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Delaware County People & Pets Need Help—We Can’t Wait Any Longer - PART 3

New York Takes Bold Action — Now Pennsylvania Must Follow

In November 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $10 million in funding is available to support animal shelter improvements across her state through the Companion AnimalCapital Fund — the eighth round of this pioneering program. This state-run initiative provides grants for urgent capital projects such as kennel renovations, medical facility upgrades, HVAC and safety system improvements, and expansions that increase shelter capacity and animal welfare. Of the total, $1 million is reserved for rescue organizations not under municipal contracts, helping independent shelters that often operate without public funding.

Since its inception in 2017, the Companion Animal Capital Fund has dedicated more than $48 million to 161 projects statewide, helping facilities modernize and improve care while increasing adoption opportunities for dogs and cats.

This leadership from New York sets an important example. While shelters in many states — including Pennsylvania — struggle with aging facilities, limited capacity, and a constant influx of animals in need, New York’s funding initiative shows what’s possible when a state government prioritizes animal welfare infrastructure.

Why Pennsylvania Needs Similar Funding

Right now, Pennsylvania does not have a statewide capital fund dedicated to animal shelter upgrades anywhere near the scale of New York’s program. Many Pennsylvania shelters and rescues operate out of outdated buildings, with limited space for medical care, safe housing, or expanded intake — challenges that directly impact animal wellbeing and adoption outcomes.

A statewide funding initiative in Pennsylvania could:

• Help shelters modernize and expand to meet current and future needs.
• Reduce overcrowding and improve health outcomes for animals in care.
• Support nonprofit and municipal shelters alike, especially smaller organizations that struggle to raise capital for infrastructure upgrades.
• Increase adoption rates by creating more humane, welcoming environments for animals waiting for their forever homes.

How We Can Make It Happen

Getting Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s attention and support for this issue is the first step toward change. Here’s how the community can act:

📣 Raise Awareness: Share New York’s example with local lawmakers, shelter leaders, and animal advocates to show what’s possible with dedicated funding.

✉️ Contact Elected Officials: Write to Governor Shapiro and your state representatives to express support for a Pennsylvania companion animal capital fund. Personal stories from volunteers, adopters, and shelter workers are especially impactful.

🤝 Build Coalitions: Shelters, rescues, and animal welfare nonprofits across Pennsylvania can work together to advocate for similar legislation — uniting voices will amplify our message.

💬 Use Social Media & Local Press: Share updates, statistics, and community voices to spotlight the need for shelter infrastructure funding.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but when a neighboring state takes action, it gives us both hope and a blueprint for success. Now is the time for Pennsylvania to take a stand for better shelter care, improved outcomes for homeless animals, and a more compassionate community.

Podcast | Grants For Rescues & Shelters from the Companion Animal Capital Fund

Letter to Animal Sheltering Community Members (NY)

Delaware County People & Pets Need Help—We Can’t Wait Any Longer - PART 2

 

🕰️ It's About Time!

ANIMAL CONTROL IN DELAWARE COUNTY TIMELINE

Pre-2011
The Delaware County SPCA served as the county’s primary animal control shelter, taking in stray, abused, and surrendered animals from municipalities across Delco.

2011
The Delaware County SPCA announced it would end its role as the county’s animal control shelter and transition toward a no-kill, adoption-focused model.

2012
The SPCA officially ended euthanasia and municipal stray intake, effectively leaving Delaware County without a centralized animal control facility.

2011–Present
For more than a decade, Delaware County has relied on:

• Small rescues
• Overextended volunteers
• Foster homes
• Police departments and animal control officers with limited options

Despite repeated calls from advocates, veterinarians, and rescuers, no permanent, county-run Animal Welfare Center has been established.

Today
Delaware County remains one of the largest counties in Pennsylvania without a dedicated animal control shelter, placing enormous strain on rescues, municipalities, and—most importantly—animals. This is why we need the help and support of the community.

Delaware County People & Pets Need Help—We Can’t Wait Any Longer - PART 1

It's Time For PA Leadership To Take Notice and Step Up🐾

If New York Governor Kathy Hochul can allocate $10M in funding for animal shelter upgrades, then Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro can—and should—do the same for our animals.

Watch the video to the left from eight years ago, featuring Delaware County’s Jill Speckman, co-founder of Delco Dawgs. What she shares still resonates today—and the problem has existed long before that (follow Delco Dawgs on Facebook)

In the video, eight years ago, Dr. Sara Sprowls, now co-owner of Glenolden Animal Hospital, says it plainly:

“Building an animal control facility in Delaware County…

is the ultimate solution.”

Yet since the Delaware County SPCA closed its doors around 2012 (fourteen years ago!), the tireless efforts of volunteers and advocates have not been enough. Without sustained action and official support, Delaware County still lacks the permanent Animal Welfare Center that our animals, rescuers and caretakers so desperately need.

Haven’t Delaware County people and pets suffered long enough?
It’s been over a decade since the county had a proper SPCA. Too long.

It’s time to move forward. But we can’t do this alone—community support is essential. Without it, this critical Animal Welfare Center simply won’t become a reality. That’s the reality.

👉 Take action today! Sign and share the petitions below to help bring a permanent Animal Welfare Center to Delaware County. Every signature and share brings us one step closer to a safe, modern facility for our animals and the rescuers who care for them. 🐾❤️

PETITIONS TO SIGN AND SHARE WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW IN DELAWARE COUNTY, PA:

Petition 1: Support the creation of an animal welfare center at Don Guanella

Petition 2: Protect the Paws: Change the Law (this petition idea was Bernadetta Smith's)

Don't forget to follow Delco Dawgs on Facebook

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Let's move forward together!