. His work encourages transparency and asks us to question assumptions we may have accepted without scrutiny.

Just this morning we received an article by Winograd that we found deeply disturbing. In it, he discusses PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals)—an organization many people believe exists solely to protect animals—and presents evidence that the organization euthanizes a significant number of animals. These are serious claims, and they are not easy to absorb. His article includes documentation and public records that shed light on practices many advocates may not be aware of.

One detail that stood out was a photo of a postcard Winograd states he received from PETA, in which the organization says, “We do not advocate ‘right to life’ for animals.” Seeing those words attributed directly to PETA was jarring and raised important questions. (A photo of the postcard can be viewed here.)

Wanting to better understand this issue, we looked further into the matter using publicly available information. What we found appears to support the core facts presented in Winograd’s article—that PETA does, in fact, euthanize animals at rates far higher than most people realize.

This leads to difficult but necessary questions, particularly regarding their own philosophy and consistency about their advocacy for Veganism. If killing animals for food is considered unacceptable, how is killing animals for other reasons justified? These are not questions meant to provoke outrage, but to encourage honest reflection. We hope those at PETA will reflect on that truth and examine themselves.

As animal advocates, we believe it’s our responsibility to ask hard, including controversial questions, even when the answers challenge long-held beliefs. Transparency, accountability, and truth matter—especially when animals’ lives are at stake. Blind loyalty to any organization helps no one. Informed advocacy, however, can help drive real change. We all have to decide for ourselves what we can accept and live with. But we can't make an informed decision about this important subject when we don't know or have all the facts. Now we have them. 

Inside Our Volunteer Meeting from January 5, 2026 & More

Please be aware that the outline from MS WORD did not transfer properly to this platform.

Keeping Delco updated:

The Don Guanella Petition still needs 2254 signatures and the Protect the Paws: Change the Law Petition only needs 85 more! Thanks for helping us get signatures!

We decided that we have Zoom meetings every third Monday of each month we will keep those going and hold in-person meetings quarterly.  I’d like to invite you (and anyone you know who would be interested) to REGISTER for our next Zoom meeting which will be on Monday, January 19th. Once you register you do not need to register again, unless otherwise stated.

I’d also like to invite you to Humane Lobby Day in Harrisburg on Monday, May 4! The event will run from 9 AM to 3 PM (more information to come)! 

The role of Delco Loves Animals

Delco Loves Animals will work toward establishing a statewide spay and neuter voucher program for Pennsylvania and will assist in facilitating the necessary steps to create an Animal Welfare Center for Delaware County. Community involvement is imperative and necessary.

The goal of an Animal Welfare Center is to:

• Help reduce the stray pet population by
• Providing intake for strays and owner surrenders
• Providing low- and no-cost spay & neuter services to those who can’t afford it and to stray animals and animals surrendered by their owners

A Statewide Spay & Neuter Voucher Program

Ø  Through my contact at the Humane World For Animals (formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Humane Society International (HSI), I have been put in contact with someone who I will be working with to get started on a spay/neuter voucher program. I will also be contacting State Rep Heather Boyd about the following:

o   If we could get it, a state budget allocation is ideal
o   Pet food surcharge on companies selling pet food in the state (see Summerlee Foundation)
o   Income tax or vehicle registration check off programs (these are usually easiest to pass because they're voluntary but may not generate enough funding)

o   PA has a license plate program to generate funding through the New Spay Neuter License Plate – I’ve been put in contact with someone to work on this

Ø   If you know a State Rep, Congressman/woman or any legislators, please let us know and help us get in touch with them.

The Former Don Guanella Site

Ø                  The Petition

·        Signatures Needed: We still need 2,259 signatures to reach the goal to move forward.

·        Press Conference: Once we reach 5,000 signatures, we will hold a press conference.

o   If anyone has suggestions for a location, please share.

o   We will need prominent voices from Delco to speak at the event.

o   We will need to contact newspapers and TV news stations. If you or someone you know has media connections, please help us get in touch.

