Palmer: "Bomb Dropped" Regarding Stray Animal Fee

Palmer Township may love puppies and pets like everybody else, but officials are less than thrilled with the Center for Animal Health and Welfare's decision to charge municipalities $150 per stray animal for dropoff.

"This bomb just got dropped on us," Supervisors Chairman Dave Colver said. "We've got to react to it."

The Board of Supervisors discussed the Williams Township shelter's new policy during its 2013 municipal budget presentation Tuesday night.

The center, citing "spiraling costs" and a rise in the number of animals coming to the shelter, will only take animals if there is room and has been nearly at capacity in the past year.

Township Manager Christopher Christman said Palmer Township received a letter from the shelter Thursday about the policy.

The township has set aside over $4,000 for stray animal costs, Christman said.

"We have to figure out some alternatives," he said. "This creates a logistical nightmare for us. We'll continue to house animals at our kennel."

Supervisor Bob Lammi said neighboring Easton is spending $45,000 to deal with stray animals.

"The county must get involved," Lammi said. "The county has to step into this and step up to the plate. It's not just a city, township or borough issue."