Pittsburgh, Humane Animal Rescue extend partnership for more than $1 million
Pittsburgh City Council on Monday approved a measure to extend the city’s partnership with Humane Animal Rescue, a nonprofit that takes in stray animals and aids in the adoption process.
The nonprofit has collaborated with the city’s Bureau of Animal Care and Control for about 15 years.
The contract approved by council Monday extends those services through 2024 for a cost of over $1 million.
This $1 million to care for — and, in some instances, euthanize — animals that don’t have a home should be a reminder to spay and neuter pets, Councilman Bruce Kraus said. City residents can have their cats and dogs spayed or neutered for free through the city’s spay and neuter program, he said.
The decision to continue the partnership with Humane Animal Rescue comes after City Controller Michael Lamb in October released a performance audit of the Bureau of Animal Care and Control. In the audit, he identified the city’s contract with Humane Animal Rescue as an area of “immediate concern.”
The partnership has been necessary because Pittsburgh does not have its own shelter to care for stray animals.
The cost of the contract has increased slightly, according to the audit, which recommended the city explore the possibility of investing in its own shelter to save costs.
In responding to the audit, Lee Schmidt, assistant director of operations and administration for the Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Animal Care and Control, said evaluating the possibility of creating a city-owned shelter is “very much the responsible action to take.”
Humane Animal Rescue CEO Dan Rossi told the Tribune-Review he was aware the city was considering establishing its own shelter. Rossi said Humane Animal Rescue “would happily work with them” and continue offering assistance “in any way we could” if the city went that route.
Rossi said the city was already engaged in contract negotiations to extend the agreement when the performance audit was released.
City Council did not discuss the potential of creating a city-operated shelter when they unanimously passed the measure Monday.
Julia Felton is a TribLive reporter covering Pittsburgh City Hall and other news in and around Pittsburgh. A La Roche University graduate, she joined the Trib in 2020. She can be reached at jfelton@triblive.com.
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