A County Without a Shelter: The Silent Crisis Facing Delaware County's Residents and Animals

Here’s the plan to make lasting change for our animals—and our community—starting now.

Delaware County has a serious problem—and it’s not going away on its own. In fact, if we don't act now, it will only get worse.

For years, our county has gone without a permanent, countywide animal shelter or a sustainable animal welfare system. Local rescues, fosters, and community members have stepped up, doing everything they can to fill the gap—but the truth is, they’re being pushed beyond their limits.

Residents need relief.
Many are exhausted—physically, financially, and emotionally. They’re taking in stray animals, paying out of pocket for vet bills, working to trap/neuter/release (TNR)and sacrificing time, space, and peace of mind. This can't continue.

Meanwhile, animals continue to suffer. With nowhere to go, some are abandoned, some are dumped. Others are passed from one overwhelmed household to another. And too many end up sick, injured, or worse—with no help in sight.

This is not an animal issue. It’s a problem created by people.
It’s a community crisis, born out of years of neglect and inaction. And what we need is for our county and local officials to recognize that this is not just about animals—this is a countywide health and humanity crisis. The lack of a proper shelter and support system impacts public health, strains community resources, and erodes the values we claim to stand for.

Meanwhile, animals continue to suffer—abandoned, dumped, injured, abused, or neglected with nowhere to go. Many are killed because there is no room at shelters, and not enough fosters. The consequences fall hardest on the most vulnerable, both human and animal.

It doesn’t have to be this way, nor should it be.

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Here’s the Plan so far:

1. Spread the Word
   Many people in Delaware County don’t even realize there’s no SPCA. We’ll share this message through social media, community outreach, and local events—making sure every resident understands what’s at stake.

2. Launch a Petition
   Once people are informed, we’ll launch a petition calling for a permanent solution for animals which involves the Don Guanella site in Springfield. Every signature brings us one step closer to change.

3. Hold a Press Conference & Community Meeting
   We’ll bring this issue to the public stage. With local media, advocates, and residents speaking out, we’ll show the county that this is a priority.

4. Organize as a Community
   After the press conference, we’ll hold a public meeting to bring supporters together and plan our next steps. Strategy, unity, and momentum will drive this effort forward.

5. Attend County Council Meetings
   With signatures in hand and a community behind us, we’ll take our message to County Council. We’ll share the problem—and the solution—to let them know the community supports this effort.

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How You Can Help:

✅ Spread the word! Share this blog post with friends, neighbors, and local groups
✅ Sign and promote the petition (coming soon)
✅ Attend our events and planning meetings
✅ Show up at County Council meetings to be heard
✅ Use your voice—online and in your community

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📩 Want to get involved?

Send us an email at delcolovesanimals@gmail.com — we’d love to have you on board.

Our animals deserve better. Our residents deserve better. Together, we can create a permanent solution.

Let’s get to work.