Author: Bethany Kloc

Join us in the Northtown Subaru showroom from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 25 to meet some of our adorable cats and dogs and find your new furry best friend!

Pre-approval is necessary, but it’s easy! Just bring your identification with your current address, and we’ll help you get started. And if you’re thinking about adopting a cat, please bring a cat carrier. Dog leashes, collars, and other supplies will be available for sale from our Petique!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to meet your best friend!

SPCA Serving Erie County Offers Free Adoptions to Current and Past Military Members During Special Limited Edition of Vets & Pets!

The SPCA Serving Erie County is excited to bring Vets & Pets back to the community for a limited time, generously sponsored by Nancy Haberman-Gacioch, a long-time friend of the SPCA!

During this event, adoption fees for most animals will be waived for individuals and immediate families of those on active duty, reserves, honorable discharge, as well as service-disabled veterans and retired military personnel.

Take advantage of this opportunity at the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca location!

Photos of adoptable animals can be found here >>.

Adoption hours can be found here >>.

Military ID or DD214 will need to be presented. If an individual is currently serving outside of New York State, that individual’s spouse can adopt during Vets & Pets if a military spouse identification card is presented. Adopters can apply the Vets & Pets waived adoption fee promotion toward a total of two animals.

Please contact SPCA Adoptions Supervisor Mindy Ussrey with any questions: (716) 875-7360, ext. 210.

SPCA SERVING ERIE COUNTY NEARING CRISIS SITUATION: HIGH NUMBER OF ANIMAL CRUELTY RESCUES AND LOW ADOPTIONS MAY FORCE SPCA TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE ANIMAL ADMISSIONS

SPCA animal cruelty investigators say they are on track with the rising number of animal cruelty arrests this year as compared to last year’s exorbitant increase. October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021, there were 13 animal cruelty arrests amidst hundreds of animal cruelty cases, nearly double the year prior, and this year’s numbers remain high. October 1, 2022, to July 17, 2023, there have already been seven animal cruelty arrests by the SPCA in Erie County. This year is different, however, in that more of these cases are felony cases. That means the circumstances are more severe and more complicated, with animals requiring much more care and attention with longer lengths of stay.

Types of cruelty cases include beating, abandonment, animals left outdoors in extreme heat without water or shelter, and animals living in unsanitary conditions.

The SPCA is seeing an increase in the number of cruelty cases due to the following situations: cost of living increases, uncared for mental health conditions, increases in substance abuse, and post-COVID-19 conditions including the expiration of the eviction moratorium and the return to in-person work. In addition, access to spay/neuter surgeries was extremely limited during the pandemic resulting in a severe overpopulation of dogs.

Reports of an increase in animal cruelty are not just coming from the United States. A January 2023 article from the World Animal Foundation states that in the United Kingdom, the rate of abuse of just dogs has risen by 16% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that, worldwide, animal cruelty complaints have increased by 55% in the past 10 years.

Care and housing for these animals most in-need and at-risk must be prioritized by our organization in terms of space, veterinary care, and resources. This, combined with adoptable dogs and cats who have been with the SPCA a prolonged period of time, means that kennels and cages are filled and the SPCA is close to reaching maximum capacity. We must continue animal cruelty investigations and rescues while continuing to provide the best care possible to the animals awaiting adoption, especially the longer-stay residents who require more time and attention to keep them mentally and emotionally stable despite extended stays in kennels and cages.

As we provide care for animals most in-need and at-risk, we may be forced to close animal admissions for an extended time. We can, however, still offer assistance to those seeking ways to keep their pets or provide community resources to those looking to surrender pets, to those who require veterinary care, and more.

How you can help with these emergency needs:

From Surrender to Serendipity: Emily’s Heartwarming Reunion with Ranger

In February, Emily faced a difficult decision and surrendered her beloved dog, Ranger, to the SPCA, knowing that it was the best course of action. Recent hardships, including the loss of a job and an apartment, made caring for Ranger difficult for Emily as he was undergoing costly skin issues that were becoming unmanageable. Emily knew the SPCA would give him the best possible veterinary care and find him a loving new home.

One day last week, Emily was at a park in the West Seneca/Buffalo area with her friends. As they strolled through the park, Emily was struck by a familiar bark that caught her attention right away. Intrigued, Emily quickened her group’s pace, wondering whether the source of the bark could possibly be Ranger. Tears welled up in Emily’s eyes as she drew nearer, and to her astonishment, it was indeed him! Overwhelmed with emotions, Emily couldn’t believe her eyes. Emily asked if the dog was Ranger and the new owners confirmed that it was him! The serendipitous reunion left everyone amazed by the remarkable coincidence.

Perhaps the most astonishing aspect was that this park was always a favorite spot for Emily and Ranger, because he loves the creek there!

