Affiliation would expand life-saving abilities and provide more opportunities for rehabilitation of the most neglected victims of animal abuse
PHILADELPHIA, July 26, 2018 - Leadership at the Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA) and Main Line Animal Rescue (MLAR) announced today that they are pursuing a potential affiliation that would broaden each organization’s reach and save even more animals in our region.
The governing boards of both organizations have approved a Letter of Intent that outlines a framework whereby Main Line Animal Rescue, one of the area’s leading and most innovative animal rescue organizations, would become an affiliate of the Pennsylvania SPCA, who for 150 years has been fighting animal cruelty and neglect throughout the state.
“It is abundantly clear that our organizations complement each other perfectly, sharing a passion for helping the most vulnerable animals among us,” said Julie Klim, CEO of the Pennsylvania SPCA. “By harnessing our shared missions and working together, we can expand our scope while at the same time, operate more efficiently, ultimately dedicating even more resources to benefit those who matter most – the animals.”
For more two decades, Main Line Animal Rescue has been rehabilitating animals, especially those who are victims of the cruel puppy mill practice, at their sprawling 60-acre facility in Chester County. There, medical staff care for the most vulnerable in their full-service shelter hospital, volunteers provide training programs and a “Home School” where dogs learn how to become family companions, cats have access to free-roaming screened outdoor porches and adoption team place animals in loving homes.
The Pennsylvania SPCA has been on a similar trajectory, dating back to its founding in 1867, standing up for animals subjected to cruelty and neglect. The PSPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement team has boots on the ground in 23 counties across Pennsylvania, rescuing animals who are victims of unlicensed breeders and puppy mills, dog fighting rings, hoarders, or those animals, once loved, who have simply been forgotten. The PSPCA’s Shelter Hospital team works to save the lives of the toughest cases, many animals on the brink of death, passing their care along to a behavior team who works on their challenges until they are ready for a forever home.
Susan Chew, Interim Executive Director of Main Line Animal Rescue, would stay on to lead Main Line Animal Rescue. “Main Line Animal Rescue is thrilled at the opportunity to join the Pennsylvania SPCA family,” said Susan Chew, Interim Executive Director of MLAR. “We would be stronger together and have hope for a future where every animal who has been a victim of cruelty or neglect receives the best care needed to recover and thrive.”
With such similar missions, Main Line Animal Rescue’s leadership jumped at the opportunity to discuss becoming an affiliate of the Pennsylvania SPCA. Together, the organizations would strive to save more animal lives, create operational efficiencies, and most importantly make the lives of animals better while they await their forever families. MLAR’s farm would provide a respite for dogs who have a difficult time living in the kennels at the Pennsylvania SPCA, while the PSPCA’s Erie Avenue headquarters can provide a short stop over for dogs more accustomed to a city lifestyle.
For more information about the Pennsylvania SPCA, visit pspca.org. For more information about Main Line Animal Rescue visit mlar.org.
About PSPCA
Since 1867, the Pennsylvania SPCA, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered at 350 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, has been dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and rescuing animals from abuse and neglect. The Pennsylvania SPCA's lifesaving programs for animals include a low-cost veterinary clinic, low-cost spay and neuter services, pet adoption facilities, and the Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Department. For more information about adopting, donating or volunteering, please call (215) 426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.
About MLAR
Main Line Animal Rescue has an intense focus on eliminating the systemic issues that lead to animal abuse and pet homelessness. This is what has set Main Line Animal Rescue apart as advocates and warriors — fierce opponents of the mass breeding of dogs, and forever fighting for the welfare and future of our nation’s neglected animals. Thanks to more than 600 active and engaged volunteers, an onsite veterinary clinic and innovative training and educational programs, Main Line Animal Rescue helps thousands of animals every year.