Animal group needs funds, volunteers

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A Lawrence County relief fund for homeless and abused animals is getting off the ground with an important goal in mind — zero tolerance for animal abuse, said its president, Richard Rapone.

Rapone, who is also county treasurer, has led the effort to organize the Lawrence County Animal Relief Fund. It now has a 12-member board of directors and $1,065 in donations aside from $1,500 the county donated to help with filing fees to become a nonprofit organization, he said Tuesday at a news conference in the county government center.

With him were people he called instrumental in helping to establish LC-ARF, some of its board members, and volunteers who will help with fundraising and community education programs.

The fund, which will even solicit donations through fliers sent out with 10,000 dog-license notifications, is set up with the eventual goal of hiring at least one full-time humane officer for the county.

Though the county has a dog officer now through the state, that officer’s duty is to protect people from animals. He is not focused on animal welfare, though he does do some of that kind of work, officials have said.

For the full story, read today's Vindicator or Vindy.com.