Since the moment Ranger was surrendered, thoughts of him had frequently occupied Emily’s mind. However, seeing him in person once again was a deeply moving experience. Ranger was happy and he was larger, fluffier, and remarkably healthy! Emily expressed profound gratitude to the SPCA saying, “I want to thank the Erie County SPCA for taking the time to care for him and help place him into a good home.” She also extended a heartfelt thank you to Ranger’s new owners, acknowledging their commitment to providing him with a wonderful life. Ranger is an extraordinary dog, and although Emily misses him dearly, she wishes him and his new family all the best! #SPCACompassionInAction

Officer Lindsey Wood, a dedicated 19-year veteran of the SPCA, was checking a Facebook lost and found page Monday afternoon when she stumbled upon an unusual post. A woman was shocked when she discovered a 4-foot iguana perched in a tree in her backyard! Officer Wood responded, advising the woman that iguanas cannot thrive in our environment and suggested she call the SPCA for assistance.

Almost immediately, the homeowner called SPCA dispatch, and SPCA Officers Wood and Maleskis embarked on a mission to the Clifford Heights neighborhood in Amherst. Upon their arrival, they spotted the iguana luxuriating on a powerline. Aware of the potential hazards associated with powerlines, they promptly contacted National Grid US for guidance. Jeff Wagner from National Grid came out and kindly offered his expertise and reassured the officers that the iguana was situated on the phone lines, posing no immediate danger.

Encouraged by this information, they decided to attempt a rescue operation. It required an hour of hard work, and Officers Wood and Maleskis, accompanied by Mr. Wagner, successfully retrieved the iguana and secured it in a carrier!

Once safely retrieved, the SPCA officers brought the iguana to Dr. Hess at Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center. Dr. Hess conducted a thorough examination, revealing that the iguana, now named Clifford, was in good health and had not sustained any injuries. He is currently recuperating comfortably at the SPCA after his grand outdoor escapade.

The SPCA and Clifford extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their help in getting our new friend into safe hands! Their contributions exemplify the compassionate spirit of the SPCA! #SPCACompassionInAction


(And remember…when you visit to find your true love…we’d LOVE it if you’d
also consider making a donation at our Welcome Desk when you’re adopting!)

SPCA Takes Part in Maddie’s Fund We Foster Challenge

By Melanie Rushforth, Vice President of Veterinary Services

The SPCA Serving Erie County has been awarded funding for demonstrating success through the Maddie’s Fund We Foster Challenge! The SPCA Serving Erie County has not been awarded funding from Maddie’s Fund since 2019, so this is extra exciting for us.

The We Foster Challenge was designed to help shelter and rescue organizations create or expand community-based foster programs that inspire community members to get involved by proudly saying, “We foster! So can you!” As we shift towards a more community-centric model of animal welfare, it’s important to get everyone in the Western NY area involved. After all, fostering is a job just about anyone can do. Pet owners know the incredible bond that humans and animals have and the importance of keeping families together. Foster care is a powerful way to achieve that. That’s what the We Foster Challenge was all about. The process from start to finish involved an initial pitch of an innovative idea; selection to move onto the working portion of the challenge; reporting out on the results of the challenge; waiting while the experts at Maddie’s Fund evaluate our outcomes…and AWARD!

Throughout the month of May, the SPCA Serving Erie County highlighted Shadow Cats as our We Foster Challenge project. Shadow Cats is an ongoing internal initiative which works to meet shy or fearful cats where they are behaviorally to assist them in navigating the journey to becoming adoptable pets living out the rest of their lives in long-term homes. We are seeing a positive response regarding the acceptance of these shy cats just the way they are, so we expanded the adoption opportunities and housing of these cats to colony settings within the SPCA’s physical shelter as well. If you come to the SPCA, you’ll notice that one of our beautiful colony rooms is dedicated to a group of gorgeous Shadow Cats. While some Shadow Cats need to get out of the shelter to showcase their personalities, some are best kept with their buddies in the colony rooms that we have in our modern shelter. We let the cats help us understand what they need.

Shadow Cats are the best friend you don’t yet have. They are quiet, stealth, and maybe just need a little extra time to acclimate into your home before they settle into being a lap cat. Or perhaps they’ll remain the quiet and polite roommate that is grateful for your companionship and company…. from a distance. Shadow Cats offer the benefit of companionship without the burden of constant attention. They’re great pets for individuals that work from home, or individuals who might work nontraditional shifts. They’d be great roommates in apartments (they don’t need too much space!)

Pets are like people in so many ways, so why wouldn’t some of them be a little shyer than others?

This exciting Challenge was funded by Michelson Found Animals Foundation, Maddie’s Fund® and Cuddly in collaboration with Adopt-A-Pet.com, Adoptimize, American Pets Alive!, ASPCA, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, Best Friends Animal Society, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE), Community Cats Podcast, Greater Good Charities, HeARTS Speak, Humane Society of the United States, National Animal Care and Control Association, Petco Love, and PetSmart Charities. We are so grateful for the recognition of our part in this important shift in the work of animal welfare. This funding will allow the SPCA to continue to support animals needing a soft place to land outside of the shelter walls, and the supplies required of their loving foster families.

Want to get involved with fostering (or even adopting) your own Shadow Cat? Please contact the SPCA Serving Erie County’s Foster Care Department via email at FosterCare@YourSPCA.org or visit their page!

Get Email Updates

Share