BVSPCA is Expanding to DC

WEST CHESTER, PA (NOVEMBER 8, 2024) – Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) is thrilled to announce a new partnership with DC Health aimed at enhancing and modernizing animal services in the nation’s capital. Effective January 1, 2025, BVSPCA will take over all animal control, care, field, medical, and stray services, as well as adoptions for Washington DC. BVSPCA’s expertise in animal care, and control will be instrumental in ushering in ensuring compassionate service for animals in DC.

“Brandywine Valley SPCA has been a great partner in shaping a vision for the future of animal services in DC,” said Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of DC Health. “I’m excited to work with them to revitalize our animal services program and bring Mayor Bowser’s vision of a new, expanded DC Animal Shelter to life. Our mission is to ensure safe, high-quality care for all animals while establishing sustainable solutions for years to come.”

“We are proud to bring our expertise in animal care, progressive sheltering policies, and lifesaving programs to the nation’s capital,” said Adam Lamb, CEO of Brandywine Valley SPCA. “I want to personally thank Mayor Bowser, Dr. Bennett, and the entire DC Health team for supporting this quick transition as we work together to expand and modernize the overall level of care and services for animals and pet families in the District.”

This new partnership highlights BVSPCA’s continued mobilization effort expanding no-kill initiatives beyond current operation areas in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania where the BVSPCA began nearly 100 years ago in Chester County. BVSPCA currently operates and cares for more than 20,000 lost, stray, owner-surrendered, and abused and neglected animals across its Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey operations, while maintaining a 93% live release rate. It was early in 2024 that BVSPCA affiliated with the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, to expand operations and progressive sheltering programs to Central PA. HSHA was recently recognized as a no-kill shelter, less than a year since the affiliation.

Brandywine Valley SPCA will bring its nationality-recognized programs and expertise to the District of Columbia. Services will include animal control and care, field services for injured and stray animals, wildlife services, intake diversion, adoptions, and basic animal medical and wellness. Working with DC Health, the BVSPCA will be able to serve the communities of the District by ensuring that stray, lost, and injured animals receive the care and treatment they deserve.

Through demonstrated best practices, the BVSPCA will work to shorten shelter length of stays, and implement progressive programs such as community cat programs and enrichment and behavior programs for shelter animals, to increase lifesaving, with the goal of bringing the District to no-kill status. BVSPCA will also invite the community to get involved in this mission by launching robust volunteer and foster programs.

The BVSPCA will be operating three locations at the start of the contract. The community has deep ties to the 1201 New York Ave. NE shelter. BVSPCA will continue to operate and use this space to help inform and educate the community on the future plans of the District animal welfare services. Additionally, DC Health has procured a 30,000 sq. ft. space at 2 DC Village Ln. SW, which will be renovated to the specifications of the BVSPCA’s needs to temporarily accommodate overflow from the New York Ave facility. Lastly, nearly 8,500 sq. ft. has been procured by the BVSPCA to act as a high-visibility retail space. This space is located at 1514-1516 Okie St. This highly accessible location will include at least 70 kennels for adoptables and downstream plans of providing medical services, as well.

BVSPCA currently holds the sole contract for animal care and sheltering in Delaware, where BVSPCA’s work helped create the first No-Kill state in the country. BVSPCA also created and operates 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 DC Health increases Brandywine Valley SPCA’s footprint as the largest multistate animal welfare organization, with the goal of bolstering 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 across the entire BVSPCA footprint.

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 more than 18,000 adoptions.

Brandywine Valley SPCA encourages and welcomes the community to support this new venture by getting involved. Learn more about this partnership, apply to volunteer and foster, or make a gift to fund our mission HERE.