The politics of it all makes me sick, and I’m not sure what the circumstances were that brought it to this conclusion, but all I can hope is that the animals that would be saved by the shelter (300-500 per month), find good homes.
If you’re looking to adopt, volunteer or drop off an animal please contact one of these other Monroe County Shelters.
Naomi Gauntlett
Animals Can’t Talk Rescue and Adoption
A special adoption event will be held at PetSmart on Feb. 13-15.
Camp Papillon Pet Adoption & Rescue group
www.camppapillon.org
(570) 420-0450
Waggin’ Tales
http://www.waggintailsrescue.com
Pocono Animal Rescue
http://www.poconoanimalrescue.org
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http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090129/NEWS/90129013
The Pa. SPCA board of directors held an emergency meeting this week where it voted to close its Monroe County shelter, according to state Rep. John Siptroth, D-189.
Siptroth said PSPCA chief executive Howard Nelson told him of the decision.
Siptroth, in a phone interview with the Pocono Record, confirmed that the shelter will close as of 4 p.m. today. Any animals remaining will be placed with a local animal rescue group.
“They’re tired of all the outside groups that continue to charge the SPCA with allegations which may or may not be true,” said Siptroth. “I guess they were just so despondent.”
The Pocono Record published an investigative report examining allegations of abuse of authority by the agency in its procedures for seizing animals from individuals, as well as alleged use of a controversial euthanasia method called the heart stick. The coverage prompted the SPCA to have a lawyer send a reproving letter to the newspaper and remove the Pocono Record from its list of news outlets for publicity.
Siptroth said the agency no longer has the “wherewithal” to maintain the shelter here.
No one, to his knowledge, has responded to the agency’s request for proposals to take over management of the shelter. The PSPCA had said it would accept proposals until mid-February.
Siptroth did not know why the process was cut short.
A source familiar with shelter operations said trucks are expected to arrive tomorrow morning to take animals to other shelters. The Monroe shelter has about 15 dogs and 18 cats.
When asked why the public wasn’t given more notice to adopt animals before the closing, Siptroth said, “Who’s going to be there?”
The shelter manager was fired earlier this week but declined to say why when contacted by the Pocono Record.
There are two shelter employees remaining until the facility closes.
“It’s certainly going to leave a significant void in the community, especially for the animals,” said Siptroth.
There is no word yet on what will be done with the property, which is located on Wild Animal Farm Road just off Route 611 south of Stroudsburg.
Animals can still be adopted until 4 p.m. today.
Check back at PoconoRecord.com for more information on this developing story as it becomes available, and read the complete story in Friday’s print version of the Pocono Record.
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