County Responds to SPCA's Consideration of Deadline Extension

The  responded Wednesday to a letter that the  wrote late Tuesday evening to the council saying the non-profit may grant an extension on the  from being taken in at the SPCA.

Richard Matelsky, executive director at the SPCA, said in the letter that "an extension may be possible without jeopardizing the sustainability of the organization" if the county funds the costs of animal control during the extension period.

Despite the SPCA’s year notice of its intentions to no longer provide animal control services to Delaware County, county council asked the organization for an extension on June 9 and the 

At that time the council requested  in order to give them time 

The SPCA denied the request at that time because the organization said it believes an extension would violate state charitable solicitation laws and regulations. The SPCA had assured donors that after July 1 their money would not be used for animal control services.

However, Council Chairman Jack Whelan said the county would be willing to pay the cost of animal control services if the SPCA granted an extension.

Upon receiving the SPCA's letter to consider an extended deadline, Delaware County Executive Director Marianne Grace said, on behalf of the council, that they were "pleased" with the extension consideration and were hopeful to work together with the SPCA.

"We feel gratified that the SPCA has at least opened the door and they are expressing a willingness to look at the expenses of what this may entail, and we're happy that we're in a better position than where we were when we sat around the table and they absolutely said 'no,' but we're happy there's a willingness on their part to extend the deadline to help us move on to the next phase," said Grace.

Grace said the next step is to discuss the logistics of the extension and the cost that may incur with animal control services that the county would have to fund.

"That certainly needs to be discussed. We certainly need to look at all those factors that contribute to those costs and make a responsible decision," said Grace. "We'll have to work with them and work specifically what those costs are."

The SPCA currently bills $116 per animal to the municipalities for the cost of animal control services, Justina Calgiano, community relations director at the SPCA, said. 

However, that $116 does not include labor, extended stay or larger medical costs like amputation, she said. 

Calgiano said the organization is evaluating the cost associated with all animal control services in order to give the county an estimated cost of what they would be funding if an extension is granted.

"It’s not a simple figure," she said. "The number will be higher than $116 (per animal) because it will include overhead medical costs and labor."

She said it is expensive to fund animal control and as the SPCA plans its financial future they need to accurately evaluate the cost.

"Animal control costs money," Calgiano said. "It’s not just the nuts and bolts."

Matelsky said in the letter that the county funding "may enable (the SPCA) to segregate all funds solicited from donors… and assure those donors that their contributions would not be used for animal control services on or after July 1, 2011. Doing so could avoid a violation of the charitable solicitation laws and regulations."

Meanwhile, Grace said the county will continue to be in communication with the municipalities of Delaware County to discuss who they're currently contracted with and the costs that they entail.

In a letter to the SPCA, Grace as requested the SPCA send copies of the contracts the SPCA has with each municipality along with a total number of animal control serviced animals per month, per municipality, over the past 12 months. 

Grace also clarified it was the municipalities' responsibility for animal control services.

"The county really has no role or authority in this area," explained Grace. "It's the responsibility of the state and municipalities. This is going to be a big transition for the municipalities and the county wanted to assist them in this area."

When asked why it took so long to develop a plan, Grace explained it was a matter of its lengthy process and the many factors to consider.

"It takes a lot of time to develop new programs, particularly for the county," said Grace. "It's never easy developing a policy. It's not like everyone just sat back and waited. The county wanted to do this for some time and wanted to make sure that we follow the law. We also needed to figure out who is responsible here and  needed to talk for both the municipalities and state police, and to find solutions for those entities."

The Attorney General’s Office has agreed to participate in private discussions between the SPCA and the county as they negotiate the terms of a possible extension. A proposed extension would be subject to Attorney General review.