Delaware County S P C A

My husband and I had a horrible experience at Delco SPCA! I understand that these people had tons on their plates and not alot of people to help so I would come in with my 2 sons and take a dog or two out for walks. Every time I went, I was treated like a criminal or an idiot. But I still kept going because it was about the animals, not the rude people. And then I even went as far as to email one of the workers to ask should I adopt or foster. I figured that the person in charge would be able to help decide what was best for our family by giving me information on what is involved with each job. I mean, I know about adoption but I was really think of fostering and needed information! Well, I wrote an email explaining who we are, where we live and how we are trying to help and didn't know if it's better to adopt or foster, what was needed more? I was told basically I don't have time for this and to call back when I can make up my mind what I wanted. Needless to say, I never went or called back!! So I am writing a negative review but I did TRY to volunteer AND get involved. Obviously, like stated by others, they are not concerned with the animals well being, I guess you have to be connected or have friends in their to get decent treatment. And this includes their mgmt. There was a woman there at the time (I was told by someone else she was in charge and she was always nasty) who was in charge and she wasn't any better! And just a note regarding the building...I have looked at SPCA's all over this tri-state area and all are run by county and donations and no other SPCA looks as bad as ours!! Where does the money they get go?? I mean, besides in a bunch of peoples pockets who don't really care? Every other county in this area manages to have a decent building with reasonable fees and survive on the same type of funding?? Even Philly's places are better. I think someone needs to take a look at the goings on in that place. OH and one more thing, the reason there are so many Rotties and Pitts is because that is the area we live in, it's the "in" thing to get a tough looking dog and then they can't or don't want to take care of it...so they dump it. I will adopt a Rottie any day over any other dog!! Learn before you Judge!!

I had a similar experience here. I went to adopt a kitten. After choosing one out, I filled out the long application, vet refs, etc. I brought a copy of my lease to prove that I am allowed to have pets. After everything was approved, I was informed that I just needed to have my landlord write the SPCA a letter confirming that I was allowed to have a cat in my apartment. I pointed out that it explicitly said in my lease that pets were permitted. That was not enough. I called my landlord and he wanted to know why the lease wasn't sufficient. After explaining the situation, he said that he understood but that he didn't understand why they needed a letter when my lease stated that I was allowed to have pets. He said that he was unwilling to write such a letter for fear of incurring some sort of legal liability outside what was provided in my lease. He said that they could call him and he would confirm that my lease was valid in all respects. When I relayed this to the SPCA, however, they said that a phone call wasn't enough, that they had to have it in writing. So I bought a kitten out of the paper. So much for trying to rescue unwanted animals.

Visit The Delco SPCA, where many wonderful animals are available for adoption. If you are looking for a companion stop in and take a look. Save a Life and Adopt today.

I work at the local mall and an outreach program for the Delco SPCA was there and I fell in love with a cat named Daphne. I immediately fell in love with her. They told me she had been in the shelter since June 12, 2008. That day was August 16, 2008. So, Daphne has been there for a while. I was so excited when I chose to adopt her and I told the lady, who was very nice, that I would be at the SPCA around 6 pm after work to get Daphne and fill out the application. When I got there I immediately walked back to the over populated room of kitties crying and hissing to find my little lover, Daphne curled up in a corner just waiting for a loving home. After I filled out the application they started doing some research and asking me 20 questions. I do agree with this process because I don't think anyone should be able to just walk in and adopt an animal. That shows me that they are ligit and yes they do care. They told me I had to come back the next day or the day after because my vet was closed where we take our dog, they need references. Okay, understandable. The next day at 11 when they open, my mother and I were there and ready to get Daphne. Once again, it was question after question, and then told me to my face that I was a liar. Which, I never lied!! They are all heartless. Along with almost everyone that I have spoken to since this incident, they all have horror stories to top mine. Do not ever bring your pets there...they are better off wild...at least they won't be part of a concentration camp! All the women that work there should be in the cages! No wonder it is over populated. They make it so hard to adopt.

We lost our Jack Russell of 16 yrs in February & found the need to have another dog in our house in Chester County in May. . .we saw a dog we felt we would love on Petfinder from DelCo SPCA & she was fostered to a volunteer fireman in DelCo. After several e-mails we agreed & met at the DelCo shelter for potential adoption. . .it was love at first sight for my wife & I & Jade, a pit bull terrier mix, who looks more pit bull than mix. . .I had reservations about owning a pit bull but this girl is a sweetheart. . .and the attention we received from the staff/VOLUNTEERS was exceptional, despite the number of people present at the shelter whom I observed to be extremely impatient. . .I recommend that those writing the negative reviews do something about what they are complaining about like VOLUNTEER to help, foster an animal, donate money, GET INVOLVED. . .it's always easy to be the arm chair quarterback. . .don't ALMOST do something, DO IT. Thank you Sarah, Dayna & Dave for the time that you give to those needing a home . Highest regards, John & Dale R.

