Latrobe is dropping its longtime Salem-based animal control provider in favor of an Indiana County nonprofit that has added a stray animal pickup service to its animal shelter and sanctuary operation.
City officials said Whiskey Acres Rescue and Sanctuary’s no-kill policy was a primary factor in making the switch.
“My greatest interest in them is they’re a no-kill shelter,” said Latrobe police Chief Richard Bosco. “Their concern for the animals’ well-being is what got our attention the most. They’re a very compassionate crew.
“They’re not far away, about 25 to 30 minutes out.”
Latrobe, by a unanimous council vote this month, joined Leechburg in switching to the Young Township rescue group after each community ended a longstanding animal control agreement with Hoffman Kennels.
Latrobe Council had voted to renew its contract with Hoffman for two more years, beginning in January, but rescinded the move in favor of a one-year agreement with Whiskey Acres.
Hoffman has been a dominant animal control contractor in the area — providing the service for multiple municipalities, including Greensburg and Hempfield.
A Hoffman spokesperson couldn’t be reached for comment. Owner Gary Hoffman, who started the business in 1971, previously told TribLive he’s had success because of his clean facilities and experience with handling sick and aggressive dogs.
His kennel holds about 30 dogs, and he is willing to euthanize for space.
State law allows shelters to adopt out, transfer or euthanize unlicensed strays after a two-day hold. Licensed dogs, with a tag or microchip, must be kept for five days following delivery of a certified letter to the owner.
Founder Mindy Maryai said Whiskey Acres began as a horse sanctuary in December 2018 but has since branched out to take in other animals including dogs, cats and goats.
She said it decided to expand into the animal control business after a Latrobe representative reached out about the possibility. Latrobe police Capt. Robert Daerr was instrumental in the conversation with Whiskey Acres, according to city manager Sue Trout.
Maryai said her facility, in addition to outdoor enclosures for summer use, has 10 indoor kennels in a renovated garage.
She said she’s hoping to add more indoor accommodations for pets, but she depends largely on fundraising efforts to cover the costs of $500 per kennel.
She said family and friends have volunteered to feed and walk the dogs and clean the kennels. The nonprofit also has the services of a dog trainer and a groomer and operates a van equipped for picking up dogs.
Maryai said Whiskey Acres is in talks for potentially offering its animal control service to additional municipalities.
“We’ve gotten many calls,” she said. “We can only accept so many dogs to start with. Hopefully, next year we can change that.”
Bosco said the switch in animal control providers could result in a cost savings for Latrobe.
Trout said Hoffman was going to charge a monthly fee of $290 plus $120 per call-out to pick up a stray.
Whiskey Acres has no monthly fee but will charge $250 per call and a dog boarding fee of $15 per day for up to two weeks. Afterward, the nonprofit will assume all costs for sheltering the dog.
Bosco said Latrobe seldom has need to call on its animal control service, as his department has a good record of promptly locating owners of strays, often within 12 hours of finding them.
“Our police department has been really good at finding the owners or rehoming dogs,” Trout said.
