About Us - Contact - Hours

Founded in 2013, the LCSPCA will be the leader in serving Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with all available means and resources to prevent and alleviate the suffering of animals, and provide sheltering, humane care and adoptions of stray and unwanted animals and animals who come to us as the result of owner surrender and cruelty investigations.  As a non-profit organization and 501(c)(3) we are not a branch of any national or local Humane Society or SPCA. We accept any domestic animal from individuals, while primarily being supported through public donations.  

Note: During our initial opening we are operating on a staff of only four employees in order to keep our labor costs low which will enable us to designate more funds for the care of the animals. For general questions, please allow us 48 hours to return your phone call or email.

If you are interested in adopting an animal currently at the shelter, please visit the shelter at 599 Chesapeake Street, Lancaster, PA during regular business hours. 

Contact Information
Physical Location & Mailing Address

599 Chesapeake Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
717-917-6979
info@lancasterspca.org

 Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday  - 10am - 7pm
Sunday - 11am - 6pm
Wednesday - CLOSED

What's the difference between the Lancaster County SPCA which is an “Open Admission” shelter and other animal groups, like “No-Kill/”Limited Admission” shelters or groups? The LCSPCA is an independent non-profit organization, not a municipal or government agency.  We rely mainly on fees for services and donations from our local community to fund our mission.  The LCSPCA is an “Open Admission” shelter. 

An "Open Admission" facility turns away no animal, and that open door policy brings with it certain realities and responsibilities. "Limited Admission” or No-kill" shelters limit both the type and the number of animals they will accept. When their shelter cages or foster homes are filled, they may reject the next animal regardless of its condition or circumstance. In that instance, the individual with a stray or unwanted animal is left to find another source for relinquishing the animal, usually to an "Open Admission" shelter.

"Limited Admission" organizations often promote themselves as "No Kill" shelters. However, few of them accept sick or injured animals, or provide care for lost or stray animals. These organizations may rarely investigate and prosecute complaints of cruelty and neglect. They may decline to serve older animals or those with health or behavior problems. They may decline to accept the return of unsuccessful adoptions.

The LCSPCA is licensed by the PA Department of Agriculture and conforms to dog laws established by the state.

Is the Lancaster County SPCA funded by or related to other organizations, like the Humane Society of the United States?  No.  The LCSPCA is an independent, non-profit organization, not related to HSUS, the ASPCA, or any other Humane Societies.

Is the Lancaster County SPCA a taxpayer supported municipal agency? The LCSPCA is a private, non-profit organization not supported with tax dollars. Many local municipalities have contracted with the Lancaster County SPCA for direct services for stray animals. The LCSPCA has received loans from Lancaster City in order to sustain itself financially until the LCSPCA can support itself with fees for services, grants and donations.

Can Lancaster County SPCA guarantee that my pet will be adopted? No. We do our best place adoptable animals that are healthy and free of serious behavior issues - into loving new homes.  But we cannot guarantee that your pet may not be humanely euthanized if he/she has or develops medical or behavioral issues after being accepted into our adoption program.  

No animals served by the LCSPCA have been euthanized due to space limitations. We network with local shelters and rescue groups in order to care for all animals brought to us. If, in the future, capacity becomes an issue, we will notify owners of the surrendered animals and encourage them to use other resources to find a home for that animal. Animals served by the LCSPCA are not limited in how long they may stay. Animals that are medically and behaviorally healthy are cared for until they are adopted or transferred to an appropriate rescue organization.

Does the Lancaster County SPCA euthanize strays? In accordance with Pennsylvania law, stray animals will be held for 48 hours to give owners an opportunity to reclaim.  If they are not reclaimed by their owners they will undergo health and behavioral evaluations.  Healthy, behaviorally sound animals will be placed into our adoption program.

How long do you keep the animals at your shelters before they are euthanized? There is no set "time limit" for animals in our care.

What does the Lancaster County SPCA’s adoption fee include?  LCSPCA’s adoption fee includes all the basic’s you’ll need to get off to a great start with your new pet.  The fee covers spay/neuter surgery, first round of vaccinations, deworming, leukemia/FIV test (cats) and 10 days of pet health insurance.

What geographic area does the Lancaster County SPCA serve?  LCSPCA serves Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Do you allow your animals to be transferred to rescue groups? We work closely with other shelters and rescue groups to offer the best future for our animals. We encourage rescue groups to work with the LCSPCA to help place animals into loving homes.

Do you offer veterinarian services and do you have an on-site veterinarian? LCSPCA does not offer routine veterinary care for owned animals.  LCSPCA does not have an on-site veterinarian. LCSPCA contracts with VCA Smoketown Animal Hospital and VCA Bridgeport Animal Hospital to provide for the medical needs of our animals.  Additionally, several veterinarians volunteer weekly to evaluate the medical needs of the animals.  Animals brought to the LCSPCA require emergency medical needs are transported to VCA Bridgeport Animal Hospital by the local animal control officer.

Does Lancaster County SPCA receive many pit bulls?  The area that LCSPCA serves produces many unwanted pets, especially pit bulls.  The breed is largely misunderstood in the public and falls victim to people’s misconceptions.  Pit bulls have many wonderful qualities and make great companion animals.  LCSPCA does not discriminate against pit bulls, or any other breeds, and will continue to always be an advocate for this and all breeds.

Why doesn’t the Lancaster County SPCA accept strays from some municipalities?  Some municipalities decided not to contract with LCSPCA for stray services.  Since those municipalities don’t provide financial support to LCSPCA to care for these animals, we do not accept their animals.  If a citizen from a non-participating municipality pays the intake fee, we will accept the animal.  Citizens in non-participating municipalities may encourage their officials to contract with the LCSPCA.

I need to put my pet up for adoption.  Can I bring it to you?  If you are unable to find a new home for your pet, you may surrender your animal to the LCSPCA.  Additionally, a surrender fee is required.

There are stray pets in my neighborhood. Can you come pick them up?  LCSPCA is unable to pick up stray animals.  Please contact your local municipality if you have located a stray animal.

I think someone is abusing/neglecting their pet. Can you help?  The LCSPCA currently does not have its own cruelty department.  Currently ORCA handles cruelty complaints and investigations.  If you suspect animal abuse please contact ORCA’s Hotline at (717) 397-8922.

Does the Lancaster County SPCA provide free or low-cost veterinary care? LCSPCA does not offer routine veterinary care for owned animals.  If you are in need of low-cost veterinary care, please contact the Humane League of Lancaster at (717) 393-6551 as they are offering a Charitable Wellness Clinic offering low-cost services as well as a Trap-Neuter-Return program for feral cats.

What is the Lancaster County policy on feral cats? The LCSPCA believes that feral cats can survive outside with a little human support and compassion.  We will accept feral cats at our shelter as long as the ear have not been clipped indicating they have already been spayed/neutered.  We promote and support the work of feral cat caretakers that offer the Trap- Neuter-Return clinics.  However, we will accept feral cats which ears have been clipped only if they are sick and suffering.  All feral cats accepted by the LCSPCA will be humanely euthanized. A surrender fee is required to accept feral cats.