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The Sunday Voice
December 5, 2004
By: Denise Allabaugh

Mercedes, a 3-month-old stray puppy paces back and forth in his kennel at the SPCA of Luzerne County, Plains Township.

The toll of 47 years of countless other homeless animals following the same path are obvious: aging kennels, poor ventilation and collapsing drains.

"You wouldn't want to live in there," said Ed Gross, director of development for SPCA of Luzerne County.

"Paws to Help," a capital improvement campaign, has already raised $400,000 for a major renovation project at the SPCA, but $250,000 is still needed, Gross said.

The project will provide 25 percent more animal space, increased natural light, proper ventilation, updated drainage, better acoustics and new kennels.

"One kennel will be closed and a new one will be erected. Another kennel will be converted and modernized into a new cat room," Gross said. "The budget for the project is $650,000. Without getting that money, the project cannot be completed."

About 7,000 animals enter the SPCA of Luzerne County every year in need of food, care, shelter and adoption, Gross said.

Since 1957, more than half a million animals, from dogs and cats to ferrets, frogs, rabbits and hamsters, have benefitted from the SPCA's care. The facility never turns away an animal.

"A turkey was brought in the day before Thanksgiving, and we found a home for it," Gross said. "We've seen horses, cows, pigs, sheep, birds, you name it, we get it in."

SPCA shelter manager Cindy Starke said it costs about $1,780 a day to run the shelter, but that amount fluctuates depending on how many animals are there.

When the renovation project is completed, Gross said it will provide a more comfortable environment for the animals.

"The acoustics right now in the kennels are just atrocious. You can't hear yourself talk, so you can imagine what it is like for them," Gross said.

Attorney Amanda Wright-Kluger, who is chairing the "Paws to Help" campaign with her husband Attorney Joe Kluger, said over the last four years some municipalities in Luzerne County have only given about $100 apiece to the SPCA.

"If it wasn't for this facility, the different municipalities would have to pay a lot more than $100 to take care of these animals," Kluger said. "This place completely runs on people donating."

Wilkes-Barre City recently donated $500 to the SPCA, which marked the first time the SPCA received a donation from the city in eight years, Gross said.

"Eighty percent of our work is done in Wilkes-Barre," Wright-Kluger noted. "They have an animal control officer and he goes around and picks up the animals and brings them here and we are left with all these expenses."

If the SPCA does not raise enough money, Wright-Kluger said the facility may not be able to operate in Luzerne County in five years.

"We have got to do something to renovate this building because there are structural problems. They cannot just be washed over," she said.

Without the SPCA, Gross and Wright-Kluger said there would be more animal deaths, more cases of rabies and more animals running loose on the streets.

Wright-Kluger, who also is a member of the SPCA board, is an avid animal lover and a proud owner of a dog and a parrot. She came to the United States from England nine years ago, and she said it "devastated" her to see how some Americans treat animals.

"In Europe, animals are treated very differently. They are treated more like a part of your life. They go to restaurants and shops with you. It's not an anti-social thing to have an animal with you everywhere you go," she said. "It's especially important around Christmas time for people to realize that a lot of animals need homes."

In 2003, 75 percent of the dogs and 25 percent of the cats that entered the SPCA were reunited with their owners or adopted into loving homes. That same year, the SPCA saved 96 animals from abuse, welcomed 3,064 from their owners and sheltered 3,306 strays.

Ruth Corcoran, a volunteer who handles publicity for the SPCA campaign, said every little donation helps. "Any amount would be greatly appreciated," Corcoran said. "A lot of little donations add up. People can give donations as gifts."

To help, call 970-SPCA or visit www.pawstohelp.org. Donations may be sent to the SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 E. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.