Aimal rescue group gets nonprofit status

July 18, 2010 at 12:08a.m.

By MARY GRZEBIENIAK

NEW CASTLE, Pa.

A new group in Lawrence County dedicated to helping abused and neglected animals recently received good news: It has been granted nonprofit status and was awarded a grant to run a low-cost spay and neuter clinic.

Richard Rapone is president of the Lawrence County Animal Relief Fund. The group’s goal is to hire a full-time humane officer to deal with animal neglect and abuse, to help other local animal advocacy groups and to coordinate low-cost spay and neuter clinics.

Rapone, who is also Lawrence County treasurer, said he realized such a group is needed because of the many inquiries his office receives about animal issues. Since the treasurer’s office sells dog licenses, residents often call him with abuse and neglect problems.

Though three animal advocacy groups exist in the county, Rapone said they have limited function and personnel. The Lawrence County Humane Society has a facility where stray animals can be taken and adopts them out. Fur-Ever Family is an Ellwood City, Pa., organization that rescues homeless cats and adopts them out. And Promises for Pets is a “no kill” organization that also adopts animals out. However, Rapone said the three organizations are struggling to meet Lawrence County’s needs. All three organizations have representatives on the relief fund’s board in a cooperative effort to improve the lot of animals here.

Rapone said that though a full-time humane officer is needed here, because Lawrence County is a fifth-class county, it has no power to establish such a position at the county level. Though the state provides a full-time dog warden in Lawrence County, his job is to deal with dangerous dog issues such as bites, damage and rabies, not abuse and neglect.

Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa, who is a member of the relief fund’s board, said he is researching private foundation sources for a grant to fund an additional detective’s position in his office whose primary job would be to investigate animal cruelty and abuse. His staff can do such investigations now, but Lamancusa said such cases have to compete with other criminal cases. Sometimes these cases also are handled by municipal police departments where they also have to compete with other cases. He said he hopes to find some grant money by the end of the year.

The animal relief fund was formed three years ago, and the board is composed of local veterinarians, attorneys and residents. Rapone said the group will meet Aug. 5 with state legislators to discuss the group’s needs including a facility to hold animals.

Rapone said the group already has received $10,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development that have been set aside for purchase of materials for the humane officer who will eventually be hired.

In addition, Rapone said the relief fund received word this week from Animal Friends of Pittsburgh that the group will come into Lawrence County on Aug. 14 and Sept. 4 and 18 with a mobile van to conduct spay and neuter clinics at a reduced rate. Thirty animals can be done each of the three days. The county will provide a room at the government center for post-operative animals.

In the meantime, Rapone said the group always is seeking volunteers and donations. The nonprofit status makes donations tax-deductible. For more information, go to the group’s website at www.lcarf.com or write to P.O. Box 8514, New Castle, PA 16107. The group will have a table at the Lawrence County Farm Show.

He also said that residents can call 724-656-9300 to report animal abuse.

Other officers of the relief fund are: John Altman, vice-president; Atty. Susan Papa, secretary; and Chris Fabian, treasurer. Board members include Lamancusa, Lillian Germaine, Ted Saad, Susan Miller, Linda Leitel, Linda Phillips, Dick Craig, Audrey Blackwell, Tony Court, Marilyn Cook, Dr. Melanie Sumney, Lorraine Vesceri, Susan Lubinski and Mary Ann Gavrile.