Centerville Pet Rescue (CPR) was founded by a group of friends, experienced and passionate about caring for animals in need. These long-time friends spent many months discussing their plans to open a rescue. During the planning process one of these friends, Stella, was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, Stella lost her battle with the disease but prior to her passing she asked that those wishing to honor her life donate to the rescue that she had helped to create. CPR used the funds donated by Stella’s family and friends to start its work. The organization has quickly grown into an animal welfare organization that would have made Stella very proud. She is represented as Director Emeritus to officially recognize her contribution to our organization.
CPR operates an adoption center in Lancaster County PA and works to support the community and surrounding region. Rescue, care and adoption of animals is our primary activity with animals in foster care and at our adoption center. Volunteer fosters provide daily for animals in their care while other volunteers provide for the animals in our adoption center. Considerable time is spent transporting animals to and from veterinary visits and foster homes. Our volunteers also respond to requests from the public regarding animal surrenders, lost pets and our services, which include:
Rescue: The primary purpose of CPR is the rescue of animals in need. Rescue of animals includes accepting strays and surrendered pets from the public, other non-profit animal welfare organizations and veterinary offices.
Care: When an animal is rescued it receives an examination by a licensed veterinarian. The animal is given the necessary vaccinations and is treated for any medical problems or injuries. If the animal is not spayed/neutered, this surgery is scheduled according to the age and health of the pet. We currently depend on discounted fees for these services from local veterinarians and other non-profit animal welfare organizations. These health care costs are substantial and account for most of our adoption program operating expenses.
Once cleared by a veterinarian, the animal is placed into foster care. These volunteer fosters provide a temporary home and assist in evaluating the animal’s temperament, monitor their health, provide socialization and assist in finding the pet a new home. Centerville Pet Rescue continues to improve our adoption center, allowing us to rescue, care for and adopt more animals in need.
Adoptions: We use several methods for finding new homes for the animals we rescue. Promotion online, adoption events, placement in our adoption center and word-of-mouth. Each potential adopter completes an application and is evaluated to ensure the pet is going to a home that best suits that animals’ behavioral preferences and one that has the financial means to care for the pet.
Spay and Neuter: Spaying/Neutering animals is the only proven way to prevent unwanted animal pregnancies and reduce the number of animals needing homes. Centerville Pet Rescue only adopts pets that have been spayed or neutered. If an animal is not spayed or neutered (usually due to age or health restrictions) when rescued, the procedure will be performed prior to adoption or following adoption according to the terms of a signed adoption agreement. As with other health care services, surgeries are performed by licensed veterinarians.
We also work to educate the public about the importance of having their pets spayed or neutered. We promote the social benefit of reducing overpopulation as well as the health benefits for their pet. Spaying and neutering does not just prevent unwanted litters. The procedure can reduce the likelihood of behavioral problems associated with mating instincts such as marking territory and roaming. Pets that are less likely to wander off in search of a mate reduces the risk of a dog or cat being hit by a car, getting lost, fighting, or biting people. The surgery can also greatly minimize the risk of a pet developing testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, prostatic hyperplasia, uterine infection, uterine cancer, pyometra and mammary tumors.
Microchip Identification: Pets without identification have very little chance of being reunited with their families. Centerville Pet Rescue uses microchips on every pet being adopted and offers low-cost microchip clinics to both encourage pet owners to microchip their pets and as a source of funds to support our charitable purpose. Microchipping is part of our efforts to return lost pets to their homes and keep them out of shelters. The simple procedure takes only seconds and requires no anesthesia or surgery. Shelters across the country use hand-held scanners to identify these microchips and return pets to their owners.
In addition to the funds generated through adoption fees and microchip clinics, our organization seeks donations from the public and businesses. We seek these donations through our website and social media sites like Facebook. We also hold fundraising events throughout the year to generate revenue and donations. Finally, many members of our board of director’s have extensive knowledge of the pet industry which provides access to unique sources of funds to help support our work.
