Animal Rescue League, Western PA Humane Society to Merge

The Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center and the Western PA Humane Society will merge, resulting in a new organization that will be one of the largest open-door shelters in Pennsylvania.

“Over the years, the Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center and the Western PA Humane Society have become more alike with regard to philosophies on animal welfare and the programs and services we offer,” said Joseph Vater, president of the board of directors for the Animal Rescue League, in a news release. “A merged organization will provide greater efficiencies in animal care processes, staff training and bringing best practices to one organization. We will be able to save more animals and serve more animals.”

The merger was approved by each organizations’ boards on Thursday and will become effective on Jan. 1, 2017. The locations of each organization will remain open, and officials said business will continue as usual at every location.

WPHS is located on the North Side, and ARL expects to move by year end from its current location to its new facility, both in the East End. ARL’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Verona also will remain open. No programs will be eliminated as a result of the merger, and staff reductions are not anticipated.

“Our two organizations have a long history of collaboration,” Grubman says. “Now, by building on the strengths of each group, we will create a singular, more powerful voice that will enhance our outreach to the western PA region. It will be beneficial to adoptions, animal care, animal control and fundraising.”

Work will begin immediately on the integration of the two organizations.

“We have a lot of details to work out,” said Dan Rossi, currently the executive director of the ARL. “But we will be launching this new organization with a talented, compassionate staff and a phenomenal group of volunteers. We’re excited about the expanded capacity and potential and the broad array of programs and services that will be under one organizational umbrella.”

Rossi will serve as the CEO of the merged organization and Hala Nuemah, currently the managing director of the Humane Society, will serve as chief administrative officer of the new organization. David Grubman, currently president of the board of directors of the Western PA Humane Society, will be president of the new board of directors.

Cox Media Group