The Fayette County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has set its goal: no kill by 2004.
The SPCA invites those interested in helping it achieve its goal to attend the newly established Fayette County No-Kill Coalition's meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 11 a.m. at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.
Robin Moore, animal control director and humane police officer for Fayette County says, "the wheels are in motion" for the shelter to become no kill.
"The link is the Fayette SPCA. Due to all the wonderful things that are happening for the shelter, we are now on our way," says Moore.
Doreen Tanner, another Fayette County SPCA animal control officer, reports that the number of animals taken in at the shelter has dropped from a previous average of 5,000 per year to 2,000 last year. Of those animals, 63 percent were placed in homes with the remainder, an all-time low of 37 percent, euthanized. Tanner points out that the 37 percent figure includes sick, injured and aged animals.
With these developments, Moore is convinced that the no-kill goal can be met in the next three years.
"We have a plan, we have new resources at the SPCA, and it can work, but everyone in the animal industry in Fayette County has to be a part of the plan," she says.
The No-Kill Coalition meeting will provide a chance for people or organizations interested in making the goal a reality the opportunity to exchange ideas.
A committee to analyze statistics for the needs of Fayette County animals will form and begin work at the meeting. Moore says all animal rescue groups, which are responsible in part for the decreased numbers of animals coming to the SPCA shelter, need to be involved to accurately portray the intake numbers for the county.
Moore says the community is responding generously to the cause. For example, Nemacolin Woodlands has donated the coalition's meeting place, and Upper Room Tees in Uniontown is helping to provide some of its public relations materials.
Other organizations such as the American Red Cross are responding with programs to help place animals in homes. A proposed plan, for example, will help those who lose a pet in a fire find a new pet at the SPCA.
"I believe Fayette County is ready and the time is now. I want to see everyone involved at that meeting, ready to be hands on. Let's do this for the animals," say Moore.
To be a part of the No-Kill Coalition meeting, call 724-438-3121. There is no charge to attend.
