Pocono News Section

No-Kill Animal Shelter At Risk of Bankruptcy

No-Kill Animal Shelter At Risk of Bankruptcy - Monday, March 17, 2008 at 5:31PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Monday, Mar 17, 2008 @05:31pm EST
EAST NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY --An animal shelter in Schuylkill County may soon close its doors if it doesn't receive donations. The Hillside SPCA near Pottsville is out of money and that puts hundreds of cats and dogs in jeopardy. Jeff Chirico joins us with this story.

It takes more than $10,000 a week to keep the Hillside SPCA near Pottsville operating. And at this point, the no-kill shelter has enough money to last two weeks. Shelter managers don't want to think what may happen then.

The lives of more than 70 dogs and 250 cats are at risk. The Hillside SPCA sits on the verge of bankruptcy. Assistant manager Tricia Moyer says “we’re broke. The cost of everything has gone up.” But donations have dropped.

Sara Thorne brought her spare change after hearing about the no-kill shelter's problems. Sara Thorne: “I think it’s terrible. People need to support this more than they do."

Several big cruelty cases have also sucked up Hillside's funds. The shelter rescued an emaciated dog named Polo from New Ringgold last week. He lived on the end of a chain for 16 years. Moyer says "because of the Hillside SPCA we're able to save dogs like this." The folks here at the shelter don't want to speculate what may happen to the cats and dogs if the shelter closes. But friends of the shelter fear many of these pets may be put to sleep.

Annette Feeser/Friedensberg "The dog I adopted was here for several years before she came to me. If she was in a kill shelter she'd be gone."

"The biggest thing we need is money. I know it might sound crude but I'm being honest."

Supporters say a dollar from everyone in Schuylkill County would make the difference.

Moyer says "anything they can donate is much appreciated by animals and staff." Without help, the shelter may have to turn away unwanted pets by month's end. The shelter relies almost entirely on private donations if you would like to help, call 622-7769 give online at