If you’ve been following Delco Loves Animals, you already know one thing: Delco shows up for animals. Today, we’re asking our community to do it again.
We now have two critical petitions underway. Both support the same mission: helping animals and the community. But each focuses on a different step in building the humane, sustainable, community-centered animal support system our county needs and deserves.
Goal: 5,000 signatures
This is the BIG one — the opportunity to build something transformative and finally establish a permanent solution.
We are urging Delaware County to provide a building and a parcel of land at the Don Guanella site in Marple Township. This location offers the space and potential to create a comprehensive community animal welfare center—a place where rescue, animal surrender, adoption, rehabilitation, education, and community support programs can thrive under one roof. The site also allows room for future expansion and provides opportunities for other animal-focused nonprofits and businesses to operate alongside us, creating a hub for animal welfare in the county.
What this would allow us to create:
- A local and centralized community pet resource center
- Expanded
foster, adoption, T-N-R (Trap-Neuter-Release), emergency care programs and much more!
- Training,
education, and volunteer opportunities
- Pet food pantry support for rescues, shelter, pet owners and caretakers
- Space
for future growth as community needs evolve
- And more!
For county and local officials to take this seriously, we must show
overwhelming public support. Our goal is at least 5,000 signatures, and
every one counts (must be a Delaware County resident to sign).
Please sign and share this important petition!
Petition: https://c.org/wHF6RsPRPC
Photo Credits: Lisa Small
Goal: 1,000 signatures (we’re almost there but still collecting!)
Delaware County residents — like people across Pennsylvania — face rising costs in veterinary care and pet food and supplies. Spay and neuter surgeries can be financially out of reach for many families, and that creates a ripple effect: more litters, more stray animals, and more pressure on rescues and shelters.
We are advocating for a statewide spay and neuter voucher program that would allow qualifying residents to receive reduced-cost or free services. This program would help to:
- Reduce animal homelessness
- Ease the burden on shelters and low cost clinics (so they can spend the funds on other necessary needs)
- Support residents during tough times
- Improve animal welfare across the state
In addition, animal cruelty continues to be a large concern in Delaware County. Due to reduced staffing, law enforcement must prioritize major crimes, leaving many cruelty cases uninvestigated. Consequently, the District Attorney’s office cannot prosecute them. This lack of enforcement sends the wrong message: animal abusers can act without fear of consequences.
You may have also heard that some colony feeders have been threatened with fines of up to $1,000 for feeding stray cats. If you care for a colony, please check with the municipality where you feed to ensure you're not violating any local ordinances. One simple way to prevent complaints is to clean up plates, bowls, and food remnants so residents don’t see a mess.
But even with these challenges, we cannot allow stray and feral cats to go hungry. Many of these cats and kittens were dumped or abandoned when families moved away. It’s heartbreaking, and no one should feel comfortable treating animals this way. We need stronger laws to hold people accountable and to deter this kind of neglect.
We also want landlords to understand that this is happening. Abandoning pets doesn’t just harm the cats—it harms the very communities they operate in. Responsible policies and awareness can make a real difference.
We’re pushing to get these petitions in front of our legislators — but we need at least 1,000 signatures (we're almost there) to demonstrate public demand. Every signature strengthens our voice.
If you haven’t signed yet, please take a moment. It’s quick, easy, and truly meaningful.
Petition site: https://c.org/GPSnTYLHg6
Spay-neuter access/animal law enforcement and a dedicated community space are not
separate issues — they’re two halves of the same effort:
to reduce suffering, to increase support, and to build a humane Delco that
works for everyone. Remember, the goal is to become a truly NO-KILL community.
When you sign, share, and speak up, you’re helping create
lasting change for animals and the people who care about them.
How You Can Help (It’s Easy!)
- Sign
both petitions
- Share
them with friends, neighbors, family, coworkers, and on social media (must live in Delaware County, PA)
- Encourage
others to get involved — every signature pushes us forward
Together, we can do this.
Together, we can show Delco — and the whole state — what a community united for
animals can achieve. We CAN do this! And we WILL do this...together!
~ Rich & Lisa
