Delaware Humane Association (DHA) and Delaware SPCA announced their boards of directors voted to commence a process that would combine the two organizations.
The integration process is expected to be complete in fall 2021, pending completion of the legal process, allowing Delaware SPCA and DHA to fully combine business operations within the coming year.
According to a release, DHA and Delaware SPCA will work to expand upon their shared goals of ensuring the safety and well-being of companion animals through temporary housing and adoption, spay/neuter, and affordable veterinary services.
Operations will continue at each organization’s current Wilmington, Christiana/Newark, and Rehoboth Beach locations.
Both organizations are non-profit, no-kill agencies sharing complementary missions. Delaware SPCA and DHA have been collaborating for many years on animal transports, pet food pantry events, and sharing resources.
After the merger, DHA’s Executive Director, Patrick Carroll, will serve as CEO. Delaware SPCA’s Executive Director, Anne Cavanaugh, will serve as chief operating officer.
Both Delaware SPCA and DHA’s day-to-day operations, programs, and services will continue as normal during the transition period, without interruption.
As specific details are finalized during the merger implementation process, DHA and Delaware SPCA will share updates via their websites and social media channels.
The Delaware SPCA had struggled in the past and at one point announced plans to close the Stanton shelter about five years ago and sell the property.
A decision to put animal control work under state control led to the Brandywine SPCA handling those duties and affected revenues at the SPCA.
The organization emerged as a no-kill shelter, like DHA.
Delaware is believed to be the only state with all no-kill shelters that can save more than 90 recent animals.
More recently, adoptions have outpaced available animals, leading to imports from other states. Animal adoptions increased during the Covid-19 pandemic.
DHA made national news after now-President Joe Biden adopted a rescue German Shepherd that was named Major.
Major is the first shelter dog to live at the White House. He was in the news in March over minor biting incidents. No reports have surfaced since that time.
