Pa. animal shelter turns away strays due to cost

Pa. animal shelter turns away strays due to cost

6/17/2009, 6:39 p.m. EDT The Associated Press

(AP) — LANCASTER, Pa. - An animal shelter in south-central Pennsylvania says if local governments don't provide them with money, they'll turn away stray dogs found in those municipalities.

The Humane League of Lancaster County says it needs the money to pay for food, laundry, vaccinations and veterinary care are expensive. But 14 townships and boroughs in the county won't pay the per capita fee, so the Humane League won't take in their strays.

Pennsylvania Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement Director Sue West says this means strays are being taken to shelters outside the county. She says she hopes the Humane League and the municipalities come to an accord.