Jefferson County Community Shows Support for Willow Run Animal Sanctuary

brookville-borough-willow-run-sanctuaryBROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – Animal lovers in Jefferson County showed their support for their furry friends with thousands of dollars in donations.

(Pictured above: Brookville Borough Manager Dana Shick presents donations made by the pubic to Margo Stefanic and Tommie Shaffer of the Willow Run Animal Sanctuary.)

On Thursday, at the Brookville Borough office, Borough Manager Dana Shick presented the Willow Run Animal Sanctuary with donations of goods and cash from the public.

“It’s nice to see the community come together to support this,” Shick said.

The Borough became a collection point two years ago after Shick became borough manager. They have held collections for Willow Run in 2014 and did one for the Brookville Food Pantry in 2015.

The donations ranged from dog and cat food to treats, pet beds, and cleaning supplies that are used to keep things clean.

“We are so grateful for all that people have given,” said Margo Stefanic of Willow Run. “It’s really something and so needed.”

Willow Run Sanctuary & Adoptions, Inc. has become known as the hub for humane services in Jefferson County.

Willow Run is the only animal-related organization in the county that sponsors humane officer services, utilizing Pa. humane law to the fullest capacity to hold animal abusers accountable for cruel acts against animals.

“We incorporated in 2011 so we could get the voluntary humane officer,” Stefanic said.

It is a 100 percent volunteer based not-for-profit animal welfare/animal rights organization, including the voluntary humane officer.

Dave Farringer of the Brookville Fireman's Club presents a check to Margo Stefanic of the Willow Run Animal Sanctuary.

Dave Farringer of the Brookville Fireman’s Club presents a check to Margo Stefanic of the Willow Run Animal Sanctuary.

Willow Run also received a $500.00 donation from the Brookville Firemans Club Wednesday night.

WRSA, a non-profit organization, is highly dependent and relies upon the support of the human population.  WRSA receives no state or federal funding to operate.

Although Willow Run is home to mostly dogs and cats, its work became a bigger challenge this fall as a large hog and several starving horses came to it.

A Jefferson County man, Lenny Hughes, 44, of Corsica, was charged by Jefferson County Animal Control Officer Debbie McAndrew with numerous counts related to the neglect of the horses.

Hughes was found guilty of numerous charges of animal cruelty and sentenced to serve 90 days in the Jefferson County Jail. He will also be on probation and is no longer allowed to own animals.


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