FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2015
Chester County SPCA
PHONE: 610-692-6113
www.ccspca.org
CONTACT: Micaela Malloy
PHONE: 610-692-6113 x229
mmalloy@ccspca.org
Petco Foundation Invests in Lifesaving Work of the Chester County SPCA
Grant of $60,000 will extend efforts to save more animal lives in two-county area
WEST CHESTER (May 5) – The Chester County SPCA (CCSPCA) today announced it has been
awarded a $60,000 grant from the Petco Foundation to support the shelter’s outreach initiatives in
the community and increase the organization’s lifesaving capability.
The CCSPCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the welfare and humane treatment
of animals and serves as the open admission shelter for both Chester and Delaware Counties. The
community served by the CCSPCA boasts a population of over 1 million people spread across 934
square miles of varying landscapes, from rural farms to inner cities.
Serving as the only open admission shelter for two counties has forced the CCSPCA to evaluate and
improve shelter programs and services in order to meet the needs of their sizeable community.
Evidence of successful lifesaving efforts can be found in the shelter’s statistics. The CCSPCA’s annual
live release rates achieved have consistently risen in recent years: 60% in 2011, 63% in 2012, 65%
in 2013, and 83% in 2014.
The receipt of the Petco Foundation’s Lifesaving Impact Award acknowledges the success of the
programs and services that have supported the CCSPCA’s efforts thus far and will help maintain the
shelter’s exceptional level of operation moving forward. The Petco Foundation investment will
financially support the CCSPCA’s strategic plan to address unmet needs in the community and
increase the shelter’s lifesaving efforts.
Grant funding will be used to implement a targeted free- and low-cost spay/neuter program in the
areas with the highest poverty rate in each of the respective counties served by the CCSPCA:
Coatesville City in Chester County, and Chester City in Delaware County.
Awarded funds will also be used to support other aspects of the CCSPCA’s outreach efforts, which
include providing free vaccinations, pet supplies, and general wellness care to the pets in shelter’s
targeted areas while also providing humane education to the community.
A free vaccination clinic will be hosted by the CCSPCA on Saturday, May 9 at Chester City Hall, 1
Fourth Street, Chester. The clinic is available to all residents from Delaware and Chester Counties.
The CCSPCA will provide free vaccinations to 300 owned pets in the community as well as free food
assistance to through the shelter’s pet food pantry, Henry’s Cupboard.
According to Adam Lamb, Executive Director, the CCSPCA has learned that it must be adaptable
and progressive in altering shelter programs and services to meet the evolving needs of the
community. “The Petco Foundation grant will help us expand our reach into the community and
allow us to assist animals in need beyond the walls of our shelter,” said Lamb.
The industry-wide goal to be considered a no-kill organization in the animal welfare community is
to achieve a live release rate of at least 90%. The CCSPCA has met and surpassed the 90% live
release goal to achieve no-kill status in each of the last six months. Only a small number of open
admission shelters across the country have met and maintained the no-kill criteria and the CCSPCA
is one of the first to do so in Pennsylvania.
For more information about the Chester County SPCA or the Petco Foundation, please visit
www.ccspca.org or www.petcofoundation.org.
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About the Chester County SPCA:
Founded in 1929, the Chester County SPCA is the only open admission shelter in both Chester and
Delaware Counties. Its mission is to put the “human” back in humane animal treatment and
advocate on their behalf. Each year, the CCSPCA cares for over 5,000 stray, owner-surrendered,
wayward owned, and abused and neglected animals. For more information, please visit
www.ccspca.org.
About the Petco Foundation:
At the Petco Foundation, we believe that every animal deserve to live its best life. Since 1999, we’ve
invested more than $125 million in lifesaving animal welfare work to make that happen. With our
more than 8,000 animal welfare partners, we inspire and empower communities to make a
difference by investing in adoption and medical care programs, spay/neuter services, pet cancer
research, service and therapy animals, and numerous other lifesaving initiatives. Through our
Think Adoption First program, we partner with Petco stores and animal welfare organizations
across the country to increase pet adoptions. So far, we’ve helped more than 4.2 million pets find
their new loving families, and we’re just getting started. Visit petcofoundation.org to learn more
about how you can get involved.