Delaware County changes animal-control rules

The Delaware County SPCA announced last summer that it would cease to euthanize stray animals and focus on programs to reduce overpopulation. As a result, it will no longer accept stray animals from the municipality — a move that has many fearing stray animals roaming in all parts of the county, becoming hurt, or worse.

As reported in the Inquirer on Sunday, people taking strays to their local shelters are being told to contact local authorities or pony up fees of up to $116 to the Delco SPCA for room and board.

Twenty of the county’s 49 municipalities have not renewed contracts with the privately run SPCA, and  shelter officials are holding firm in turning away strays brought in from municipalities that won’t pay. 

Shelter officials are being asked to reconsider the timeline of their decision and Gov. Rendell is expected to address the issue of animal-control before he leaves office Tuesday.