The Vet Clinic lobby immediately after the fire and now as repair and construction continues.
NEW CASTLE, DEL. — The Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) is re-opening the New Castle Campus Wednesday for all services following the fire that destroyed the veterinary clinic and damaged the adoption areas. A car crashed into the building early the morning of July 9, sparking a fire that took the life of the driver and four cats, and displaced nearly 100 animals.
Cleanup at the facility started immediately on the afternoon following the fire. Work crews have cleaned and repaired the adoption areas, where there are now dogs and cats available for adoption. The clinic has been gutted, and rebuilding is expected to take up to two months. In the meantime, other parts of the facility have been temporarily equipped for spay/neuter surgeries and wellness visits. Regular operating hours are in effect starting Wednesday, July 26:
Adoptions: Tuesday-Friday 12pm-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm
Wellness: By appointment Tuesday 12pm-7pm, Wednesday 9am-3pm
S/N Surgery: By appointment Tuesday-Friday
Isla (left) with new sibling Petey, the first-re-opening adoption.
“Our staff and vendors pushed all the limits to re-open as quickly as possible,” said Adam Lamb, BVSPCA Chief Executive Officer. “The animals need us as a safe haven, and the incredible outpouring of support from the community underscored how vital our services are to the pet families in the area.”
Nearly 100 animals were evacuated from the fire scene. Four cats lost their lives, and many of the surviving animals have since been placed with forever families. Several dogs and cats remain available for adoption at the West Chester and Georgetown Campuses.
Costs of the fire are still being totaled, many of which will not be covered by insurance. The BVSPCA continues to ask for the public’s help with donations to fund the rebuilding effort. Donations can be made online at https://fundly.com/bvspca-new-castle-campus-fire or by mailing checks to: Brandywine Valley SPCA, 600 South Street, New Castle, DE 19720.
