Nonprofit Spotlight: Brandywine Valley SPCA

BY REGINA DONATO

At the Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA), it’s all about putting the “human” back in humane. Since the organization’s inception in 1929 in West Chester, Pennsylvania, their mission has been to not just help animals in need, but their people too. The organization now operates four shelter locations and an Animal Rescue Center in Delaware. In 2021 alone, the shelter provided 18,577 animals with a second chance across Delaware and Pennsylvania—accounting for over 60 percent of shelter intakes in the state.

“We really look at the intersection of pets and people,” explains Chief Marketing Officer Linda Torelli. “We obviously care deeply about the pets with us, but we also want to support the people who are taking care of those pets. So, we have a lot of programs that are designed for families to help people take care of their animals and to keep them even during hard times.” Some of these resources include a lowcost veterinary clinic, pet food pantries, behavioral consultations, and educational summer camps for children.

Setting the organization apart even further, Brandywine Valley SPCA is currently the only open admission shelter in Delaware, meaning they take any lost or stray dog in need, no matter their health, age, behavioral needs, or ability to be rehomed, and help as many cats as possible. Just like people, every animal has a distinctive story. Needs must be uniquely tailored, and past traumas take time to overcome. The Animal Rescue Center in Georgetown solely focuses on rehabilitating more difficult cases so that they too find their forever home.

Not only does the BVSCPA have a presence across all three Delaware counties, but they have also taken their lifesaving mission across the country. While the First State is proudly a no-kill state thanks to BVSPCA’s leadership when they became the state’s provider of animal services, many southern animal facilities still have high euthanasia rates. Local shelters often take in busloads full of dogs from these problem areas, where cost, access and education make spay and neuter services much less prevalent.

“At the end of the day, anyone who is relocating animals is saving lives. But we’re taking that a step further,” remarks Torelli. “Because if you just take the animals out of the community, new animals will be there. We must look at the systemic reasons for overpopulation.” In 2021, BVSPCA moved some of its staff to help a rural Louisiana parish increase the rate of lives saved in the shelter from 20% to 90%. They achieved that goal, in part through relocation but also new programs. Brandywine also opened their own low-cost veterinary clinic in a Louisiana parish just north of New Orleans to implement spay/neuter services to tackle the issue at the root.

The future looks bright for the Brandywine Valley SPCA. A new stateof-the-art facility will be opening in New Castle this summer, which will be the largest and most sophisticated animal welfare facility in the region. Its key attribute will be their intensive care unit for shelter animals and those in the public who cannot afford veterinary care.

Over 19,000 animals enter BVSPCA shelters each year in hopes of finding a home to call their own. Is your new family member waiting for you?

Want to get involved in the Brandywine Valley SPCA’s lifesaving mission? In addition to donating and adopting, the SPCA is looking for foster families at all their locations. Visit their website at www.bvspca. org to learn more about fostering.