Employees of the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter in Greene Township, Franklin County are dealing with a serious problem. They’ve moved to a new location, but people are still leaving animals at the old shelter, which is now empty.
The shelter moved in January to a brand-new, huge complex at 5051 Letterkenny Road West. But, word hasn’t gotten to everyone.
“For some reason, people are continuing to drop off animals at the old shelter,” said Jennifer Vanderau, director of communications for the shelter.
A “road closed” barricade at the former location and overgrowth at the property still aren’t stopping people. The shelter doesn’t have an exact figure, but since the move, watchful neighbors have called in numerous reports of abandoned dogs, cats, puppies and kittens at the old building.
“It’s pretty obvious no one is there,” Vanderau said. “So I don’t understand why anyone would drop an animal off there.”
The best way to turn in an animal is to drop it off in person at the new shelter. There are also designated cages outside the shelter, where people can leave strays after hours.
Vanderau says she just wants to prevent a tragic situation that can easily be avoided.
“One dog that’s left out there, or one box of kittens that’s forgotten out there. That’s one too many in my opinion,” she said.
CSX now owns the old shelter property and will be stepping up patrols in the area to deter people from dumping animals there.