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Delaware County Daily Times

Its Claws for Celebration for Animal Lovers
By KATHLEEN E. CAREY

03/13/2007

UPPER PROVIDENCE -- Theresa Impriano, 20, of Prospect Park, and her mom, Marsha, went to the SPCA last week to pick up a kitten. Both were excited as the 7-month-old gray kitten named China looked similar to another of Theresa’s cats, Baby Sydney.

"They could be brother and sister," Marsha Impriano said.

China is special is another way: She’s the 500th rescue for the Animal Rescue Foundation of Southeastern Pennsylvania in little over a year’s time.

"It means we’ve done a lot of work," Impriano said. "We blew past our goal."

The foundation was launched by shelter and rescue volunteers in January 2006 to help orphaned or at-risk companion pets.

Volunteers pick animals from public shelters where they are at risk for being euthanized because of the space limitations. The animals are then kept at a foster home until they are adopted.

Prior to adoption, they receive veterinarian care, vaccinations, medications and are spayed and neutered.

Jen Coccodrilli is one of the founders who decided to act upon the need seen during kitten season, although the organization works with dogs and bunnies, as well.

She said the group of 120 volunteers had hoped to rescue 250 animals in its first year, never imagining they would double their goal.

"It reflects the hard work and sheer effort by every one of our volunteers," Coccodrilli said. "It’s the beginning."

She said foundation plans to keep addressing the issue of homeless pets year after year.

In doing that, she credited the Delaware County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for working with the group to help the animals find new homes.

SPCA Kennel Manager Nicole Wilson commended the group for adoption work and for its spay-and- neuter clinics.

"Working with rescue groups like ARF is a big part in making sure as many animals as possible get placed into quality homes," she said.

Wilson said the SPCA was hoping to partner with the rescue foundation in its clinics to help reduce animal overpopulation. In the meantime, Theresa Impriano was looking forward to caring for China until a permanent home could be found for her.

"It’s a really good experience," she said of being an foundation volunteer. "It’s really worth it, knowing that they’re going to a good home instead of dying."