Lawrence County creates fund for abused animals


August 27, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

The fund might also eventually pay for a humane officer, the county treasurer said.

STAFF REPORT

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A new fund is being set up to help abused, neglected and injured animals in Lawrence County, and it needs volunteers.

Treasurer Richard Rapone told county commissioners at a meeting Tuesday the Lawrence County Animal Relief Fund is now being incorporated.

It will be a nonprofit fund set up to accept donations so groups and individuals who help stray or abused animals can request help with costs, Rapone said.

A board of directors will oversee the fund. It has 10 members now, including Rapone; Cindy Mittica, county Humane Society director; Sue Papa, director of the nonprofit rescue group Promises for Pets; and New Castle police officer Chris Fabian. Anyone else interested in serving can contact Rapone, he said. In particular, he said, the fund needs the input of veterinarians on the board.

The fund also needs committee members, who will do front-line work with animals who need help and will also assist with fund-raising.

Rapone pursued the idea for the fund after commissioners discovered Lawrence can’t hire a humane officer because of limited powers as a fifth-class county.

Commissioners said they’ve received many calls and e-mails from county residents who were concerned about animals and believed the county should have a humane officer.

Rapone said he hopes some day the fund will be able to pay the salary of a humane officer who could be hired through the Humane Society.

Rapone said the fund should have its nonprofit status in a few weeks and is in the process of filing for tax-exempt status, which could take several months. Anyone who wants to donate now can do so, but should check with an accountant first about a tax exemption, Rapone said. Mail donations to LC-ARF, c/o County Treasurer Richard Rapone, 430 Court St., 16101.

Anyone who wants to serve on the LC-ARF board or committee can call Rapone at (724) 656-2484, or e-mail him at rlrapone@co.lawrence.pa.us.