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BVSPCA Expands Lifesaving Footprint

Humane Society of Harrisburg Area enters into affiliation agreement with BVSPCA

JOINING HEARTS, HANDS AND PAWS!

Leadership of the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area (HSHA), Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA), and both governing boards, led by HSHA board president George Groves and BVSPCA board president Bud Haly, have unanimously approved entering into an affiliation agreement. Together, they will join to expand life-saving initiatives in a unified effort and create positive change for animals in need across the Commonwealth. Shared resources, management, and governing oversight will begin immediately under Adam Lamb’s leadership for both BVSPCA and HSHA.  

The Humane Society of Harrisburg Area has served pets and people in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties for more than 100 years. Despite challenges, HSHA has provided not only programs for lost, stray, and neglected animals, but also to pet families, and has found homes for more than 80% of the nearly 2,000 homeless animals who turn to them each year.

HSHA STATISTICS

ANIMALS IN CARE
2,000
LIVE RELEASE RATE
80%
VET RESOURCE CENTER
3,700+

“Joining the efforts of our dedicated staff and volunteers with the expertise of the Brandywine Valley SPCA will help us elevate our level of care,” Aspasia Yeager, HSHA Interim Executive Director said. “By combining our shared mission and passions, we can continue to grow, save more lives, and reach more of our community with vital resources, while operating more efficiently to keep the focus on the animals who are counting on us.”

This new affiliation agreement highlights a renewed mobilization effort for the Brandywine Valley SPCA, expanding no-kill initiatives in Pennsylvania, where the BVSPCA began nearly 100 years ago in Chester County. BVSPCA currently operates and cares for more than 17,000 lost, stray, owner-surrendered, and abused and neglected animals in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania, as well as the entire state of Delaware, while maintaining a 93%+ live release rate. It is a goal of this affiliation agreement to bring this level of lifesaving standard to the Harrisburg region by the end of 2024.

Recent BVSPCA work in Delaware helped create the first No-Kill state in the country and led to Delaware’s only in-shelter Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at BVSPCA’s state-of-the-art Copeland Center for Animal Welfare in New Castle. The partnership with HSHA increases Brandywine Valley SPCA’s footprint as the largest animal welfare organization in the Commonwealth and largest multi-state animal welfare organization and bolsters vital community resources, such as free vaccine clinics, low-cost vet care, and spay and neuter campaigns to reach even more animals and pet families in Pennsylvania.

“There is an opportunity for growth and a need in this area of Pennsylvania, and we are committed to taking the steps necessary to bring our proven track record as a leader in animal welfare, and no-kill mission to this community where there is still work to be done,” said Adam Lamb, BVSPCA and HSHA Chief Executive Officer. “We are counting on those in the Central Pennsylvania community to embrace the partnership by supporting HSHA through adopting and donating, not only financially, but also with their time by serving as volunteers and fosters.”

Brandywine Valley SPCA continues to act as a national mentor for animal welfare organizations in progressive initiatives, collaboration, embed programs, disaster preparedness and response, emergency response strategies, and matching adopters with shelter animals locally and across the country. The nation’s largest adoption event, the BVSPCA-led Mega Adoption Event held in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Texas, has led to nearly 16,000 adoptions.

“Brandywine Valley SPCA has a proven track record of successful life-saving programming and helping many animal welfare organizations around the country. It’s great to see organizations like Brandywine support the community, and state-wide no-kill success as they continue to grow. We commend both the Brandywine Valley SPCA and the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area for the vision and opportunities they are mutually creating for Harrisburg and the state of Pennsylvania,” said Julie Castle, Chief Executive Officer of Best Friends Animal Society.

Brandywine Valley SPCA and Humane Society of Harrisburg Area welcome adopters, donors, fosters, and volunteers to join this effort in expanding resources and care for animals across the Commonwealth. Donations can continue to be made to the respective organizations. Find the nearest location to support at humanesocietyhbg.org and bvspca.org.

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