The following was left as a comment under the story “There are just so many cats”.  

Regarding the following statement, I think the senator is a little confused about the ASPCA and their role: “Oberacker said he was more focused on getting funding for the Association for American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) shelters than on stray cats. Since 1866 the ASPCA had the authority to make arrests, issue summonses, and use force to protect animals. But the ASPCA disbanded its law enforcement division in 2013.”

The ASPCA humane law enforcement division never operated in Pennsylvania; they were based in and enforced cruelty laws in New York City, and very rarely, if ever, operated outside the city. 

The ASPCA never operated and still does not operate animal shelters anywhere except one shelter on East 92 Street in Manhattan. 

I don’t know why the senator is “focused on getting funding for ASPCA,” as it would provide no relief for stray or abused animals in Sullivan County or Pennsylvania. 

My husband, Joe Pentangelo, was the assistant director of humane law enforcement for the ASPCA prior to their partnership with the NYPD in 2013, and I was the humane education manager for the ASPCA until 2010.

Joanne Pentangelo
Beaver Brook, NY