The Humane Society of Lackawanna County held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the expansion of the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter. This expansion has been made possible by the Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture.
“This animal shelter expansion is important to South Abington Township and Lackawanna County as a whole,” said Rural Development State Director Tom Williams. “Not only will this allow for better facilities for the shelter’s animals, but it will also allow the employees and volunteers of the shelter to provide a better quality of care for the animals as well.”
The funding comes in the form of a low-interest Community Facility loan from Rural Development in the amount of $3 million. This loan will be used to expand the existing facility by 5,000 square feet with additional upgrades such as new ventilation and climate-control, and an automatic flushing system to remove animal waste. Last year, Griffin Pond cared for approximately 3,465 animals, with over a 90% adoption rate. Currently, the shelter has approximately 205 animals, five over their normal capacity.
In Pennsylvania last year, the USDA Community Facility Program invested over $199 million in rural Pennsylvania through 58 community facilities loans and grants. Community Facilities programs help build, expand, rehabilitate, purchase, and support the development of police and emergency fire stations and equipment, museums, child care centers, hospitals, clinics, schools, and more.
President Obama’s historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.