Portion of SPCA site in Stanton to become Royal Farms under lease deal

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The Delaware SPCA has announced  a development plan for its site in Stanton.

Financing from Applied Bank will enable the shelter to provide the infrastructure necessary to lease out the road-facing portion of  a nearly 21-acre property at 455 Stanton Christiana Road.

The development consists of three pad sites. The first to be developed will house a Royal Farms convenience store and gas pumps, expected to be completed in mid-2018. Leases for the remaining pads are in negotiation. 

The land will remain under the ownership of the society and lease payments will support the mission of the group. The long-term future of the group  has  been in question in recent years. 

The SPCA remains  open during construction.

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“The Delaware SPCA is proud to be able to work with a fellow Delaware institution as we enter our 145th year of serving our state’s animal welfare needs,” said Kathie Herel, president of the SPCA Board of Directors.

“The SPCA’s needs for the development plan were unique. Applied Bank took the time to understand them and quickly found us an option to move forward,” said Anne Cavanaugh, acting executive director.

 “It was a pleasure to work with a great organization like the Delaware SPCA,” added Art Lodge, chief lending officer of Applied Bank. “We worked closely with their leadership group to structure a loan that will be beneficial to the future of the shelter. Applied Bank is proud to add the Delaware SPCA to our growing list of valued customers.”

The Delaware SPCA, the oldest animal welfare organization in the state, was incorporated in 1873 in response to the mistreatment of livestock being led to market in the city of Wilmington. In 1972, the Delaware SPCA built its current Stanton Shelter on land donated by philanthropist Emily du Pont. 

In 2008, the Delaware SPCA declared itself a No Kill operation. The following year, the society inaugurated the Jane R. Haggard Spay/Neuter Clinic, the first of its kind in Delaware, providing high-volume, high-quality low-cost spay/neuter services. 

The shelter site also is home to the state’s largest pet cemetery, serving as the final resting place for more than 1,600 companion animals. 

For more information, visit delspca.org.

Applied Bank has branches at 2200 Concord Pike in Wilmington and at Route 1 and Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.

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