Partial List of Delaware County Stray Cat Feeding Ordinances

 

Partial List of Stray Cat Feeding Ordinances & Policies in Delco

It's important to know that ordinances can vary by township/borough within Delaware County. Always consult your local municipal code or animal control office for the most accurate and current regulations.

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🐱 1. Stray Cats and Animal Control Services

Most municipalities in Delaware County, Pennsylvania rely on local animal control officers to respond to issues with stray animals, but enforcement varies by township. In some areas, you must call the township offices to report stray cats or request an animal control service visit.

🐾 2. Definitions & Regulations on Feral/Stray Cats

Some local codes (e.g., Middletown Township’s animal ordinance) define terms like feral cat and include rules about trapping, keeping, or feeding stray and feral cats. These ordinances also often establish criteria for how stray or feral cats are managed and can include provisions such as required humane handling and Trap-Neuter-Return protocols.

🐾 3. Feeding & Nuisance Rules

Local ordinances in parts of the county may prohibit feeding stray or feral cats in ways that create a nuisance or affect neighboring properties. In those cases, fines can be assessed or enforcement action can be taken against persons who harbor or feed stray cats if it becomes a public nuisance.

🛠 4. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Practices

While there has been no countywide animal control, there are some individuals and rescues that provide humane Trap-Neuter-Return programs which the many municipalities allow. TNR programs trap free-roaming cats, have them spayed/neutered and vaccinated, and then return them. This helps manage the population humanely and may be referenced in local ordinances or policies.

🏙️ 5. Contact Local Animal Control

For issues with stray or feral cats, the first step in many Delaware County municipalities is to contact your township animal control officer or municipal office or view this list. They can advise on local ordinances, proper handling, and next steps.

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💡 Tip: Ordinances often differ between townships (e.g., Middletown, Upper Darby, Springfield), so always check your specific municipal code or animal control department for exact wording and enforcement details.

A List of Pet Food Pantries in Delco and Beyond

Pet Food Pantry Service Areas in Delco and Beyond

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We get this question a lot: “Do you serve people outside of Delaware County?”

We wish we could say yes. The need is real everywhere, and if we had unlimited resources, we’d love to help every pet family who reaches out. But right now, our focus is right here at home — serving the Delco community. As much as we’d like to expand beyond the county lines, it’s just not something we’re able to do at this time.

Thanks to our some wonderful friends, we’ve put together this list of Pet Food Pantries in Delco and beyond. Whether you live in or outside of Delaware County and need pet food or cat litter, we hope this list helps you find the support you need.

Because every pet deserves to be fed, loved, and at home no matter where they live. 🐾🐾

How To Donate

If you'd like to donate to Purr Love's Pet Food Pantry monetary donations can be made at The Spayed Club. If you donate online, please email Kim Reid at kreid518@gmail.com with your name and amount of donation so that the funds can be directed to the Pet Food Pantry. 

If you'd like to donate through the Pet Food Pantry Wish Lists, please see below:

• Amazon Wish List     
• Chewy Wish List

Disclaimer:

Rich and Lisa Small and Delco Loves Animals do not guarantee the accuracy of the information in this list. Details are subject to change at any time, and we cannot confirm that all listed pantries are currently operating. Please contact each organization directly for the most up-to-date and complete information. Furthermore, these pet food pantries and organizations are not being recommended by Rich and Lisa Small or Delco Loves Animals. Contact them and enroll at your own risk. 

DLA's Zoom Meetings Canceled Until Further Notice

 

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!

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.