Allied Services Urgently Requests Assistance for Dog Allied Services is reaching out to the community for urgent assistance regarding a 6-year-old, 40-pound male dog named Odin. Odin is currently in need of immediate rehoming and medical attention after the recent passing of his owner. Odin, a friendly dog who has never been to a veterinarian and is not vaccinated, has developed a rash on his back and legs. His family, located in Nanticoke, PA, is unable to provide the necessary care or financial support for his medical needs. While the Luzerne County SPCA has generously offered assistance with food, the family is looking for help in securing a caretaker, foster, or permanent home for Odin as soon as possible. The family is willing to transport Odin to any location in the NEPA region and is seeking any available resources to cover his care and rehoming fees. Financial assistance is available to offset adoption or care costs for those able to help. If you can offer assistance or know of potential solutions, please contact Laurie at Allied Services’ Pet Peace of Mind program at 570-290-3285 (call or text). We appreciate your dedication to animal welfare and your continued support of the animals in our community. The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative is reaching out to the community for urgent assistance regarding a 6-year-old, 40-pound male dog named Odin. Odin is currently in need of immediate rehoming and medical attention after the recent passing of his owner. Odin, a friendly dog who has never been to a veterinarian and is not vaccinated, has developed a rash on his back and legs. His family, located in Nanticoke, PA, is unable to provide the necessary care or financial support for his medical needs. While the Luzerne County SPCA has generously offered assistance with food, the family is looking for help in securing a caretaker, foster, or permanent home for Odin as soon as possible. The family is willing to transport Odin to any location in the NEPA region and is seeking any available resources to cover his care and rehoming fees. Financial assistance is available to offset adoption or care costs for those able to help. If you can offer assistance or know of potential solutions, please contact Laurie at Allied Services’ Pet Peace of Mind program at 570-290-3285 (call or text). We appreciate your dedication to animal welfare and your continued support of the animals in our community.
NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative Expands Efforts to Support Animals The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, formed in 2019 by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, is making significant strides in advancing animal welfare throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Bringing together over 40 local animal shelters, rescues, advocates and sanctuaries, the Collaborative focuses on improving the lives of animals through innovative programs, partnerships, and expanded resources. Affordable Veterinary Care In March 2023, the Collaborative, in partnership with Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, launched the NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic in Dalton. This state-of-the-art facility provides accessible and affordable veterinary care, addressing a critical gap in animal healthcare services in the region. Spay/Neuter Initiatives Additionally in March 2023, the Collaborative received a transformative grant from Bob Jones’ Dog Trust to promote canine spay/neuter initiatives. The funding enabled the distribution of over 150 spay/neuter vouchers, directly supporting responsible pet ownership and reducing the region’s stray dog population. Addressing Feral Cat Challenges In response to a rising feral cat population, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Collaborative launched a Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) initiative in partnership with the NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic. In August 2024, three dedicated clinic events provided free spaying, neutering, vaccinations and veterinary care for over 100 feral cats in Lackawanna County. The program has successfully mitigated concerns around disease transmission, wildlife interactions and neighborhood disruptions caused by feral cats. New Website to Enhance Regional Animal Welfare Efforts This month, the Collaborative will unveil a comprehensive regional animal welfare resource guide on its new website. The guide will feature essential contacts for shelters, rescues, veterinary care, trainers, and TNR programs, providing a one-stop resource for the public while easing the strain on local facilities. These initiatives are just the latest examples of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative’s commitment to improving animal welfare across the region. To learn more or get involved, visit nepaawc.org and follow the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative on Facebook.
The Scranton Area Community Foundation NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic Launches On Thursday, March 2, The Scranton Area Community Foundation celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception that was held at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Dalton launching the opening of the NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic. The NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic is a project of the Indraloka Animal Sanctuary along with the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. The mission is to increase access to quality, low-cost veterinary care for animals in the care of 35+ animal welfare organizations across the Northeastern Pennsylvania region. The NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic was made possible by funding from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, along with support from other funders. Thanks to grant support from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, Indraloka Animal Sanctuary was able to hire Dr. Leslie Interlandi as a full-time veterinarian for the NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic. The NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic offers services to 501(c)3 rescues, shelters, and sanctuaries located in Northeastern Pennsylvania that are part of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. To become involved with the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, contact the Scranton Area Community Foundation at awc@safdn.org
NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative to Host 2nd Mobile Spay/Neuter Event The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, an initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, will sponsor its second mobile spay/neuter event in partnership with Eastern PA Animal Alliance (EPAA), on Thursday, July 29, 2021, beginning at 8:00 a.m. in Luzerne County at 588 Hazel Street in Wilkes Barre. This is the second of three mobile spay/neuter events to take place this year based on overwhelming need, sponsored by the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative. During the first event, which took place on July 22, 2021, in Lackawanna County, 51 pre-registered applicants brought their domestic or feral cats to receive spay/neuter services at a low cost ($5 for feral cats and $10 for domestic cats). Cats also received rabies and distemper vaccines as needed. This event aims to provide assistance to pet owners who may be facing economic challenges to help control the pet population across the region. “This is the second of three spay/ neuter events sponsored by the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, the first of which resulted in over 50 cats being spayed, neutered and vaccinated in one day,” stated Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO, Laura Ducceschi. “These mobile events are so important because they help to reduce the numbers of homeless animals and give people a very affordable option. We’re grateful to EPAA for making these services available.” Due to the high demand and the maximum capacity reached for this event, the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative is unable to take any additional applications for appointments for the scheduled mobile spay/neuter events at this time. Reporters and members of the media are invited to attend to cover the event. A project of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative works on initiatives aimed at ensuring animals in Northeastern Pennsylvania can achieve a happy and healthy life, free from abuse and neglect. The Collaborative is composed of over 40 individuals and organizations in the animal shelter, rescue, sanctuary, and welfare community including Griffin Pond, In Pursuit of Grace, Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, and others. To learn more about the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative or to become involved, please visit the Collaborative’s website, nepaawc.org, or follow the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative on Facebook. For more information about these mobile spay/neuter events, please contact Brittany Pagnotti, Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Communications Manager at 570-347-6203. Donations to the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative are accepted online at safdn.org or by check made payable to the Scranton Area Foundation indicating “NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative Fund” in the memo mailed to the Scranton Area Community Foundation, 615 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 102, Scranton, PA 18510.
