Delaware SPCA extends animal control contract with city

The Delaware SPCA and Wilmington leaders have agreed to a one-year extension of the city’s animal control contract, three days after the current contract expired.

The city will pay the Delaware SPCA $345,000 for another year of services, a $93,030 increase from the year before. The nonprofit says it had to end its 120-year partnership with the city because the $250,000 the city used to pay simply wasn’t enough. 

“It’s become more and more financially unfeasible for us to continue because the city really only pays for the officer part and not so much for the care of the animals once they come into our care,” executive director Anne Cavanaugh told WHYY in April.

Since the Delaware SPCA went no kill in 2009, it says animals remain in the shelter much longer, now that it’s no longer euthanizing animals for space.

Leading up to the June 30th expiration, the city was in talks with the Kent County SPCA, who takes care of animal control in all three counties, but the agency’s bid was rejected. 

 

“The city is pleased to continue its long-standing relationship with the Delaware SPCA,” said Mayor James Baker. “It is very reassuring to know that our trusted partners will continue to provide professional, compassionate care for city pets in need.”

 

“There has recently been a lot of change and uncertainty regarding animal control statewide, and we were concerned that it was not a good time to end our relationship with the city of Wilmington,” said Cavanaugh.

 

The newly agreed upon animal control contract expires June 30, 2013.