I have volunteered ay the delcospca for over a year. they have made dramatic changes and things there are much better. The foster program has enabled dogs to be socialized and have saved hundreds of dog's lives. The county Spca has to take in every dog who comes in their door. That's the law. To suggest that there is pit bull and aggressive breeds because the person who runs it loves pit bulls just shows ignorance and lack of understandng how shelters work. You have a much better chance of being bit by a small dog than a pit bull. When I first started volunteering there I was leary of pit bulls and rottweilers and german shepherds. After volunteering for a year, these are some of the nicest dogs I have ever met. When i rescued my dog i was told that he was an austrailian shpeherd/;lab mix.I got him from a New Jersey puppy rescue. Guess what- as he grew to looked more and more like a pit bull mix. He is sentitive, bright and quite frankly the love of my life.He amazes everyone he meets. Dogs are brought to the spca because they are strays and also for various reasons- one of which is " I'm Moving."Some people just don't care about their pets and that's why shelters are full. I have worked with various breeds and pit bulls can be the most loving and loyal of all. Don't judge a book by its cover. By they way, the only time i was bit there was by lassie, a collie. The delcospca has a way to go but understanding their purpose sure would go a long way.

I went on a Saturday with my fiancee to adopt a cat, and found, by accident, Aristocrat, a long haired male. I say by accident because he was a shy boy and huddled in the back of his cage and his tag was mislabeled as being a shorthair. The instant I held him, I knew he was my new kitty.

We immediately started the adoption process which was a trial in itself because apparently, our Vet records were not good enough. In the end, they only agreed to allow us to adopt becuase my fiancee's mother had excellent vet recommendations from an office they work with. They explained he would need to be neutered, and that we would be able to pick him up on Tuesday night.

I visited the shelter one more time, on my own, to spend time with him. I brought treats and toys to help him get out of his shell and within 30 minutes I had him playing and purring.

Tuesday evening, hours before we were supposed to pick him up, I received a call stating that he had tested positive for Feline Leukemia. I was stunned. He had been at the shelter for over 2 weeks... in the communal adoption room and his information card stated that there were no health concerns. For those of you unaware, Feline Leukemia highly contagious and deadly. At most he has 3 years to live, and every cat in that adoption room was in danger of being infected.

The next day we went back to the "facility" to see what could be done. The desk clerk was completely unaware of the situation, and completely non-plussed. He asked if we wanted to "trade" for another cat. After that, we politely but firmly requested a refund... which took over 30 minutes, because he didn't know how to do it. During that time, no one asked if we would like to go to the Quarantine room to say goodbye to him. We'll never see him again.

The whole exerience has been heartbreaking, and I'm concerned for the well being of the animals in that shelter. I am especially disappointed that there was no attempt at an apology. The whole situation was handled very poorly on their part.

I will never reccommend this shelter to any of my friends or family.

My best friend and I went to Delaware County SPCA to adopt a dog named Cameo. Her daughters waited for 6 days until the dog was available for adoption. My friend was declined because she has a bunny and has never taken the bunny to the vet. The bunny is a perfectly healthy three year old. She did not realize that she was engaging in "animal cruelty" by not taking a healthy bunny to the vet. Instead we engaged in child cruelty as we left the SPCA with a crying 7 year old and 4 year old. Unfortunately, Cameo was deprived of happy loving home.

I took at stray cat there, I already have 2 cats and thought 3 might be too much. Before I left the cat there I asked them if a note could be added to the file stating if under any circumstance the animal would have to be put to sleep to call me and I would adopt it. Two different people told me "no problem" and the note was added. I called a week later to check on the cat and they said it was not adopted yet, I asked them AGAIN if the note was on there and the woman told me "yes". I called the next week to see how the cat was and they told me it was put to sleep because it had a Respiratory Infection. I asked them why didnt they call me like the note on the file told them to. The Manager said that the SPCA doesnt call anyone prior to putting an animal down. Why didnt the 3 different people I talked to about calling me prior to euthanizing the animal tell me that it was not allowed. Isnt that the whole purpose of the SPCA, to try and save animals lives? I would have adopted the cat and paid for any medical expenses (might I add that an Upper Respiratory Infection is very treatable with antibiotics). I actually gave them a donation that day and now I feel like I paid for that cat to be killed. It doesnt make sense. I will never deal with the Delaware County SPCA again!

I have adopted 2 dogs from this SPCA. My wonderful Samantha (Mongrel) who was born at this SPCA and passed away last Christmas at the age of 16 and adorable Nosey Parker (Cairn/Westie) adopted in February 2007. It's true that this facililty is filled with Pitt bulls and Rottweilers that people don't want, but they have many other dogs, some are in foster homes. This SPCA has it's share of problems but that's why I go there, the kill rate is high and these dogs are in need. Samantha and Nosey are two of the smartest, most loyal and loving dogs I've ever known.

I have adopted two dogs from this SPCA over the years and had good experiences though my Beagle had Kennel Cough which responded to a short course of oral antibiotics. I recently revisited the SPCA for adoption of another dog and to my dismay, the majority of the dogs were Pitt Bulls and Rottweilers. You are going to have to go to this place a lot if you are looking for another breed.

This is a nice spca. They have a good selection of pets and they try there best to care for them and find a home for them . They are nice and curtous and for a donation can have a very nice pet. I have gotten several pets there, over the years and I like there friendly care and it is on a beauitiful piece of ground. Good choice.

PROS: good choice for your pet
CONS: Hard to find, on a back road,