New partnership with DC Health aims to enhance animal services in the nation's capital
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 the District.
The Animal Services Program, under the guidance of the DC Department of Health, seeks to strengthen the bond between humans and animals in the District of Columbia. The mission is to minimize conflict between people, pets, and wildlife while promoting harmonious coexistence. Providing care and support for all animals, residents, visitors, and business owners in the District of Columbia is of the utmost importance to the program. The Animal Services Program’s vision is a District in which people and animals live together safely and peacefully.
“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.”
This new partnership highlights a continuation of expanded mobilization efforts and lifesaving growth for the Brandywine Valley SPCA. BVSPCA was recently recognized for reaching No-Kill status in Central PA at the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area following the organization's affiliation in early 2024. BVSPCA has also expanded these No-Kill initiatives into New Jersey with the affiliation with the Animal Adoption Center in Lindenwold.
BVSPCA's 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 new partnership with DC Health increases Brandywine Valley SPCA’s footprint as the largest multi-state animal welfare organization.
An important goal of the partnership with DC Health is to bring BVSPCA’s No-Kill standard of lifesaving to the District, and leadership will assess what needs there are to bridge the gap and set goals for reaching that lifesaving benchmark.
“Brandywine Valley SPCA has a proven track record of successful life-saving programming and helping many animal welfare organizations around the country,” said Julie Castle, Chief Executive Officer of Best Friends Animal Society. “Adam Lamb is a leading light in the no-kill movement, and we are so tremendously grateful for our partnership with Brandywine Valley SPCA. They are one of our top partners who are helping mentor other shelters to get to no-kill. We commend both the Brandywine Valley SPCA and DC Health for the vision and opportunities they are mutually creating for the animals and pet families of the nation’s capital.”
Brandywine Valley SPCA will bring modern and progressive adoption policies to animal care. These include open adoption policies, foster-to-adopt, and dropping breed labeling of shelter dogs to increase adoptions.
Brandywine Valley SPCA will bring its nationally recognized community cat programs which aim to increase the health and wellness of community cats while proactively reducing the number of animals being born without homes in our community to DC.
Brandywine Valley SPCA will bring experts in the field to lead a behavioral and enrichment program, to help animals needing a little more support to be adoptable.
Brandywine Valley SPCA will bring its innovative offsite and Mega Adoption Events to DC to increase lifesaving and help more animals fund loving homes.
Brandywine Valley SPCA will build a robust volunteer and foster program to engage the community in this lifesaving work.
Brandywine Valley SPCA will bring programs and services to assist pet families with resources to help keep pets in their homes and out of shelters.
“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. We invite and are counting on the community to join us in this mission by volunteering, fostering, adopting, and donating.”
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