BVSPCA needs communities help amidst rescuing 100 animals
SALISBURY, Md. — The Brandywine Valley SPCA in Georgetown is dealing with a massive influx of animals and is asking the community for help finding homes for the rescues. The organization recently took in more than 100 animals from a home in New Castle, Delaware.
Walter Fenstermacher, Delaware director of operations, said, “The animals that came to us really came in various conditions — physical conditions, behavioral conditions — and really different animals that are of different ages, sizes, breeds. We’ve had dogs, cats, rats and guinea pigs.”
Officials said the case is rare. “This is one of the largest cases that we’ve seen in quite a while,” said the SPCA’s senior director of marketing and communications. “And we’re just grateful to be able to find the space for these animals and to be here for them.”
The scale of the case, reinforcements were called in from other Brandywine Valley SPCA locations. “They assisted the officers at the Office of Animal Welfare, who were working so diligently on site to remove and seize these animals and get them out of that condition as fast as possible. Then they were moved to our locations,” officials said.
Many of the rescued animals face a long road to recovery before they will be ready for adoption. “Some are very sick. Some are well taken care of but just need a bath. But they all need time to adjust to this transition,” said Smith, an SPCA official. “The conditions that they’re coming out of just were really not great.”
The influx is also a strain on resources, as the animals require around-the-clock care. The SPCA is calling on the community for support. “To try to help us with fostering pets — animals that are currently available for adoption — just to allow us to free up some space here at the Animal Rescue Center,” Fenstermacher said.
For now, adoption fees are waived for dogs over 30 pounds and for adult cats.
Donations are also needed.
“We want the public to know, we want the community to know, that we have resources available,” officials said. “Instead of choosing to temporarily house your pet or have to surrender, we want to help you keep your pet in your home. So the Brandywine Valley SPCA has a safety net.” The organization offers free pet food, free vaccine clinics, behavior support, and grant-funded veterinary care for owners who cannot afford it. “We want to be able to not have these situations and have these pets stay in their loving homes,” officials said.
Donations are also a huge help. For more information on that – and other resources available to pet owners head to BVSPCA’s website.
“We want the public to know we want the community to know that we have resources available, you know, instead of choosing to, temporarily house your pet or have to surrender, we want to help you keep your pet in your home. So the Brandywine Valley SPCA has a safety net.”
