The boards will oversee the new SPCA facility, which is slated for construction near the new Fayette County Prison.
Uniontown, PA - The newly reformed Fayette SPCA is seeking candidates for its executive and advisory committees.
SPCA stands for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Fayette SPCA Chairwoman Susan Lee and Secretary Michele Hajduk are the organization’s only current members. They said they hope to fill the five-member executive and nine-member advisory boards as soon as possible.
The Executive Board, which will meet monthly, has the following requirements for its vacancies:
- Vice Chair - shall, in the absence of disability of the chair, perform those duties in his or her stead.
- Treasurer - maintains financial records; conducts organization banking; has signing authority; serves as bookkeeper; may serve as secretary in absence of the secretary and more.
- Event Coordinator - coordinates fundraisers and other events; responsible for organization promotion; can delegate duties to members.
Executive Board members are elected by the general SPCA membership for a three-year term, with a two-consecutive term limit.
The Advisory Board, which will assist the Executive Board, must consist of the following:
- Two municipal leaders (township supervisors or borough councilpersons);
- One veterinarian representative.
- One legal representative.
- One retired SPCA board member.
- One Fayette County Commissioner.
- One accountant representative.
- One farm representative.
- One state trooper.
Advisory Board members will be appointed on their willingness to serve, and their appointments are not time restricted.
Fayette County Commissioner Scott Dunn said the selection process should begin immediately, as a new SPCA facility is currently in the planning stages.
“Inmates will be able to volunteer to work with the animals as part of programming we plan to introduce in the new jail,” Dunn said. “We need board members right now to assist these ladies as we move through the planning and construction stages.”
“Many jails have incorporated animals and had a lot of success with inmate rehabilitation,” Hajduk added.
Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites said the 6,000-square foot headquarters will be built on the grounds of the new Fayette County Jail, which is currently under construction on McClellandtown Road in Uniontown. Several vacant, county-owned properties surrounding the jail will be razed as the jail nears completion, to make way for the new SPCA.
“We’re keeping one garage that they’ll be able to utilize for minimal operations,” Vicites said.
McMillen Engineering recently completed the new Fayette SPCA design, and the board of commissioners approved awarding Shallenberger Construction the bid for site work at their October meeting.
Dunn said the county also plans to send surveys to all 42 municipalities, seeking input on the potential of utilizing the Fayette SPCA for animal control options, rather than contracting with third parties.
Commissioner Chairman Dave Lohr said he’s been advocating for “many years” for “an SPCA facility, adjacent to the county jail, where inmates could be hands-on in caring for the animals, benefiting inmates and animals alike.”
“We are actively seeking volunteers to serve on the board of directors; people with a heart for unwanted, discarded, neglected and often abused animals; who understand the therapeutic impact of interaction with animals; who are willing to commit their time and talents to this noble endeavor,” Lohr said.
In addition to the executive and advisory committees, anyone interested in being involved can apply to be part of the general membership. Membership classes include: junior, non-voting (persons younger than 18 years); annual; lifetime and honorary.
Fayette SPCA is also seeking donations. Contact Michele Hajduk at 724-322-0449 to learn how you can help.
Those interested in board or membership positions should submit letters of interest to Susan Lee at farm_mom50@yahoo.com or call 724-562-8682 for more information.
To learn more about Fayette County, visit www.fayettecountypa.org.
Editor's Note: Image attached (Fayette SPCA Logo)
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This communication, among other initiatives, is funded through the 2016 Fayette County Local Share Account (LSA) in cooperation with the Fayette County Board of Commissioners, Fayette Chamber of Commerce, The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Fayette, The Redstone Foundation and other partners. This funding has been designated for the continued promotion and marketing of Fayette County, PA.
For more information, contact Kristi Kassimer Harper, Public Relations Specialist, at 412-691-0262, kkassimer@fayettecountypa.info or Kaylie Moore, Community Relations Coordinator, at 724-430-1200 Ext. 1611, kmoore@fayettepa.org.
