Animal cruelty reporting procedures vary by county and municipality. If an animal is in immediate danger, call 911.
For non-emergency cruelty concerns, always begin by contacting your local police department (non-emergency line). Law enforcement will dispatch the appropriate animal control or investigative authority for your area.
Philadelphia residents may also report cruelty directly to ACCT Field Services or PSPCA Humane Law Enforcement.
Delco Dawgs is NOT a law enforcement agency, but if you are unsure who to contact, you may contact us and we will try to guide you in the right direction.
Animal control and cruelty investigations are handled by individual municipalities and their contracted providers.
WHEN TO REPORT:
If the animal is in immediate danger, call 911.
For non-emergency cruelty concerns:
Because procedures vary by municipality, always start with local law enforcement.
If you witness or suspect animal cruelty, neglect, or abuse, taking prompt action can make a real difference in an animal’s life. In Philadelphia, there are a couple of key organizations that respond to different types of animal welfare concerns.
Animal Care & Control Team enforces city animal control laws, investigates reports of violations, and responds to urgent situations involving animals. They also handle animal sheltering, lost pets, and animal ordinance complaints.
When to Contact Them
How to Report
Call: (267) 385-3800 (24/7)
Email: fieldservices@acctphilly.org
Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Humane Law Enforcement program focuses specifically on cases of animal cruelty and neglect under state law. They investigate serious abuse and seek to rescue animals and pursue charges when laws are violated.
When to Contact Them:
How to Report
Call: cruelty hotline at 1-866-601-7722
Email: cruelty@pspca.org
Fill out an online cruelty reporting form.
When you make a report, either to ACCT Philly or the Pennsylvania SPCA, it helps to include:
Reporting cruelty helps authorities act quickly and can lead to animals being rescued from neglectful or harmful situations.

Animal cruelty investigations in Chester County are typically handled through local law enforcement, often in coordination with contracted animal control providers.
HOW TO REPORT:
If the animal is in immediate danger, call 911.
For suspected cruelty or neglect:
Many municipalities in Chester County work with regional animal welfare partners, but law enforcement should always be your first call.
Animal cruelty investigations in Montgomery County are typically handled through local law enforcement, often in coordination with contracted animal control providers.
HOW TO REPORT:
If the animal is in immediate danger, call 911.
For suspected cruelty or neglect:
Many municipalities in Montgomery County work with regional animal welfare partners, but law enforcement should always be your first call.
Copyright © 2026 Delco Dawgs Rescue - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.