Faithful friends seeking shelter
LUZERNE TWP. – Citing ongoing problems with neighbors and township officials, the president of an animal shelter said Tuesday the non-profit organization has temporarily closed its doors while looking for a place to relocate in the Bethel Park area. Paula Barber, owner of Faithful But Not Forgotten Friends Animal Rescue and Placement Inc., said the staff members are looking to place animals currently being housed in the kennel in loving homes.
The kennel, which provided free and inexpensive spaying and neutering of unwanted animals, will not accept any more animals until a new location has been found, she said.
The announcement came after someone vandalized the kennel and Barber’s vehicle early Monday morning.
According to state police at Belle Vernon, someone entered the kennel through an unlocked door at 3:55 a.m., spray-painted numerous racial and religious slurs on the walls and stole a silver lock box containing the kennel license and $100.
Police said the right side of Barber’s van also was spray-painted.
“It was frightening,” Barber said.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve had problems.
“We’re not going to stay here and continually be subjected to these types of things.”
She said she gave police a list of suspects and said police told her they are investigating the incident.
During a hearing last month before the Fayette County Zoning Hearing Board, a dozen people, including township supervisors from Luzerne and Redstone townships, spoke out against the board’s granting a special exception that would allow Barber and her husband, Rollin, permission to operate the animal facility on property zoned for agricultural use.
Barber said the facilities were in operation for five years before anyone complained.
Located in Hibbs, more than 400 feet from Route 166, the kennel is situated in two townships, with 10 acres in Redstone and 20 in Luzerne.
She said neighbors didn’t complain about barking until she complained about sewage and floodwater entering her property.
“We’re very cynical now, and we’re not going to stay here,” she said.