·        Local Municipality Meetings

o   We will need representatives from each municipality to present at public meetings

o   We will provide a script

o   The goal is to direct the municipality funds for animal control to the Animal Welfare Center in order to centralize intake and provide animal control services throughout Delco

§  This will provide relief to residents and animals as there will be one remedy when someone finds a stray animal or needs to surrender their pet

Start contacting successful 501(c)3’s who may be willing to expand (Providence Animal Center (PAC), Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA), Forgotten Cats, PA SPCA, Rescues/Shelters, etc.

•  What About Municipalities That Don’t Provide Animal Control?
• This will need to be carefully considered and discussed in order to come up with a solution
• Come up with a plan that no municipality can refuse

• Discuss with animal control companies

·        County Council Meetings: After the press conference, we will need large groups to attend County Council meetings to show support.

o   Regular county council public meetings are held:

§  1st & 3rd Wednesdays each month at 6:00 PM (January – May)

§  1:00 PM (June – December)

§  Location: 1st Floor, Government Center Building, 201 West Front Street, Media, PA

o   We will need the advice from professionals for our presentations and for attending meetings, including:

• Lawyers
• Architects
• Structural Engineers
• Contractors
• Inspectors
• Accountants
• Any other professionals who can provide expertise in determining if the building can work

§  We will need to find out how and when to go about obtaining inspection reports for the buildings from the county (they

§  already had these done), and any other pertinent information we’ll need

§  If anyone knows of any professionals who would be willing to contribute their advice pro bono, please let us know. Let them know this is a community effort for the county and not a “for profit” business

o   Convincing County Council: Once we convince the county council that the old Don Guanella site is the perfect location for an Animal Welfare Center, then we can

§  We will need to determine which building would be most useful

§  We will need the proper professionals to help us review the inspection reports

§  We will need the proper professionals and contractors to determine the amount of repairs and renovations it will cost just to get the building safe, repaired and up to code

·        Marple Township

o   Prepare to request zoning variance request (Marple Township) – we will need an attorney for this

o   Go to Marple Township for zoning variance. We will need a large group to attend

·        After Building & Variance Approval

o   Once the building is promised and the zoning variance is approved, we will need to decide on the following:

§  A name for the building – A possibility is Delco Loves Animals

§  Determine what the most important services are

§  Intake of strays and owner surrenders

§  Holding area for strays and surrenders

§  Flea/Ear Mite/Worm treatment

§  Bathing area

§  Pet Food Pantry

§  TNR

§  Transportation to clinics for spay/neuter services for TNR and strays

§  Fosters

§  Adoption Center – This needs to be a huge focus - The goal is to have one adoption center that can be utilized by all rescues/shelters in the county

§  Centralized computer system where rescues and shelters can share what their availability is for fostering

§  Receive proposals from successful 501(c)3 non-profit rescues/shelters that are willing to expand

• Form a committee to interview, review their books/records and approve/choose the best candidate(s)
• Work on specifications and renovation details with proper professionals and 501(c)3 non-profit(s) who will (can be more than one)
• Required licenses will be obtained by the 501(c)3 non-profit(s)

Other things to consider:

1.       Form a coalition NOW between rescues, shelters, clinics, veterinarians, fosters, colony feeders, trappers, etc. in order to form a cohesive bond between all those involved with the effort to help reduce the stray pet population in Delco and to bring relief to residents who are exhausted due to taking it upon themselves to try and be part of the solution.

2.     We will need legal and CPA advice regarding whether or not

a.    A new non-profit will be formed that the 501(c)3’s will operate under or if they will operate separately under their own 501(c)3

b.    The 501(c)3’s will have ownership in the Animal Welfare Center or pay rent

c.     The Animal Welfare Center will be a source of income for the municipalities and/or the county to help reduce property taxes

                                                    i.     Rent office space to animal-related businesses

3.     Depending on how much space is available in the building, it may be possible to rent space to animal-related businesses at the Animal Welfare Center

a.    Animal Control

b.    Spay/neuter clinic

c.     Dog training

d.    Adoption Café for cats and dogs

e.     Pet Store

f.       And others

4.     Create target dates as we go along as it pertains to the building and the center to help stay on track

5.     Funding – we will need to do fundraising, find grant writers, obtain donors, hold events, etc.

Please Note: This outline is not exhaustive. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or feedback regarding any of the points included, we would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Thank you!