Our History and Mission
PA PETS was founded in 1987 with a clear and simple goal: to ensure that every dog and cat in our community is a wanted pet. Our Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program for pet dogs and cats offers financial assistance to limited-income residents of Columbia and Montour Counties to spay/neuter and vaccinate their pet dogs and cats. Since we launched our TNR Program in 2012, we have expanded our spay/neuter and vaccination support for outside, homeless (community) cats in ten counties in North-Central Pennsylvania. Through both programs, PA PETS provides a lifeline for both pet owners and community cat caregivers.
Our Roots
What started as one woman’s vision that was supported by a small group of concerned volunteers in 1987, PA PETS has grown into a leading organization to advocate for spay and neuter initiatives while providing limited-income residents with the help they need to spay/neuter their pet dogs and cats. In 2012, we reached a major milestone by establishing our TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) Program, which has since stabilized thousands of community cat colonies. Since 1987, PA PETS has spayed/neutered and vaccinated over 45,800 cats and dogs, including over 11,300 outside, homeless cats that have been spayed/neutered and vaccinated since 2012 when our TNR Program was launched.
Honoring and Remembering
Joanne “Jo” Wright was a tireless advocate for animals in need, which led to her to form PA PETS in 1983 along with other like-minded community volunteers. By 1987, PA PETS was awarded 501(c)3 non-profit status. Jo saw the need for limited-income residents to have access to low-cost spay and neuter services for their pet dogs and cats. Under her leadership, and through her efforts, PA PETS grew into the organization that it is today.
In 2012, Jo launched the PA PETS TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) Program (originally called the Feral Program) to provide spay/neuter and vaccination services to outside, homeless (community) cats.
To date, PA PETS has spayed/neutered and vaccinated over 45,800 animals, including over 11,300 community cats that have been spayed/neutered and vaccinated through the PA PETS TNR Program since 2012. Those who knew Jo say she was never one to back down from a challenge, and her heart wanted to save as many animals as she could….even if it was one at a time.
Celebrating the Legacy of Joanne “Jo” Wright
August 15, 1937 – December 2, 2024
Our community lost Jo in December 2025, but her legacy lives on through PA PETS.
(Write-up for Barbara Crawford, original PA PETS Thrift Store Manager) – will be added when drafted.)
H2: Leadership and Governance Our organization is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors committed to transparency, innovation, and compassion. This is a Working Board, and all of our Board members also provide volunteer support for PA PETS programs.
Board of Directors Our board members bring a diverse range of expertise in animal welfare, nonprofit management, and community outreach to ensure the long-term success of our programs.
Key Volunteers as our Program Managers: We also recognize the essential role of our Program Managers, who started out as volunteers and are now utilizing their experience to manage daily operations of both PA PETS Spay/Neuter Programs, the PA PETS Thrift Store, and our community outreach and fundraising events. Our Program Managers direct daily operations, support all of our PA PETS Volunteers and clients, and serve as the face of PA PETS in the community.
Call to Action: Learn More About Our Impact.
