Sunday, November 28, 2010
By jeanne starmack
new castle, pa.
The Lawrence County Animal Relief Fund, with a goal to help abused, sick and homeless animals, has come a long way in a few short years.
Established in the fall of 2008 with a $1,500 donation from the county for filing fees to become a nonprofit organization, it now has more than $20,000 from donations and grants, said County Treasurer Richard Rapone, who spearheaded its formation.
About 30 volunteers help with fund-raisers that included a booth at the Lawrence County Fair this year and a Back to the Fifties dance in August at the pavilion in Cascade Park, he said at his office in the county government center Friday.
“We have come a long way as far as education and awareness of our organization,” Rapone said.
The fund also organized five low-cost spay-neuter clinics for cats, bringing Animal Friends’ mobile surgery unit to the county government center in New Castle in August, September, October and November.
“They show up at 7 a.m. and go until 4:30 p.m.,” said John Altman, LC-ARF’s acting president. “They took care of 130 cats over the five sessions.”
Now, the fund wants to pursue a trap-neuter-return program for feral cat colonies, finding homes for kittens and tame strays while getting basic vet care and neutering for cats too feral to adopt before returning them to their areas.
The fund also is exploring how to obtain a humane officer for the county through the efforts of county District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa, who sits on its board. Meanwhile, it maintains zero tolerance for animal abuse and has worked to ensure that if someone calls the county’s nonemergency number, the county dog officer or a police officer will respond.
It continues to support other nonprofit animal organizations, such as Promise for Pets, with donations.
A long-term goal is to help people with veterinary expenses on a case-by-case basis.
“Because we’re so young, we don’t have unlimited funds,” Rapone said. “But my dream has always been — have enough funds to help people with vet care.”
“We’re moving so quickly and growing in so many areas,” said Rapone, who touted the fund’s board of directors that includes political figures from throughout the county, teachers and a police officer.
He also credited professionals who have done pro bono work, such as Atty. Ted Saad who donated his time to file the paperwork for the fund’s nonprofit status. Another attorney, Susan Lubinsky, put together the fund’s donation and conflict-of-interest polices, he said.
“We’re all blessed with gifts and talents, and I was able as treasurer to reach a lot of people,” said Rapone, who stepped down as the fund’s president so he can campaign again for office next year.
Altman has the reins now and is working on the cat-colony program.
The fund also is planning on resuming the low-cost spay-neuter cat clinics in the spring.
To make a tax-deductible donation, send a check to LC-ARF, P.O. Box 8514, New Castle, Pa., 16107.