May 28, 2002 By Jackie Beranek 3 min read

DUNBAR – A potential stray animal problem has been averted with council agreeing to sign a contract with the new Noah’s Ark of the Fayette County Humane and Animal Protection Society. Borough secretary Rachelle Hughes said the borough was left without an animal control agency when the Fayette County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) closed its doors earlier this month.

According to Robin A. Moore, Noah’s Ark executive director and former humane control officer and animal control director of the SPCA, the new animal shelter opened its doors last Monday and is ready to provide animal control services to municipalities in Fayette County.

“We have two animal control officers on staff in addition to two humane police officers,” said Moore. “The humane police officers have passed two state tests and are updated on continuing education in the animal field.”

Moore said Noah’s Ark of Fayette County Humane and Animal Protection Society, located at 693 New Salem Road, Uniontown, is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. Animal control hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

And, although the new shelter offers most of the same services that the SPCA did, they will not accept anonymous complaint calls or handle wildlife. Moore said wildlife calls should be directed to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Services that will be provided by the shelter include:

– Special patrol time calls where acute problems exist, at the discretion of the society.

– Acceptance of any owned or stray animal brought to the shelter. However, there is a $10 charge for the transportation of animals to the shelter for those not under contract with the society.

– A $25 donation fee will be charged for putting privately owned animals to sleep, payable by the owner.

– The shelter will pick up and dispose of any reported dead dogs and/or cats on the streets or highways when possible and will locate and notify owners if possible.

Moore said while the humane society in no way can accept responsibility for the health and welfare of any person, they will provide assistance with dog and cat bites when requested.

“Our participation is intended to forestall the possibility of the transmission of rabies,” said Moore. “Upon request, we will attempt to locate the animal and its owner. When the animal is found and identified, the humane society will quarantine the animal for the incubation period and will advise the owner of their responsibilities.”

Moore said the humane society would work with the Department of Health if an animal should become sick or die. The agency will also have the animal analyzed for rabies.

However, the victim will have to pay for decapitation and shipping of the animal.

The cost to the borough for these services is $49.29 a month, according to Hughes. The phone numbers for Noah’s Ark are 724-557-6749 or 724-245-8216.