Politics & Government
Municipal Animal Shelter Scrapped Due to Costs
Costs for the proposed county-run animal shelter nearly doubled, according to philly.com, leaving the Animal Protection Board with few options.
MEDIA–Plans to build a Municipal Animal Shelter, which was said to solve the county's animal control problem after the Delaware County SPCA stopped accepting strays in January, is no longer an option due to costs that nearly doubled, according to Philly.com.
The facility was estimated to cost $1.2 million which the county was able to fund by borrowing it from the Darby Creek Joint Authority.
But Delaware County Council Vice Chairman Mario Civera when the project's architectural firm, Bonnett Associates, presented their plan for the building, they returned with a $2 million price tag. A price the county just can't stomach right now, Civera said in April.
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The , a non-profit organization which has never been responsible for animal control, stopped accepting stray animals on Jan. 1 in order to focus its attention on education and adoption programs to become a lifesaving facility. The Delco SPCA still accepts animals turned over by owners and has assisted other shelters that reach capacity.
Animal control, or stray animals, is a municipalities' responsibility.
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The in July and in October, Delaware County representatives that would have held about 55 dogs and 128 cats, according to philly.com.
The facility was projected to be completed by May or June.
The Chester County SPCA has been accepting Delaware County's stray animals, at a cost of $250 per animal, since January and now the Animal Protection Board is hoping for a five year extension on that contract, according to Philly.com.
The Animal Control Board pays the Chester County SPCA up front $30,000 each month and each municipality then reimburses the county.
According to Philly.com, 552 stray animals have been picked up in Delaware County since January.
Animal Protection Board President Thomas Judge Jr. and Joe Daly, Springfield Township police chief and Animal Protection Board member, both told Philly.com that the municipalities don't yet see that they will soon be in crisis when dealing with stray animals and animal control.
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