Action for Animals Humane Society (AFA) of Latrobe announces the addition of Humane Officer Jessica White to its staff. Officer White, of Greensburg, has been employed with AFA since 2004 as an animal caregiver and handler. Judge Caruso swore in White as a Westmoreland County Humane Officer on Friday, October 26th at 10:15 am.
In addition, a second AFA humane officer is expected to be sworn in within the next few months. This second officer will be one of only a handful of humane officers in the state of Pennsylvania who is also employed by a police department.
AFA is Westmoreland County’s oldest no-kill shelter, governed by an entirely volunteer Board of Directors. The first and only humane officers in the county for over twenty years were employed solely by AFA. AFA continues its commitment to humane education and outreach with the addition of new officers committed to education and enforcement of laws against animal cruelty and neglect.
AFA opened a new state of the art shelter on Route 217 in March 2007. The facility was 100% funded by generous one-time donations from local foundations, businesses and AFA supporters. This 5,000 square foot facility boasts a large surgical wing, separate humane runs/ animal space and a humane office. In addition, special intake and isolation rooms allow for new animals to be medically evaluated before their transition to shelter life. Unique visitation rooms, a cage less cat room, kitten korner, puppy room and adoption office surround the education center. A beautiful 3-acre fenced and wooded dog park provides relaxation and exercise for the shelter residents during the day. Ground will break within the next few months on a lovely cattery to allow indoor exercise and play areas for feline residents. This unique cattery has been specially designed and donated by a generous Ligonier couple who are AFA supporters.
President Kathy Newill states “AFA houses over 125 animals every day. As a no-kill shelter, the demand for our services is at times overwhelming due to limited space and funding. Over 1,000 animals pass through our doors each year that require medical, behavioral or transitional care. We have an excellent Board of Directors and staff who work 365 days a year to care for homeless animals that come to us from all over Westmoreland County. Our shelter manager has over 25 years of experience in animal care and rescue work. In addition to taking in the stray and abused/neglected animals brought to us, AFA also networks with over a dozen open door shelters and animal control facilities to help rescue animals in need. Our priority is to help those animals in dire need first.”
In order to continue humane officer services, education outreach, low cost spay/neuter programs, vaccination clinics, senior for senior adoption programs, free board to animals of domestic violence victims and general animal rescue and adoption services, AFA needs to raise over $325,000 each year. The funds are raised through grant proposals, events, tickets and appeals throughout the year. Newill states “AFA exists because of the support of all the individuals throughout Westmoreland County and Western Pennsylvania who are committed to giving homeless, abused or neglected animals a second chance. We have been matching pets and people since 1983!”
Anyone interested in learning more about AFA events, adoptions or volunteering should visit www.afa.petfinder.org or call the shelter at 724-539-2544. Humane complaints can be filed by calling 724-539-0244.
