Shelter concerned about abandoned animals at former facility

(Chambersburg) —A midstate animal shelter is dealing with the problem of people dropping off cats and dogs at its old facility at night.

Neighbors around the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter’s former building in Guilford Township, Franklin County, have been notifying the organization when abandoned animals are left at the site.

The property is owned by CSX and is marked with no trespassing signs and directions to the new facility in Greene Township.

Spokeswoman Jennifer Vanderau says animals left behind are being put in danger.She says it’s important for the shelter to be notified about an impending drop-off.

“If you do find strays, if you do need to re-home your animal, please call us first and certainly, if you do find strays, we have actual cages and fenced-in areas at the new facility on Letterkenny Road West for that,” she says. “So, it’s safer for them. It’s safer for us. It’s safer for you. It’s safer for the neighbors, for that matter.”

Vanderau says if people want to surrender an animal because they can no longer care for it, they should contact the shelter first and make the proper arrangements.

Animal cruelty charges could be filed against anyone who abandons an animal.