Susquehanna SPCA Creates Animal Abuse Hotline

The Susquehanna SPCA (SQSPCA) announced the creation of a phone hotline so the public can report suspected cases of animal abuse. Executive Director Stacie Haynes says, “the ‘Here to Help Hotline,’ is intended to help prevent hardship from escalating to cruelty,” The hotline is free, completely confidential and judgment-free. Callers are asked to answer a series of questions so that the reported animal abuse can be assessed and the best course of action determined.

To address the all-too-frequent animal neglect and abuse cases, back in February of 2019, the PETS Task Force was created. PETS, which stands for Prevention, Education, Training and Systems is a partnership between SQSPCA and local law enforcement officials to tackle the issue of animal cruelty in the county. The task force was created in response to a high profile abuse case where as many as 104 animals were seized from a New Lisbon Farm in the spring of 2018.

SQSPCA says that most of the reports they receive involve lack of food, water, shelter, and general animal care. Larger, more complex cases can result in on-site investigations, animal seizure, and prosecuting offenders.

The animal abuse hotline number is 607-547-8111, extension 108. You can also report a suspected case of animal cruelty on the animal shelter's website at sqspca.org/report-animal-cruelty.