Delaware Humane Association, Delaware SPCA Announce Merger

Press release from the Delaware Humane Association:

June 12, 2021

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE – Delaware Humane Association (DHA) and
Delaware SPCA are pleased to announce that their Boards of Directors have voted to commence
a merger process to combine the two organizations. This merger will result in an empowered
organization that together, will better serve animals and people in Delaware and the surrounding
region, provide greater access to programs and services, and have a deeper impact. The integration process is expected to be complete in fall 2021, pending completion of the legal process, allowing Delaware SPCA and DHA to fully combine business operations within the coming year.

As long-standing animal welfare leaders in Delaware, DHA and Delaware SPCA will work to
expand upon their shared goals of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of companion animals through temporary housing and adoption, spay/neuter, and affordable veterinary services. Operations will continue at each organization’s current locations in Wilmington, Stanton/Newark, and Rehoboth Beach.

The merger will result in a greater ability to innovate, centralize, and reduce duplication of
services; produce greater programmatic impact; and simplify access to services.
Both organizations are non-profit, no-kill agencies sharing complementary missions to support
animals and people in Delaware and the greater region, and that will continue with the merger.
Delaware SPCA and DHA have been collaborating for many years on animal transports, pet food pantry events, and sharing resources. This long history of collaboration positions the organizations well for a smooth merger implementation process.

After the merger, DHA’s Executive Director, Patrick Carroll, will serve as Chief Executive
Officer. Delaware SPCA’s Executive Director, Anne Cavanaugh, will serve as Chief Operating
Officer. The Boards of Directors of both Delaware SPCA and DHA have full confidence in Patrick
and Anne’s skills, talents, and experience to see the process through and support the future vision
of the combined organization. DHA’s Board of Directors is led by President Michele Ahwash, and
Delaware SPCA’s Board President is Representative Kim Williams.

“I am incredibly honored to lead this combined organization, which, collectively, has served
people and animals in Delaware for more than 200 years. We will bring together our strengths and
resources and continue to do great things throughout the state and region,” commented Patrick
Carroll, Executive Director of DHA. “I look forward to working with Anne and the Delaware
SPCA board and team to continue ‘giving a paw a hand’ and ‘making friends for life.’”

“We couldn’t be more excited to combine our experience and resources with the DHA team to
continue our lifesaving work,” said Anne Cavanaugh, Executive Director of Delaware SPCA. “By
coming together as equal partners offering complementary services, we expect to multiply our
collective impact, ultimately helping more animals and people in Delaware.”

During the transition period, both Delaware SPCA and DHA’s day-to-day operations, programs,
and services will continue as normal, without interruption. Those interested in learning more about DHA and Delaware SPCA can visit each organization’s website (delawarehumane.org,
delspca.org). As specific details are finalized during the merger implementation process, DHA and
Delaware SPCA will share updates via their websites and social media channels.

This press release was produced by the Delaware Human Association. The views expressed here are the author’s own.