Lackawanna County Animal Shelter Faces Strain Amid Surge in Neglected Animals

The Griffin Pond Animal Shelter in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, is grappling with a critical shortage of resources following a recent increase in abandoned and neglected animals. The shelter, which relies heavily on donations and volunteers, has experienced a rise in the number of emaciated animals requiring extensive and costly medical care, resulting in heartbreaking losses and a growing financial burden.

Recent Losses Highlight the Crisis

In a recent span of one week, the shelter received five severely emaciated dogs. Sadly, two of them, Luke and Bobby, succumbed to illnesses despite receiving veterinary care. “Five dogs total that came in within a week span of emaciated dogs that came in, and Luke was one of those, and he, unfortunately, ended up with pneumonia and passed away. And then we had Bobby, the puppy who came in from an accidental litter, and that puppy also ended up getting sick and passing away,” said Development Director Sherry Crolly.

Financial Challenges and Limited Funding

The cost of treating these animals is substantial, with thousands of dollars spent on medical bills. While the shelter has a veterinarian on staff, some cases require emergency veterinary attention that is a two-hour drive away. Funding primarily comes from supporters, fundraising, and a limited number of grants. Crolly noted that there is significant competition for grants among animal welfare organizations nationwide.

Griffin Pond Animal Shelter’s Mission and Events

Griffin Pond Animal Shelter is dedicated to investigating and preventing animal cruelty, promoting adoption awareness, and fostering responsible pet ownership. The shelter provides care for surrendered animals until they find novel homes. Upcoming events to support the shelter include:

• Second Chance Gala ’26: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM at The Barn at Glistening Pond.
• Mega Prize Bingo & More – ’26: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Holiday Inn Scranton East – Dunmore.
• NEPA Gives ’26: Online event via NEPAGives.org, June 4, 2026, 7:00 PM – June 5, 2026, 7:00 PM.
• Paws in the Park – ’26: Sunday, August 2, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM at McDade Park – Pavilion #2.

How to Help

The shelter encourages anyone needing to surrender an animal to reach out for assistance rather than abandoning them. Donations are gratefully accepted and are vital to the shelter’s ability to continue providing care. Those who have lost a pet are encouraged to check the shelter’s Facebook pages.

For more information about Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, including adoption information and how to donate, visit their website.