Montco SPCA Unnecessarily Euthanized Animals, Had Poor Kennel Conditions: Authorities

CONSHOHOCKEN, PA — The Montgomery County SPCA unnecessarily euthanized animals, allowed poor kennel conditions to fester, failed to properly train employees, and violated numerous laws governing nonprofits, a state investigation determined.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office reached a settlement with the SPCA over the allegations Wednesday which has led to the replacement of the CEO and the entire board of directors.

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“Pennsylvanians who donate to charities should be able to trust that their money is being used to support an organization’s mission,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement. “This settlement holds the Montgomery County SPCA accountable, puts important safeguards in place, and serves as a reminder to other charitable organizations that they will be expected to fulfill their mission and comply with the law."

The organization must also pay $21,040 in various penalties and costs.

Many of the animals that they killed either did not need to be euthanized or were euthanized prematurely, the attorney general's office said.

Total numbers of impacted animals were not made publicly available. But investigators said they found evidence of violations over a period of years, from at least 2021 through Oct. 2024.

The SPCA has roughly $67 million in assets and endowments which were mishandled, with insufficient amounts allocated for basic maintenance of their facilities in Conshohocken, Abington, and Perkiomenville, according to officials.

Care of the animals who were not euthanized was also lacking, and staff were not given sufficient training and education, the state investigation said.

In a statement to Patch, the SPCA said that they have made "extraordinary progress" in the past 21 months, and that nearly every aspect of their organization has been transformed.

The shelter's lifesaving rate of animals is now up to 95 percent over the past year and a half, and $26 million has been invested in facility upgrades.

"At the same time, we have implemented new policies, strengthened oversight and governance, and expanded programs that support both animals and the broader community, including adoption, foster, and surrender prevention services," a spokesperson added.

Improvements to the facilities remain ongoing. At least one new shelter is in the works.