120th Anniversary

Today is the 120th Anniversary of the signing of the Lycoming County SPCA charter.  Our organization has survived because of the dedicated donors, staff, volunteers, and board of directors who are committed to animal welfare and financial stability.  As we witness the closing of shelters across Pennsylvania, we are proud to say that we are still going strong and improving every day.

In just the past 13 years of my employment with the Lycoming County SPCA I have witnessed tremendous changes.  We no longer euthanize dogs because we run out of space.  This is due, in part, to spaying and neutering.  Our population is becoming manageable.  We still have periods of overflow, but manage to find foster homes and temporary housing.

Thirteen years ago an animal would come in, get its shots, then was put in a kennel.  Now, the animal is weighed, examined, ears cleaned, photographed, put on the web-site, scheduled for a bath, temperament tested, placed on the walk schedule, microchipped, and spayed or neutered. Thirteen years ago, every record was hand-written.  Now everything is recorded via computer. 

We are making progress.  In the moment it seems small and insignificant.  If you think about progress in terms of decades, WOW!  We are making progress.