Debbie Shaulis was hoping Mercer County Regional Council of Governments would not pass the buck and address a "very serious animal problem."

Instead, officials Wednesday did pass the buck -- to her.

Both sides agreed the problem exists, especially when it comes to cats.

Ms. Shaulis, of Pet Solutions, said there is no place to take stray cats, and some are rabid and have infected humans.

Outside of the Shenango Valley, there is no place to take dogs, she said. She also argued Mercer County Humane Society does not have the resources to properly investigate abuse and abandonment cases because the humane agent is a volunteer.

She offered these ways to address the problems: