Brandywine Valley SPCA seeks to purchase Safe Haven building
Brandywine Valley SPCA plans to establish a rescue and rehabilitation center at the site of the former Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary building in Georgetown.
Brandywine officials say animals that have been less adoptable, as well as newborn and young animals, those who have been abused or disaster victims, and pets at risk of euthanasia will be housed at the new center.
The 11,500-square-foot facility will be sold at auction Saturday, June 9.
Adam Lamb, Brandywine CEO, said, “The Rescue and Rehab Center will expand our lifesaving resources to those animals with greater needs while allowing our three regional campuses to focus on finding homes for less complex cases and the rehabilitated graduates from the Rescue and Rehab Center.”
Lamb said the facility will require $250,000 in improvements, mostly repairing drywall, painting and drainage improvements. An additional $250,000 would be needed for furniture, equipment and cages, he said.
Linda Torelli, director of marketing and programs for Brandywine Valley SPCA, said despite those costs, the building is in relatively good shape and has been maintained since Safe Haven shut down. Lamb said the facility is fairly new and spacious. Torelli said she did not expect many bidders for the property, since it has a specific use. Torelli said center would not be a shelter, but would focus on preparing animals for adoption.
Lamb said Brandywine Valley SPCA would operate the Rescue and Rehab Center in addition to its main shelter off Route 113 in Georgetown.
The Shingle Point Road building has been vacant since November 2013 when Safe Haven abruptly shut down. Nineteen dogs were euthanized as the former no-kill shelter closed. Safe Haven filed for bankruptcy in January 2014. Safe Haven had built the shelter with a $2.7 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program, secured through County Bank. Safe Haven’s bankruptcy was finally closed in July 2017.
Brandywine Valley SPCA has begun a capital campaign to raise money to help purchase and repair the building. Those wishing to donate can go to www.bvspca.org/rescue-rehab.
Torelli said she hopes Brandywine Valley SPCA taking over the facility can bring it back to its original purpose.
“Its origin is one of hope. We want to bring that back,” she said.
Ryan Mavity covers Milton and the court system. He is married to Rachel Swick Mavity and has two kids, Alex and Jane. Ryan started with the Cape Gazette all the way back in February 2007, previously covering the City of Rehoboth Beach. A native of Easton, Md. and graduate of Towson University, Ryan enjoys watching the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals and Baltimore Orioles in his spare time.
