Grant to Support Central PA's New Animal Shelter

A $700,000 grant announced on Tuesday, October 22 will help Central Pennsylvania Humane Society build a new shelter in Antis Township, according to Rep. Jim Gregory (R-Blair).

Central Pennsylvania Humane Society intends to consolidate its services at an eight-acre parcel on Old Sixth Avenue. Plans call for 54 dog kennels and 32 cat kennels that can be adjusted based on animal size.

“The Central Pennsylvania Humane Society is a well-respected organization that has been doing its best with outdated, undersized facilities. This grant will kickstart the project to build the new shelter, which will benefit humans and animals alike,” Gregory said.

The grant is funded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority via slot machine gaming, not tax dollars.

“The humane society has operated since the late 1980s from three pieces of landlocked property, and we’ve done our best to work with older buildings and infrastructure. However, we simply cannot facilitate the number of dogs brought to us,” Joseph Zolna said, president of Central Pennsylvania Humane Society.

The nonprofit organization spends more than $400,000 a year on utility costs and building upkeep. It hopes to slash those bills with a modern, efficient structure.

“This project will allow us to add walking trails and a public vet clinic that is up to code,” Zolna said, noting a consolidation project has been in discussion stages for 20 years.

Gregory said he felt compelled to advocate for the grant after learning that local police departments sometimes need to hold stray dogs because the existing 12 kennels at the animal shelter are full.

“Relationships with animals, particularly dogs and cats, enrich our lives,” he said. “This worthwhile project will do much to enhance those relationships in the future.”