A: Stray dogs can only be brought to the YCSPCA by an animal control officer, a York County police officer, or a PA state dog warden.

A: Yes, in extreme circumstances, such as a life-threatening injury, public citizens can bring dogs to the shelter Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If the dog is found outside these hours, they should go directly to Mason Dixon Emergency Animal Hospital, 96 Sofia Dr., Suite 203, Shrewsbury, PA 17361.

A: Yes, other stray animals can still be brought to the YCSPCA by public citizens. Please review our Managed Shelter Admission policy for information on when to bring stray cats to the shelter.

A: If you live in York County, please review our municipal stray animal transport listing to see if your community contracts with an animal field services provider. Contact the municipal stray animal transport provider in your community. Contact your municipality directly if you cannot reach your designated transport provider or if your municipality does not contract with one. Be prepared to stay with the dog, where it was found until the transport provider arrives

• • Finder Name (First, Last)

• • Address

• • Phone number

• • Email Address

• • The exact address where the dog was found

• • Municipality the dog was found in

• • The date the dog was found/how many days you've had the dog

• • Signs of ownership (Collar, microchip, recently groomed, etc.)

• • Any additional information that would be helpful in returning the dog to the owner or finding it an adoptive home

We do not accept stray animals found outside of York County

A: Contact the animal control officer, dog warden, or police department that provides transportation in the municipality where the dog is located. For your safety, do not try to catch the dog. Click here to see how stray canine transport is managed in your borough/ township.

A: No. Contact a wildlife rehabilitation center.

1. West Shore Wildlife
   Emergencies should call: (717) 268-9574
   Non-Emergency should email: [email protected]
2. Raven Ridge
   Emergencies should call: (717) 808-2652

A: An animal control officer provides in-the-field services and transportation for domestic animals in communities. Each of the 72 municipalities in York County individually decides if that community should contract this service.

Animal control and enforcement is an essential service, like a police or fire department, that ensures public health and safety. Services Animal Control Officers typically provide include:

• Transport sick/injured/abandoned/lost animals to the YCSPCA.
• Enforcement of local animal-related ordinances. Examples include loose dogs, checking for tag licenses, confirming tag registration, rabies, and other required vaccinations are current, enforcing barking or noise-related issues, feline feeding and colony violations, and others.
• Address public concerns related to domestic animals via telephone or directly in the field.
• Reunite lost pets with their owners.

A: A humane society police officer (HSPO) enforces Pennsylvania animal cruelty and neglect statutes. In York County, we have one such HSPO, Officer Cruz, who the YCSPCA employs to provide this service to the entire county.

A: A PA state dog warden is a person who enforces Pennsylvania dog and rabies laws in an assigned region for the PA Department of Agriculture. They find shelter for strays and return them to their families, investigate dog bites, work with dog-bite victims, and enforce dog licensing, among other duties.

State dog wardens:

• Enforce licensing and rabies laws
• Seize and detain any dog viewed running at large without its owner
• Investigate dog bites and establish and enforce quarantine of dogs
• Enforce kennel licensing and regulations through at least two inspections each year of every licensed kennel
• Maintain a registry of dogs declared dangerous by a magisterial district judge and perform dangerous dog inspections
• Prosecute dog law violations in court
• Provide educational services about dog ownership
• The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement does not oversee or have jurisdiction over animal cruelty.

A: No - we cannot transfer animals in our parking lot due to safety concerns. 

A: Every day, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A: No. If you need to reach the YCSPCA outside of our business hours, please email us at [email protected]. Your email will be returned within 24-48 hours.

A: Animal abandonment is a crime. In Pennsylvania, it is a summary offense punishable by a fine of up to $750 and/or up to 90 days in jail.