Three agencies that help animals in the Shenango Valley have teamed up to help our four-legged friends.

A ribbon cutting took place Saturday at the Shenango Valley Animal Shelter to help recognize area organizations that make it their mission to protect dogs, cats and all pets from neglect and abuse. 

They've come together to create a new initiative called "The Advocates of Animals United."

"We each have a mission, but all of our missions encompass protecting animals, so we have to work together," said Duane Piccirilli, Chairman of the Shenango Valley Animal Shelter. "We are the animal shelter for Hermitage, Farrell, Sharon, West Middlesex, Wheatland, and Shenango. Today when we were getting ready, someone bought a Chihuahua in that was neglected and abused, and we had to work with the Humane Society to get a vet to look at the dog. We're hoping it will survive. The reality of what is happening is that animals are being abused, animals need to be protected, and that's why we are joining forces."

For groups like the Humane Society of Mercer County, they get the worst of the worst when animals come into its care.

"We give vet care, we put them in foster families a lot, and foster to adopt. We don't have a building, so we have been working with the Shenango Valley Animal Shelter to help board some of the animals we have to take," said Ally Mack-Gordon, President of the Humane Society of Mercer County. "We have four humane officers that answer calls. The shelter works with strays, so we all should be working together for the benefits of animals. "

Tails of Hope in Hermitage also provides a critical service of spay and neutering, so there are no more unwanted animals with no homes and fewer neglected or abused dogs and cats.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce say the collaboration among the groups is essential. 

"The three agencies working together in synergy is progressive for our area," Sherris Moreira, the Executive Director of the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce. "The millennials are the largest pet owning demographic, so if we are going to attract younger professionals we have to have this quality of life amenity in place, so this is a big deal in terms of helping attract people to this area."

Sharon George will be hosting one major fundraiser for all three organizations in honor of her great grandmother who came here on the Titanic as a baby.

That fundraiser is set for August 17th at 4 pm through the evening in Mercer.

"We are looking for sponsors. We are looking for advertisers. We are going to have fabulous auction items, a live auction item, wagons of cheer, a wine of cheer and all kinds of fabulous things," said George.

More information will be released about where to purchase tickets for this event at a later date.