TRR photo by David Hulse Kittens await adoption at the Sullivan County SPCA shelter in Rock Hill. (Click for larger image)

SPCA: overpopulation demands neutering effort

By DAVID HULSE

ROCK HILL — Going into the August 30 budget meeting with Sullivan County legislators, officials at the Rock Hill Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Shelter say Sullivan County can no longer plead poverty in dealing with the county’s stray animal problem.

SPCA Vice President Bonnie Swack recalled that it was Sullivan County’s veto that sunk a planned three-county neutering and rabies prevention project several years ago. “When the county pulled out, the other two counties [Orange and Ulster] did as well,” she added.

County officials then said their decision was based on opposition from local veterinarians who felt the planned, mobile van operation would take business away from their practices in a county where they paid taxes.