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Simply put – the SPCA in Sullivan County must be put out of business. Their antics are utterly deplorable.
The SPCA’s latest scheme is to bill the county outrageous amounts of monies, all while questions of cruelty to animals still lurks over the animal shelter.
In a bold move Sullivan County has justly dropped any affiliation it had whatsoever with the SPCA. They will no longer be called to pick up animals by the Sheriff’s Patrol, or any other governmental agency.
In an effort to put blame on the county and show face, the SPCA gave written notice that they will no longer service animals for Sullivan County Government Agencies.
SPCA board president Bonnie Swack in referring to the County’s objection to pay a bill had the audacity to state, “and next time we won’t be nice, and won’t help anyone without a contract.”
It is one thing for the county to say they are ending all ties with the shelter, but it is another story when the shelter says they will not service a governmental agency if it called upon to do so. Not only is this criminal, but it is clear cut evidence that displays cruelty for animals.
Just like a hospital has an obligation to service patients seeking medical attention, so does an animal shelter have a call to duty when it comes to caring for animals.
The SPCA in Rock Hill is showing all the residents of Sullivan County their true colors. But, they have done that time and time again, and they keep getting away with it.
The people who run the shelter are a self centered group, who are only concerned with filling their pockets. They obviously do not concentrate on protecting the rights of or properly caring for animals.
This latest battle arose when the SPCA billed the county thousands of dollars in charges for dogs, cats, horses and a goat animal shelter officers picked up after a police raid in a home in Woodbourne.
As an alternative to the SPCA, Town of Liberty Supervisor Frank DeMayo offered his town's services to the county for animal control.
Liberty charges $75 plus mileage per pickup, as opposed to the SPCA's $180 Boarding fees are also lower than the SPCA's. They already have animal-control agreements with several towns.
Sullivan County Manager Dan Fanslau recently met with DeMayo, Liberty’s animal control officer Joanne Gerow, and Undersheriff Eric Chaboty to work out a deal.
I am pleased that for at least for the rest of 2006, Sullivan County will be contracting the Town of Liberty for animal control. In 2007, Sullivan County will either continue utilizing the services of Liberty or look elsewhere.
The opportunity is at hand to finally put the SPCA out of business and perhaps a new organization for animal control and shelter could be born in Liberty, with the township playing a key role. DeMayo is constantly looking for new and innovative ideas and this should be one he should jump on.
In any event, DeMayo’s offer to present Sullivan County with alternatives to the SPCA should be noted and applauded by all.
The troubles plaguing the SPCA are a sad state of affairs for Sullivan County and all pet lovers. There have continually been charges of mismanagement and deplorable conditions under which the animals live there.
The SPCA’s board of directors has been called incompetent. They operate in secret with very little funding, and rely on monies received from donations. Many innocent animals have been known to die due to outbreaks of the parvovirus. Others become ill for unknown reasons. These deplorable living conditions there are not common for animal shelters.
There are also many other disturbing accusations plaguing the Rock Hill facility as well.
Books and records of the shelter are continually said to be unavailable for public inspection. This happens to be illegal for non-for-profit organizations. There have also been serious allegations that donations disappear.
Also, many local animal rights advocates have attempted to become involved in the shelter but have been shunned away.
Sheriff Michael Schiff and Undersheriff Eric Chaboty have been long time advocates for Animal Rights. They are playing key roles in the investigations levied against the SPCA.
Although many of the allegations are difficult to prove, Chaboty and the Sheriff’s Office has uncovered many flaws in the way the animal shelter conducts business. Investigations are ongoing.
Sullivan County residents deserve a properly managed state of the art animal shelter that is adequately funded, and places the care for animals above and beyond anything else.
Animal rights advocates and political leaders must immediately work towards these goals.
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