Rescue League, Humane Society to merge operations

Pittsburgh’s two large “open door” pet shelters are merging, effective Jan. 1, in a move that will provide services to 35,000 animals, including 10,000 dogs, cats and rabbits adopted into new homes.

No programs will be eliminated because of the merger of the Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center and the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society.

“Staff reductions are not anticipated,” according to news releases from each organization.

All existing facilities will remain in operation as usual. The Animal Rescue League shelter on Hamilton Avenue in East Liberty is moving to a newly constructed building several blocks away that is expected to open in December or January. The wildlife rehabilitation center is in Verona. The WPHS facility is on Western Avenue on the North Shore.

Dan Rossi will be CEO of the merged organization. He has been executive director at the Animal Rescue League for seven years.

The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society has not had an executive director since February. Hala Nuemah, the current managing director of the Humane Society, will be the chief administrative officer.

A name has not been chosen for the new organization.

“We have some branding to do,” Mr. Rossi said.

“The stars aligned,” he said of the merger, which was unanimously approved Thursday by the board of directors of each shelter. “We are excited.”

The merger makes the new organization one of the largest “open door” shelters in the state, according to news releases. Both are shelters that take in every animal brought to them — including dogs, cats and rabbits surrendered by their owners and “strays” picked up off the streets. They also take in pigs, parrots and other birds, snakes and other reptiles, and “pocket pets” including hamsters and gerbils.

The shelters have some similar missions: they care for animals until they are adopted, offer training classes and other programs, and operate low-cost veterinary clinics.

One difference between the two agencies was that the Animal Rescue League picked up strays under a contract with the city of Pittsburgh, while the Humane Society employed officers who investigate

and prosecute cases of animal neglect and cruelty.

The two shelters have “a long history of collaboration,” said David Grubman, who will be president of the new board of directors. He is currently president of WPHS’s board. “Now, by building on the strengths of each group, we will create a singular, more powerful voice . ... It will be beneficial to adoptions, animal care, animal control and fundraising.”

Each of the existing shelters has a yearly operating budget of about $4 million, Mr. Rossi said. ARL has been averaging 6,500 to 7,000 adoptions each year and WPHS about 4,000.

The 35,000 animals to be served each year in the merged shelters includes pet patients at the low-cost clinics.

Cost savings are expected in areas including purchasing only one set of licensed software for various programs, and the need for only one computer server and one IT contract, Mr. Rossi said.