Pocono News Section

No Place for Strays in Monroe County

No Place for Strays in Monroe County - Monday, February 23, 2009 at 3:30PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Monday, Feb 23, 2009 @ 03:30pm EST
STROUD TWP., MONROE COUNTY- Monroe County pet rescuers call it a crisis. They say there's no where to take stray animals in the county. Now rescue groups and police are worried what they'll do about pets on the loose.

Heather Stephens is the Vice President of Camp Papillon. Her group provides foster homes for abandoned dogs. When the local SPCA abruptly closed last month - Camp Papillon formed an agreement with the Stroud Area Regional Police Department.

The volunteers would care for any strays the police found. Lt. Brian Kimmins said, "Camp Papillion has proven itself to us as being a reliable and consistent organization."

But that all changed Monday when the bureau of Dog Law Enforcement out of Harrisburg called Camp Papillion and said they will no longer be able to take in strays. The bureau told the volunteers they need their own public shelter building. Heather would like to buy the empty SPCA building. But the group can't afford to pay the $319,000.

Now police don't know what they will do with strays. “Not having a chance to put the animal - any dog - any strays that we find, puts us in a terrible position,” says Kimmins.

"They're gonna be hungry animals on the streets with no where to go,” adds Stephens.

The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement spokesperson says Camp Papillon needs a building. They must have a place where people can look for dogs during regular business hours. In the meantime anyone who finds a stray dog should call the bureau at 570-563-1840.